M. W. Byrne -HiConsumption.com
Camping is one of the most American activities you can do. While it might not have been invented in the colonies, the wide prairie ranges, open spaces, incredible wildlife, and diverse climates have made many parts of the U.S. international hotspots for people who get their thrills from spending time off the grid, communing with nature. In selecting our favorite places to pitch a tent in America, we had a huge list from which to choose. A lot of beautiful places landed on the cutting room floor, but we worked hard to track down the best campsites for everyone.
From the RV camper who takes their $100,000 home with them to the survivalist who puts a tiny hiking backpack on and disappears for a month, we sought out spots for everyone. We found urban campgrounds where pizza delivery is a phone call away, and trails far from civilization, where no one can hear you scream. Coastal sites, desert oases, mountainous climbs, and dusty valleys are all represented. If you like pitching a tent, hanging a hammock, or unwinding on a bedroll, one of the 21 best places to camp in the U.S. will suit you.
LUDINGTON STATE PARK, MICHIGAN
Pro: Wide terrain variance in a relatively small area
Con: Pet rules are restrictive
Please Everyone: If you have a family with a lot of different tastes, or if you want to switch up your experience from day to day, then Ludington will easily keep you entertained. You have swimming in Lakes Michigan and Hamlin, beach walks, kayak rentals, jet skiing, sand dunes, marshlands, and forests made for nature hikes. The campgrounds offer both year-round and seasonal accommodations.
Price: $8.40 a day
ARCHES NATIONAL PARK, UTAH
Pro: Several adjacent and nearby campgrounds
Con: Limited number of campsites
Stone Garden: Photo opportunities and challenging trails abound in the twisted Arches National Park where daunting red stones litter the ground with their weather-beaten buttresses reaching high into the sky. Camping is somewhat limited, though you can backpack around, so long as you prove you know what you’re doing. It’ss easy to get lost, so anyone who fancies a challenge along with some striking sights to behold is welcome.
Price: $10 per vehicle
HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK, HAWAII
Pro: Numerous light hiking or strolling trails
Con: It’s Hawaii, so campsites are expensive and space is limited
Liquid Fire: Hawaii is not known as a camping region due to the resort nature of much of the islands. However, there are a few spots to pitch a tent, and the Volcanoes National Park is one of the most stunning. In the evening you can look out where active volcanoes light up the sky, and during the day you can explore the strange rock formations and unusual flora that have managed to live near the caldera of a lava-spitting monster.
Price: $8 – $15 per vehicle
OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK, WASHINGTON
Pro: Huge choice of campgrounds and camping sites
Con: Very dangerous for solo missions
Ecological Marvel: The evergreen state has innumerable places for any outdoor enthusiast, but Olympic has more than just exceptional trees and hiking. It bears three completely different ecosystems, including a rainforest. Hike the hills or watch whales migrate when the season is right. Camp in any of the provided grounds, or spend $5 on a backcountry camping permit and put up your suspended tree tent in any of the massive forestland.
Price: $7 – $20
JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA
Pro: Wide differentiation in types of desert landscape
Con: Remember: It is still a desert, so take lots of water
The Sand Wastes: Sitting right at the juncture of the Colorado and Mojave desert, Joshua Tree is one of the few really arid places where camping is a delight. There’s more than 10 mountain peaks in the area if you like to hike, but if going vertical is more your style, strap on your rock climbing shoes and get ready for some serious scaling. This is a handy winter location since off-season rates apply and it never gets unbearably cold.
Price: $10 – $20
EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK, FLORIDA
Pro: Lots of locals will give you some strange tours if you ask around
Con: Pack bug spray or be eaten alive
Reptile Village: We don’t want to send you to a tourist trap, but within the 2,400 square miles, there’s plenty to do that isn’t in the brochure. Grab yourself a fishing kayak and a recurve bow, then head out for some of the most amazing game fishing you can imagine. Rent a canoe and find your own fun on the waterways, or pack along your favorite mountain bike to test the remarkably challenging trails.
Price: $5 – $10
LAKE MCCONAUGHY, NEBRASKA
Pro: Plenty of space to spread out and avoid crowds
Con: Very limited things to see in the area
Still Waters: Unless you like corn, there really isn’t much to see in Nebraska, but for watersport enjoyment without the coastal crowds, and some of the most laid back fishing you can imagine, this is idyllic. White sand beaches, boating, water skiing, and casting opportunities flourish around Lake McConaughy. It truly is a slice of paradise done Americana style. Dune buggy riders and those who enjoy desert adventures can hop over to the Nebraska Sandhills for a very different experience.
Price: $5 per day
WYALUSING HARDWOOD FOREST, WISCONSIN
Pro: Plenty of hunting and fishing opportunities
Con: Area can be dangerous during hunting seasons
Tree Hugger Retreat: When woodlands, botany, and hiking get your motor running, this is the place to find sun dappled glades full of some of the most astounding trees in the world. Due to the high arboreal content, amateur ornithologists will find all manner of nesting birds in the area who fill the woods with song. You’ll find less in the way of exciting activities and much more in the way of centering yourself in Zen calm.
Price: Free+
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, MONTANA
Pro: 700 miles of hiking trails
Con: Serious wildlife threat to the unwary and unprepared
On the Road: Parks and camping areas aren’t ordinarily known for how exciting their roadways are, but Glacier has the Going-to-the-Sun Road which is 50 miles of winding highway wending its way through the festival of nature for those who want a little hairpin mountain joyriding. Naturally, that isn’t all that the park has to offer for campers. More than a thousand standard camping spots and untold number of backcountry places nestled among the receded glaciers will entice any mountaineer armed with an ice axe.
Price: $15-$25