The United States offers so many options for anyone looking to spend some time sleeping under the stars. There are almost 4,000,000 square miles of pristine beaches, soaring mountains, and crystal clear lakes where campsites are located nearby. However, not all campsites were created equal. Here are 5 suggestions for some of the best places to camp in the U.S.
Acadia National Park
Located in Maine, this is this national park has a little of everything. It has 6,000 ponds and lakes, and over 32,000 miles of rivers and streams, 17 million acres of forest, and is the ideal destination for any nature lover. You can hike to the summit of Cadillac Mountain just about dawn, and you’ll be the first person to see the sunrise in the United States that morning. With three campgrounds to choose from, there’s always somewhere that you can pitch a tent or park your camper.
Shenandoah National Park
Camping in Virginia? You won’t want to miss out on the opportunity to camp here. Located only 75 miles from Washington, D.C., it makes the perfect stop-over after you’ve spent some time exploring the nation’s capital. It has four campgrounds to choose from, containing about 500 miles of hiking trails to explore the Virginia wilderness on. Some of the better trails lead to beautiful waterfalls or magnificent view points. While recommendations are always recommended, the park does hold some sights for first-come-first-serve, so if you’re already in the area, you might as well stop by. You never know, you might get lucky!
Lincoln State Park
If you’d like a once-in-a-lifetime, you won’t want to miss out on camping at this state park located in Indiana. Named after President Abraham Lincoln, this 1,747 acre park was originally established as a memorial to Lincoln’s mother, Nancy Hanks, and marks the site of Lincoln’s boyhood home. It has two beautiful lakes nestled in its rolling hills and thick forest. Be sure visit the interpretive center and the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial Living Farm while you are there, where actors re-enact how Lincoln’s life would have been on the farm.
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Located in coastal California, this hotspot is where writers and artists have come for inspiration for decades. Located right off scenic Highway One, about 140 miles from San Francisco, it sits alongside Santa Lucia Mountains to provide some spectacular views. The park boasts more than 175 tent and RV campsites, including two group sites and a site dedicated to hikers and bikers. Reserve early for this popular park, however, as it can be booked out several months in advance.
Glacier National Park
Without any disrespect intended for any of the other wonderful camping locations included in this list, the best was saved for last. If you’ve never heard of Going to the Sun Road, you don’t know what you are missing. This 50 mile stretch of road winds through the mountains to offer some of the most breathtaking views in America. If you’re lucky, you’ll even get a chance to see wild mountain goats as you pull off in one of several pull-offs to take in the view. The park also boasts 700 miles of trails through open meadows, forests, and mountains. Stay at one of the 13 developed campgrounds, at one of over 1000 campsites. If you have no other reason to visit Montana, come for Glacier National Park. But watch out for the bears!
Visit any of these five locations the next time that you go camping, and have an experience unlike anything you’ve ever had before. Beyond any doubt, these are five of the best places to camp if you want memories that will last a lifetime.