We asked the BuzzFeed Community for their favorite campgrounds in America. Here's where you should pitch a tent this summer.
Some of these campgrounds are deep in the mountains, while others are right on the shore of a lake, or even an ocean. But no matter their location, all of them are great places to escape your day-to-day, take a deep breath, and appreciate the beauty of the great outdoors.
1. Jenny Lake Campground, Moran, Wyoming
2. Assateague State Park, Assateague Island, Maryland
"To camp here is to camp right on the beach, with wild horses everywhere. And it's affordable, too!" —hannahk4fbbd2a48
More info here.
3. Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Gooseberry Falls, Minnesota
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) has more than 1,500 miles of canoe routes, about 2,200 designated campsites, and tons of lake and streams and hiking trails — in other words, it's huge! "There are also 'leave no trace' rules in place to maintain the rustic, unadulterated wilderness. And even though there are portages and designated campsites, it's still pretty remote. It's a great place to just enjoy the present and take a breather. Be away from it all." —Bugle
More info here.
4. Lodgepole Campground, Three Rivers, California
5. Gone Creek (Timothy Lake) Campground, Sandy, Oregon
"For starters, this campground has an ~amazing~ view of Mount Hood towering over the lake — and who doesn't want to sleep that close to a dormant volcano for a week? Plus, the hiking trails are super nice and easy enough for beginners, the fishing is great, the lake is clean and extremely peaceful, the campground is small enough so you don't feel crowded if you go over a busy weekend, and a lot of the spots are right on the shore of the lake.
Even the drive there is breathtaking! When you see Mount Hood against a blue sky, surrounded by tall Douglas firs and the canyons, you can't help but feel even more small than you already are." —Katie Molnar, Facebook
More info here.
6. Lake George Island Campgrounds, Bolton Landing, New York
7. Two Harbors Campground, Catalina Island, California
Catalina Island is an island off the coast of Southern California; it takes about an hour on the high-speed ferry to get there. "And the campground on Catalina is absolutely gorgeous! It's right on the water, so you can hear the waves crash, and see all the stars — even satellites — on a clear night. It's so peaceful." —Missjessicakaye
More info here.
8. Chester Frost Park Campground, Hixson, Tennessee
One of the best parts about this campground is that you can camp on the water or in the forest — it's your call. "There are also clean bathrooms, friendly rangers, and friendly people. It's a gem — just ask the retired RV drivers who stay for months on end!" —Suzanne Johannes, Facebook
More info here.
9. Deception Pass State Park, Oak Harbor, Washington
10. Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington
11. Red River Gorge Campground, Stanton, Kentucky
"This campground has the best combination of amazing rock features, beautiful forest, and some of the greatest natural arches. There are hiking trails that run the gamut from easy to hard, and there are even unmarked trails that you're allowed to explore. There's also plenty of different kinds of spots to camp, ranging from the side of a gravel road to the edge of a creek to more developed facilities and cabins." —Linda Butts, Facebook
More info here.
12. Peanut Island Campground, West Palm Beach, Florida
"It's a tiny little island just a boat ride away from West Palm Beach, with beautiful palm trees, beaches, and a historic nuclear bunker that JFK stayed in!" There are about 20 campsites total, and the facility even has hot showers in the restrooms — score. —catherinek4e80323fb
More info here.
13. Sheep Pass Group Campground, Joshua Tree National Park, California
Located in the middle of Joshua Tree National Park, this campground is basically out-of-this-world by default — you have the whole park at your fingertips. "This place is simply surreal, and the bouldering is endless. You're surrounded by rock climbing routes and hiking trails. 10/10 would recommend to everyone." —jemps18
More info here.
14. Moran State Park, Orcas Island, Washington
15. Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground, Spencer, Tennessee
"Everything in the park is beautiful, the hiking goes from easy to very challenging, and the campground itself is gorgeous, well-maintained, and perfect for families." There are 222 campsites total, and there's even backcountry camping if that's your thing. —Katy Shaw, Facebook
More info here.
16. Big Sur Campground & Cabins, Big Sur, California
"It's in a more wooded area than, say, Pfeiffer Beach (the one famous for its purple sand), but it's magical there. There is a creek that runs right through the campground that you can camp next to if you're in a tent or trailer. They also have nice cabins, if that's more your camping style. The bottom line is that it's just so relaxing to walk through the trees and take in all the nature, while still being close to the beach." Plus, you've got all of Big Sur right there in your backyard! —kesnoz1210
More info here.
17. First Landing State Park, Virginia Beach, Virginia
"The actual beach feeds into Chesapeake Bay, which means it's calm, shallow, and full of cool wildlife to explore, which can be especially great if you have kids. There's great hiking, and the park even offers cool nature classes, so staying in the park for the day is quite easy. However, you're also only a five to ten minute drive from the heart of Virginia Beach, where there's a boardwalk with shopping, dining, clubbing, and amusement parks — so take your pick!" —sabbysass08
More info here.
18. Many Glacier Campground, Glacier National Park, Montana
One of the most popular campgrounds right in Glacier National Park, Many Glacier is surrounded by mountains and great hiking trails. There's even a trail that leads to one of the best glaciers in the entire park. Also, there's tons of wildlife around, like sheep, moose, and, yes, bears. "There's even a hotel nearby, the Many Glacier Hotel, if you need something to do for the day, or if it rains." —Rosie Morrison, Facebook
More info here.
19. Tuolumne Meadows Campground, Yosemite National Park, California
20. Skidaway Island State Park, Savannah, Georgia
21. Hither Hills State Park, Montauk, New York
"You are camping literally right on the beach, just behind the dunes. You spend your days swimming in the Atlantic Ocean or relaxing on the beach, catching a tan, barbecuing, playing volleyball, and going on nature walks and hikes where you can see piping plovers and ospreys. You can also leave the campgrounds and, if you drive just five minutes east, you will reach Montauk, which has shopping, restaurants, and the gorgeous Gosman's Dock, where you can buy local seafood to cook on the BBQ later.
At night, Hither Hills often has live music on the grounds, or movie screenings for children and families. And my absolute favorite part of camping there is the fact that you can see so many stars at night. It looks and feels like pure, celestial magic." —c4525725c4
More info here.
22. Big Bend Campground, Smoke Hole Canyon, West Virginia
Big Bend is located along a ~bend~ on the South Branch Potomac River — and because it's on the river, it's an ideal spot for tubing, kayaking, fishing, and swimming. "The river is crystal clear, and flows in a horseshoe around the campground. You jump in on one side, float in a tube for an hour, jump out on the other side, and cross the street to do it again!" —merryk2
More info here.
23. Warren Dunes State Park, Sawyer, Michigan
Lake Michigan is one of the most well-known vacation spots in the country, and for good reason: It's exactly what you picture a relaxing lake vacation to be. This campground, located right on Lake Michigan, fits right into that vision: "There's a dune to hike up, a nice beach, and a mud pit about miles down the beach. There are also amazing nature programs and storytelling on the beach." —sydneyl41e5b3759
More info here.
24. Ponderosa State Park, McCall, Idaho
25. Maumee Bay State Park, Oregon, Ohio
26. Governor Doge State Park, Dodgeville, Wisconsin
"It has two main areas to camp, two lakes, and tons of hiking and biking trails. There are some amazing bluffs, and even a little waterfall." —amandah42b9bf79c
More info here.
27. Four Mile Creek State Park Campground, Youngstown, New York
"This place has 275 camp sites with fire pits and places to park your cars, as well as fully equipped bathrooms with showers. It's great for families and people looking to car camp. It's also very close to Niagara Falls, and a short drive away from a grocery store if you need marshmallows for s'mores. There's lots of nature, too — highly recommend." —lelamtrainer
More info here.
So, who's ready for some serious nature time?
