The Best Place to Camp in Every State
One of the best things about exploring all the best camping spots around the United States is witnessing just how astonishingly diverse its natural landscapes are. In a single road trip, you could find yourself cruising through the arid high desert in central California, then sleeping under the stars in a patch of old-growth rainforest in northern Washington.
Not only is exploring the country’s vast expanse of public lands good for your mental health, camping on them is the best way to beat the crowds to your morning hike and catch an unhurried sunset vista when the day is done. So, as the weather warms up and outdoorsy plans begin to take shape, we’ve put together a list of our favorite place to camp in every single state, including Puerto Rico.
To make sure that our list was affordable and accessible, we’re skipping options found on Hipcamp (a platform like Airbnb that lists outdoor stays and camping experiences on privately owned land) and sticking with the basics–every spot on this list sits within the national or state parks system. Lace up your boots, air out your tent and read on for our A-to-Z guide to the best camping spots in America.
This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
All products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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Alabama
Best camping in Alabama: Cheaha State Park
Most travelers don’t go to Alabama for the mountain views, but this 77-site campground flips the script. Meaning “high place” in Creek, Cheaha State Park is set at a breezy 2,407 feet above sea level and provides an amenity-rich woodland haven (we’re talking bathhouses, fire rings, and electrical hookups), catering to hikers, bikers, and climbers.
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Alaska
Best camping in Alaska: Wonder Lake, Denali National Park
Arguably the spot with the most tantalizing view of Denali, Wonder Lake is a wilderness seeker’s dream. Accessible by shuttle bus, this tents-only primitive campground sits lakeside in the vast Alaskan tundra, amidst crimson dwarf birch shrubs.
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Arizona
Best camping in Arizona: Desert View Campground, Grand Canyon National Park
Escape the tourist throngs of Grand Canyon Village and enjoy a quieter, simpler camping experience at Desert View. Located a stone’s throw from the craggy maw of the Grand Canyon, these first-come, first-served sites are a shady, private place to unwind, in the midst of a juniper grove.
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Arkansas
Best camping in Arkansas: Petit Jean State Park
RVers, tenters, and Yurt-lovers will revel in the multitude of camping options and creature comforts at Petit Jean State Park. Explore the sandstone boulders of Bear Cave and hike to 95-foot Cedar Falls, before an afternoon kickback in the swimming pool (you read that right).
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California
Best camping in California: Upper Pines Campground, Yosemite National Park
Set smack in the middle of that famous Yosemite Valley granite, the year-round Upper Pines Campground is a fantastic place to beat the park’s notorious traffic, because it’s a stone’s throw from notable sights like Cook’s Meadow, Mirror Lake, and the scenic, 12-mile bike path.
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Colorado
Best camping in Colorado: Moraine Park Campground, Rocky Mountain National Park
Tucked into an elk-filled valley near attractions like Bear Lake and Glacier Gorge, this high-altitude getaway is ideal for view-seekers and avid hikers. Come for the year-round availability, stay for the jaw-dropping Rocky Mountain sunsets.
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Connecticut
Best camping in Connecticut: Rocky Neck State Park
It’s true—swimming in the Long Island Sound, fishing for saltwater bass, and hiking among marshland waterfowl can all be found less than an hour drive from New Haven. After a day spent lounging on white sand beaches, stargaze right from your tent, while serenaded by the pops and crackles of the campfire.
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Delaware
Best camping in Delaware: Cape Henlopen State Park
Sink your toes into the sand at this 7,000-acre oceanfront campsite. Beloved by fishers and stand-up paddleboarders alike, the newly renovated campground offers amenities galore (like laundry and a camp store) while providing easy access to the park’s beaches, historic Fort Miles Museum, and tidal salt marshes.
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Florida
Best camping in Florida: Bahia Honda State Park
Sip your morning coffee with a view of the electric blue waters of the Florida Keys. Bahia Honda’s white sand beaches, frilly palm trees, epic snorkeling, and impeccable night skies feel more like the Caribbean than the U.S.
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Georgia
Best camping in Georgia: West Rim Campground, Cloudland Canyon State Park
It’s hard to believe that cascading waterfalls, thousand-foot-deep canyons, and rugged sandstone cliffs can all be found in one place, least of all Georgia. But, impressively, Cloudland Canyon makes it happen. Overnight guests can choose between backpacking, car camping, or splurging on a cottage that’s spitting distance from the best views.
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Hawaii
Best camping in Hawaii: Polihale State Park
Pitching your tent on the soft sand of Polihale State Park is about as close to heaven as you can get–if you can brave the dirt road to get there, that is. Here, the intrepid traveler (with a 4-wheel-drive vehicle) is rewarded with shaded oceanfront picnic tables, impressive sunsets, and epic views of the towering sea cliffs of the Nāpali Coast.
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Idaho
Best camping in Idaho: Glacier View Campground, Sawtooth National Forest
With striking views of 10,229-foot Mount Heyburn, shaded sites tucked among fragrant lodgepole pines, and easy access to one of the most stunning lakes in the state, it’s no wonder that Glacier View is one of the most sought-after campgrounds in Idaho. Hikers will appreciate the dozens of miles of nearby trails, while water lovers can float or paddle in nearby Redfish Lake.
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Illinois
Best camping in Illinois: Pharaoh Campground, Garden of the Gods Recreation Area
From its knobby, lichen-encrusted spires to its behemoth rust-colored rocks, Garden of the Gods is a park that lives up to its name. Solitude seekers will love the panoramic sunset views and the park’s shady, crowd-free campground of 12 first-come, first-served sites.
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Indiana
Best camping in Indiana: Dunewood Campground, Indiana Dunes National Park
The high, sandy hills of Indiana Dunes might seem more at home in the Sahara than along the southern edge of Lake Michigan, but the uniqueness of this geological wonder is what’s kept travelers coming back for over 100 years. Ready to stretch your legs? Explore the park’s amazing biodiversity along the 4.7-mile Cowles Bog Trail.
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Iowa
Best camping in Iowa: Backbone State Park
It’s not all flat farmland in Iowa. Since 1920, Backbone State Park has been a celebrated recreation area, boasting one of the state’s best geological wonders: the Devil’s Backbone, a steep ridge of river-carved bedrock. Hikers can explore amongst twisted cedars and cliffs of dolomite limestone, and rock climbers will love the park’s plentiful steep routes.
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Kansas
Best camping in Kansas: Historic Lake Scott State Park
The western edge of Kansas contains a multitude of natural wonders, like forested canyons, sparkling lakes, and rocky bluffs that dominate the famously flat expanse of the rest of the state. Historic Lake Scott State Park centers around a 100-acre spring-fed lake surrounded by old growth ash, elm, and cottonwood trees, perfect for the camper looking to fish, stand-up paddleboard, boat, or hike the 3-mile Lake Scott West Loop.
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Kentucky
Best camping in Kentucky: Middle Fork Campground, Natural Bridge State Park
Kentucky’s Red River Gorge is an area revered by climbers for its flaky, Corbin sandstone, but travelers also come for the magnificent views and gargantuan stone arch. Hike or take the SkyLift to nab that perfect photo, then doze off to the burbling of the campground’s creek.
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Louisiana
Best camping in Louisiana: Chicot State Park
Cyclists, backpackers, anglers, and water lovers of all stripes flock to Chicot State Park for its eerily scenic, swampy bottomland hardwood forest. Choose between 198 “improved” campsites, which offer water and electrical hookups, or get back to roots at one of the area’s six first-come, first-served backcountry campsites.
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Maine
Best camping in Maine: Blackwoods Campground, Acadia National Park
Snuggled into a lush forest of spruce and hemlock, Blackwoods Campground provides a centrally located shady solace for adventure seekers in Acadia. Climb Cadillac Mountain for a spectacular sunrise show, dip your feet into the water at Sand Beach, and marvel at the craggy coastal headland of Otter Point.
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Massachusetts
Best camping in Massachusetts: Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
After a quick ferry ride from Boston, campers can revel in the wildflowers, tidepools, and sandy shores of the Boston Harbor Islands. They’re a history lesson by day, too: Explore Civil War-era Fort Warren, before retreating to a hidden beach campsite on Lovells Island.
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Michigan
Best camping in Michigan: Twelvemile Beach Campground, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Few campgrounds at Pictured Rocks come with a lake view, which makes Twelvemile Beach all the more desirable. Pitch a tent among stands of white birch and gaze out at the deep blue vastness of Lake Superior. And don’t miss kayaking around the park’s namesake rock formations—rentals and tours are available in nearby Munising.
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Minnesota
Best camping in Minnesota: Woodenfrog Campground, Kabetogama State Forest
As one of the only water-based parks in the system, finding a launchpad for Voyageurs National Park can challenge the most seasoned road tripper. Our tip: Rent a boat from a local operator, and set off for the Ellsworth Rock Gardens and the tiny, deserted islands of Lake Kabetogma. Or, simply splash around in the lake’s warm waters at Woodenfrog’s own swimming beach.
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Mississippi
Best camping in Mississippi: Tishomingo State Park
Rich with Native American history, Tishomingo State Park takes its name from a leader of the Chickasaw Nation. Its location in the foothills of the Appalachians makes this woodland park and campground perfect for peaceful hiking excursions and family float trips down Bear Creek.
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Missouri
Best camping in Missouri: Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park
Beat the Missouri heat by splashing around in the boulder-strewn waterfalls and swimming holes of Johnson’s Shut-Ins. This well-appointed campground is a stone’s throw from the Black River, and locals love the walk-in campsites for their ample space and privacy.
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Montana
Best Camping in Montana: Many Glacier Campground, Glacier National Park
Though it’s tricky to nab a coveted reservation at this storied national park campground, those who do will be rewarded with sweeping panoramas of the Northern Rockies and easy access to mirror-clear Swiftcurrent Lake. After a hearty camp breakfast, get your heartrate up on a trek to Iceberg Lake or the Grinnell Glacier Viewpoint.
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Nevada
Best camping in Nevada: Valley of Fire State Park
40,000 acres of flame-red Aztec sandstone and 2,000-year-old petroglyphs are what make Valley of Fire, near the metropolis of Las Vegas, truly remarkable. Here, two campgrounds boasting a total of 72 units offer travelers creature comforts like shade areas, showers, RV hookups (water and power), and a dump station. Don’t miss the 1-mile hike to the aptly-named Rainbow Vista.
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New Hampshire
Best camping in New Hampshire: Lafayette Place Campground, Franconia Notch State Park
Easily one of the best spots for leaf-peeping in October, Franconia Notch is also a brilliant summer destination for hikers looking to hop onto a stretch of the Appalachian Trail and traverse the Franconia Ridge. Set right on the banks of the Pemigewasset River, this forested campground is as close as you can get to those scenic White Mountain trails as well.
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New Jersey
Best camping in New Jersey: Worthington State Forest
Worthington State Forest is a breath of fresh air for Garden State residents—and just an hour drive from Newark. Hike to the top of Mount Tammany and gaze out at the verdant, rolling hills of northern New Jersey, before curling up in your sleeping bag on the banks of the Delaware River.
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New Mexico
Best Camping in New Mexico: Three Rivers Campground, Lincoln National Forest
With White Sands’ backcountry camping area closed for the moment, it can be tricky to find a scenic alternative that’s within easy driving distance to the park. Luckily, remote Three Rivers Campground really delivers the goods. Not only can you stargaze while beating the heat here (the sites sit at a lofty 5,000 feet), visitors can also take a .5-mile trail to marvel at one of the largest petroglyph sites in the Southwest.
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New York
Best camping in New York: Letchworth State Park
Colloquially called the “Grand Canyon of the East,” Letchworth State Park is revered for its striking river gorge, with cliffs as high at 600 feet. 66 miles of hiking trails through noble fir and white spruce await avid hikers, while rafters and kayakers can try their hand at descending the Genesee River. The campground even offers a bridle path for equestrians.
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North Carolina
Best camping in North Carolina: Mount Pisgah Campground
Spanning 469 miles from the Great Smoky Mountains to Shenandoah, the Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most scenic roads in the country. Situated on its southern end near Asheville is Mount Pisgah, a breezy high-altitude respite from the summer heat. Don't miss the three-mile trek to its summit, followed up by a burger and local brew at the Pisgah Inn.
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North Dakota
Best camping in North Dakota: Cottonwood Campground, Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Often touted as the landscape that made Roosevelt into the “conservationist president,” North Dakota’s colorful badlands, cheerful prairie dog towns, and herds of bison combine to make the national park a wonder to behold. Set on the banks of the Little Missouri River, Cottonwood Campground offers excellent wildlife viewing, plus fire rings and picnic tables for nights around the campfire.
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Ohio
Best camping in Ohio: Old Man’s Cave Campground, Hocking Hills State Park
From its deep, rough-cut gorges to its eerie hemlock groves, Hocking Hills is the perfect place for shady walks (and maybe even a little forest bathing, if that's your thing). Old Man’s Cave, named after a hermit who lived in its caverns in the late 1700s, is the most popular site in the park drawing explorers of all ages with its impressive rock formations and waterfalls.
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Oklahoma
Best camping in Oklahoma: Old Circle Campground, Robber’s Cave State Park
Once used as a hideout for legendary outlaw Jesse James, Robber’s Cave State Park is now a sanctuary for outdoor lovers of all types. Hikers, bikers, equestrians, climbers, anglers, and paddlers alike will love the easy reservoir access, miles of trails, and rugged cliffs of the San Bois Mountains.
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Oregon
Best camping in Oregon: Eagle Creek Campground
Situated in the center of the action of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Eagle Creek Campground offers a glimpse into our nation’s history as the very first developed campground in the forest system. From camp, travelers can try to spot an osprey fishing or stroll along the basalt rock formations of the Eagle Creek Trail. Best of all, the famous Multnomah Falls is a short drive west.
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Pennsylvania
Best camping in Pennsylvania: Ricketts Glen State Park Campground
Ricketts Glen Campground sits atop a forested peninsula that juts into the pristine waters of Lake Jean. But lakeside hangs are far from the top activity in the park. Meander through beech and hemlock stands, while taking in the area’s 22 waterfalls, finishing at the most striking: the 94-foot Ganoga Falls.
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Puerto Rico
Best camping in Puerto Rico: Parque Nacional Balneario Seven Seas Campground
Park your tent just steps from the sea, at one of Puerto Rico’s beloved, crescent-shaped beaches. Soak up the Caribbean sunshine and snorkel right off the sand, then grab a rental car and switch gears for a short drive into the El Yunque rainforest.
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Rhode Island
Best camping in Rhode Island: Charlestown Breachway
To overnight at Charlestown Breachway, campers will need their own “self-contained rig” (that's a motorhome in layman's terms). It’s a steep price of admission, but it allows RV owners, renters, and avid van-lifers a front row seat to some of the best saltwater fishing in the country. All sites are within walking distance to a sandy beach, providing breathtaking views of Block Island Sound.
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South Carolina
Best camping in South Carolina: Devil's Fork State Park
Don’t let the name fool you—Devil’s Fork is home to some of the most heavenly, mountain spring-fed waters in the state. Set on the tranquil edge of Lake Jocassee, this largely undeveloped park is full of opportunities for freshwater scuba divers, trout lovers, and paddlers hunting for obscure waterfalls.
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South Dakota
Best camping in South Dakota: Elk Mountain Campground, Wind Cave National Park
Though the park is famous for its enormous caverns full of boxwork and cave popcorn rock formations, Wind Cave is also extremely biodiverse. After settling in under a grove of ponderosa pines, search for bison herds on a scenic drive, or take in the rolling, golden hills on the Lookout Point Trail.
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Tennessee
Best camping in Tennessee: Elkmont Campground, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Set in the middle of the busiest national park in the country, the beautifully forested sites of Elkmont Campground are a fantastic place to set up base camp. 200 tent and RV sites with fire rings and picnic tables make post-hike feasts a cinch, and nearby, you’ll find trailheads for the mellow Little River Trail and Elkmont Nature Trail, both of which are great for trying to spot wild turkeys and deer.
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Texas
Best camping in Texas: Chisos Basin Campground, Big Bend National Park
Perched atop an uncharacteristically green island in the sky, the Chisos Basin does not feel like Texas. Mountain lions and black bears roam free among the jagged, rust-colored cliffs, and the arid Chihuahuan Desert sprawls out thousands of feet below. If you're looking to hike, the campground’s 69 sites are the perfect jumping off point for the park’s best trails.
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Utah
Best camping in Utah: The Needles Campground, Canyonlands National Park
Next time you’re in Moab, skip the hustle and bustle of Arches and head to the remote Needles Campground in Canyonlands, where Mars-like sandstone rock formations soar above sites lined with fire rings and picnic tables. During the day, explore the rust-red rocks and otherworldly terrain on the Chesler Park Viewpoint trail.
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Vermont
Best camping in Vermont: Smugglers’ Notch State Park
We’ve got two words for you: fall foliage. Vermont’s got it in spades, and at Smugglers’ Notch, near Stowe, car campers can soak it all in at 20 tent sites and 14 lean-to sites. Summit Mt. Mansfield or traipse along the moderate Sterling Pond Trail, then return to amenities like showers, toilets, and an RV dump station.
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Virginia
Best camping in Virginia: Big Meadows Campground, Shenandoah National Park
Perfect for catching a glimpse of tangerine-hued autumn leaves, Shenandoah is home to over 500 miles of trails, over a hundred of which are along the transcontinental Appalachian Trail. Big Meadows offers many homey comforts (like hot showers) while remaining close to waterfalls, wildlife viewing, and the park’s famous Skyline Drive.
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Washington
Best camping in Washington: Hoh Campground, Olympic National Park
Sleep among moss-blanketed spruce, hemlock, and Douglas fir in one of the only temperate rainforests in the country. The first-come, first-served Hoh Campground allows travelers to spend the night right in the middle of the dense greenery. During the day, stroll along the 0.8-mile Hall of Mosses loop, and keep an eye out for bright yellow banana slugs.
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West Virginia
Best camping in West Virginia: Grandview Sandbar Campground, New River Gorge National Park
Of the free, primitive campgrounds offered at New River Gorge National Park, we like Grandview Sandbar best for its easy river access, shady picnic tables, and designated fire rings. In summertime, beat the heat by hopping into the cool water or busy yourself with a stroll at nearby Grandview Overlook before grabbing a burger and a pint at Smokey’s on the Gorge.
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Wisconsin
Best camping in Wisconsin: Quartzite Campground, Devil’s Lake State Park
As the most popular park in the state, Devil’s Lake has a lot of hype to live up to. Luckily, it delivers. Scramble up rocky outcroppings for a stellar view of the water, hike the East Bluff Trail, or rent a standup paddleboard and traverse the lake. The area hosts three large developed campgrounds, and Quartzite offers the best lake access.
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Wyoming
Best camping in Wyoming: Signal Mountain Campground, Grand Teton National Park
Tucked against the shoreline of immense Jackson Lake, Signal Mountain Campground serves up some seriously breathtaking views of Mt. Moran and the northern Tetons. This is a fabulous place to pitch a tent if you’re with kids or new to camping, as it lies in a developed park enclave with laundry, showers, a restaurant, and a marina nearby. When the weather’s sunny, rent a kayak and paddle to Donoho Pt. or lace up your boots for the nearby hike to Trapper Lake.
