The 20 Best Campsites In The United States
Exceptional campsites offer more than just a place to sleep; they provide an opportunity to connect with nature, observe wildlife, and experience stunning landscapes. Whether you’re pitching a tent, glamping, or camping in an RV, the United States is full of diverse, breathtaking campsites for all preferences.
Best Campsites for Beginners
1. Malaekahana State Recreation Area, Hawaii
Located minutes from the North Shore of Oahu, renowned for its surfing, Malaekahana offers a unique camping experience with the sound of waves crashing nearby. Choose between tent camping or parking a campervan directly on the beach. Amenities include toilet facilities, outdoor beach showers, and campfire rings. You can even rent bicycles, kayaks, and paddleboards or take surfing lessons.
Price: From $10 per night
2. Wolfe’s Neck Oceanfront Campground, Maine
For over 50 years, this non-profit campground has offered visitors the chance to camp along the scenic coast of Maine. With over 130 sites spread across 636 acres, beginners and seasoned campers alike can enjoy stunning ocean views. Don't have your own gear? No worries—comfort camping tents, complete with queen-sized beds and gas grills, are available.
Price: From $20 per night
3. Big Meadows Campground, Virginia
Just 75 miles from Washington, DC, Big Meadows in Shenandoah National Park offers expansive sites perfect for novice campers. Surrounded by hardwood trees, this site is a prime spot for enjoying the fall foliage. With easy access to the Appalachian Trail, it's a great introduction to the beauty of America's national parks.
Price: From $30 per night
4. Mammoth Campground, Wyoming
The only year-round campground in Yellowstone National Park, Mammoth Campground offers a basic camping experience with stunning views of geothermal features. Despite its simplicity, modern bathrooms and a nearby general store make this a beginner-friendly destination in the heart of wild Wyoming.
Price: $25 per night
Best Glamping Campsites
5. Ulum, Utah
Located near Moab, this glamping site gives adventure seekers easy access to both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Ulum offers a luxurious experience, featuring suite-style tents complete with king-sized beds, private bathrooms, and wood-burning stoves. Outdoor lovers can enjoy comfort while surrounded by Utah’s dramatic desert landscapes.
Price: From $624 per night
6. The Resort at Paws Up, Montana
This luxurious Western guest ranch spans 37,000 acres of rugged Montana wilderness. Offering six glamping camps, the site provides tent suites with plush king-sized beds, private decks, and en suite bathrooms. Guests can enjoy activities like horseback riding, fishing, and gourmet meals from an on-site chef.
Price: From $2,170 per night for two adults, including meals and activities
7. Collective Governors Island, New York
For a blend of luxury and urban access, try this glamping retreat just a short ferry ride from Manhattan. Stay in canvas tents or modern cabins with floor-to-ceiling windows, offering stunning views of the Statue of Liberty. A true oasis in the city, this site even offers nightly s'mores and a spa.
Price: From $600 per night
Best Backcountry Wilderness Sites
8. Havasupai Campground, Arizona
Reaching Havasupai Campground requires a 10-mile hike, but the reward is worth it: turquoise waterfalls, red rock cliffs, and serene desert scenery. This remote site requires a permit and some preparation, as campers must bring their gear and provisions. Restrooms and potable water are available.
Price: $455 for a three-night permit
9. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Wisconsin
Accessible only by watercraft, the Apostle Islands offer unique campsites nestled among old-growth forests and red sandstone cliffs. You can explore these remote islands by kayak or sailboat, enjoying the untouched beauty of Lake Superior’s wild coastline.
Price: From $15 per night
10. Garden Key, Florida
In Dry Tortugas National Park, this primitive campsite requires campers to bring all their own supplies. The remote island’s allure lies in its secluded beaches, clear waters for snorkeling, and proximity to one of the world’s largest barrier reefs.
Price: From $15 per night
Best Campsites for Campervans and Motorhomes
11. Bay Point Landing, Oregon
Tucked away in Coos Bay, Bay Point Landing offers a quiet, modern escape with full RV hookups, a heated saltwater pool, yoga classes, and communal spaces. Food trucks and a general store enhance the experience.
Price: From $50 per night
12. AutoCamp Cape Cod, Massachusetts
At this AutoCamp location, you can stay in a modern Airstream trailer complete with a private bathroom, kitchenette, and bedroom. The campground offers activities like yoga, live music, and oyster shucking classes, making it a unique stay for RV enthusiasts.
Price: From $206 per night
13. Mount Pisgah Campground, North Carolina
This serene site, set at 5,000 feet in the Appalachian Mountains, offers breathtaking views. With full hookups for campervans and easy access to hiking trails, Mount Pisgah is a top pick for campers who want a more traditional yet convenient experience.
Price: $30 per night
14. The Vintages Trailer Resort, Oregon
This campsite in the Willamette Valley offers 36 restored vintage trailers, each with unique decor, luxury bath products, pour-over coffee in the kitchenette, and an outdoor grill. Guests have access to a seasonal pool and cruiser bikes for exploring nearby wineries.
Price: From $108 per night
Best for social types
15. Miller’s Landing, Alaska
Located on the shore of Resurrection Bay, this campsite offers tent sites in a well-shaded grove or waterfront lodging options. Guests can explore the rocky beach, hike in Caines Head State Recreation Area, kayak around Kenai Fjords National Park, or sign up for a fishing charter.
Price: from $30 per night
16. Ramble Camp at Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
With views of the Sangre De Cristo mountain range, this campsite offers a range of options, from basic tent pads to luxurious sites with smokeless fire pits, outdoor kitchens, and Adirondack chairs. Each of the 25 campsites has access to hot showers, flushable toilets, and Wi-Fi.
Price: from $59 per night
17. Kalaloch Campground, Washington
Perched on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean and surrounded by old-growth trees, this campground in Olympic National Park is a popular destination. With 170 campsites, it’s an excellent base for exploring the coastal area, tide pools, and spotting sea otters and whales.
Price: from $24 per night
Best Campsites for Stargazing
18. Under Canvas Lake Powell-Grand Staircase, Utah
With DarkSky Lodging certification, Under Canvas offers the perfect stargazing experience. Cozy up in king-sized beds inside luxury tents and spend the night gazing at constellations far from light pollution.
Price: From $279 per night
19. Rio Grande Village Campground, Texas
Big Bend National Park’s vast desert landscapes offer some of the best stargazing in the United States. This campsite comes with basic amenities like flush toilets and fire rings, and it's perfect for campers seeking solitude under the stars.
Price: $16 per night
20. Death Valley Stargazing Camp, California
Known for its incredibly dark skies, Death Valley’s Stargazing Camp is an 80-acre property where you can enjoy unobstructed views of the night sky. Basic amenities include picnic benches, fire rings, and proximity to key attractions in the national park.
Price: $20 per night
