23 Most Scenic Places to Camp in the United States

Sleeping out under the stars is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the wonderfully diverse landscapes of the U.S. From the evergreen forests of Maine to secluded beaches in Florida and Alaska’s majestic mountains, there’s no shortage of scenic places to camp across the country.

Some of the most picturesque spots to pitch a tent come with amenities like picnic areas, hiking trails, and opportunities for fishing, swimming, and other outdoor activities. Others have none of the above and can be reached only by a backcountry hike or a four-wheel drive track. Some are iconic; others are off the radar. Here are 23 of the most scenic places to camp in the U.S., from Hawaii to Maine.

Yosemite National Park, California

Camping in Yosemite National Park is an American rite of passage. Nearly 95 percent of the park is designated wilderness, and there are 13 campgrounds within its 747,956 acres, as well as backcountry camping for people who want to really rough it. You won’t find a Yosemite campground that isn’t scenic, but Upper Pines is special. It offers views of the park’s two granite giants, El Capitan and Half Dome. You have to plan ahead to camp there, though, as spots sell out five months in advance.

Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada

A 45-minute drive from Las Vegas, Valley of Fire State Park contains a quiet camping oasis surrounded by dramatic red mountains. There are two campgrounds inside the park, Arch Rock Campground, with 29 sites, and Atlatl Rock Campground, with 44 sites. Established in 1935, the park is home to petroglyphs dating back to before the Common Era. Campers are surrounded by curious rock formations and gorgeous vistas of the park’s signature red sandstone.

Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland

The Assateague Island National Seashore is just south of Ocean City, offering 37 miles of beaches for crabbing, biking, water sports, and more. Though the park straddles the border of Maryland and Virginia, camping at Assateague is available only on the Maryland side. The sites are oceanfront, so prepare to anchor your tent right into the sand and wake up to the island’s wild horses outside your mesh window. You can camp here any time of year, but you have to make advance reservations for camping during the high season, mid-March to mid-November.

Haleakalā National Park, Hawaii

Haleakalā National Park is known for its 10,023-foot dormant volcano, which is a great spot for sweeping views of Maui’s natural landscape. Designated campsites are available in the Kīpahulu and Hosmer Grove campgrounds, while the park’s historic wilderness cabins provide a more upscale “glamping” experience. Those seeking something a little more primitive can try the Hōlua and Palikū wilderness camping areas. No matter what style of camping you’re into, you must make reservations ahead of time to camp here throughout the year and are only allowed to stay three nights per 30-day period.

Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

About a 90-minute drive from Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park offers more than 500 miles of trails, including the popular but strenuous 9.4-mile trek up Old Rag Mountain that’s a must-do for avid hikers (book your day-use ticket ahead of time online). This glorious park, spread out over about 200,000 acres, offers plenty of views of lush forests and waterfalls. There are five campgrounds to choose from, all open from early spring to late fall. Most campsites can be reserved online up to six months in advance, but some are first come, first served. You can text SHENCAMP to 888777 to get updates on when those sites become available.

Acadia National Park, Maine

Located on Mount Desert Island, Acadia National Park is the Pine Tree State’s natural jewel. The park boasts nearly 50,000 acres of forests, 24 lakes and ponds, and 158 miles of hiking trails, offering a scenic backdrop for all your adventures. You’ll also find five campgrounds to set up your tent: Blackwoods (close to Bar Harbor), Seawall (less touristy), Schoodic Woods (situated on the Schoodic Peninsula), Duck Harbor (located on Isle au Haut and only reachable by mailboat), and Wildwood Stables (available only to guests traveling with horses). Reserve campsites online up to 60 days in advance. All campgrounds close during the winter and reopen in May.

White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire and Maine

If you’re up for a rugged hike, look no further than the northernmost section of the Appalachian Valley, located near the start (or end) of the Appalachian Trail. The sights in White Mountains National Forest are particularly magical during the fall when leaf-peeping season is at its peak. Here, you’ll find several campgrounds and cabins, from fully developed campsites fit for families to stark backcountry spots better suited to those who enjoy wilderness camping. The Barnes Field and Hancock campgrounds are open year-round. Barnes Field sites must be reserved ahead of time from mid-May to mid-October but are available on a first-come, first-served basis during the winter, while group sites at the Hancock campground can be booked anytime.

Minnewaska State Park Reserve, New York

A roughly 2.5-hour drive from New York City, Minnewaska State Park Reserve sits on Shawangunk Ridge more than 2,000 feet above sea level and surrounded by rocky terrain. That’s a lot of space to hike, bike, and — especially — enjoy the view. Reservations for the Sam F. Pryor III Shawangunk Campground can be made online starting each year in March, as it’s closed during the winter months. There are 50 tent sites (24 walk-in sites and 26 drive-in sites), as well as five car-camping sites, and amenities such as Wi-Fi, coin-operated showers, communal fire pits, and picnic pavilions.

Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida

One of the world’s largest barrier reefs is right outside your tent when you camp at Dry Tortugas National Park, located just off the coast of Key West in South Florida. Campers can rent snorkel gear, spend their days relaxing on the beach, or check out Fort Jefferson, a 19th-century fortress used by the Union army to blockade Confederate shipping channels during the Civil War. This area is also great for stargazing and bird-watching, so pack a pair of binoculars. Camping at Dry Tortugas means planning ahead: bringing everything you’ll need (including fresh water, ice, food, and fuel), carrying out all trash, and booking ferry transportation from Key West as early as possible, as tickets tend to sell out months in advance.

Big Bend National Park, Texas

If you’re looking for a great place to go rafting, canoeing, and kayaking, Big Bend National Park along the Rio Grande in Texas is an excellent choice. There are also trails along the park’s desert, mountain, and river landscapes for hiking or backpacking. You’ll find three developed campgrounds (Chisos Basin, Rio Grande Village, and Cottonwood), an RV camping area, and plenty of opportunities for backcountry camping. All Big Bend campgrounds require advance reservations, and permits are required for river trips and use at the park’s backcountry sites.

Ozark–St. Francis National Forests, Arkansas

Arkansas has loads of countryside that is often overlooked. In the Ozark–St. Francis National Forests, you’ll find 1.2 million acres of recreational space, nine beaches, many lakes and streams, and more than 400 miles of hiking trails. Campers can choose between a number of developed campgrounds for RV and tent camping, some of which are open year-round, including Cove Lake, Redding, and the Blanchard Springs Recreation Area. Other campgrounds, such as Long Pool, Storm Creek, Shores Lake, and Lake Wedington, are open from May through October. Primitive camping is also permitted within designated areas — just remember to bring your own water (or a water filtration device) and leave no trace.

Badlands National Park, South Dakota

Don’t underestimate the beauty of the Badlands. The temperatures might be extreme and unpredictable, but it’s still gorgeous. Between the many rock formations you’ll see throughout Badlands National Park, you’ll also find prairies and places to peek at ancient fossils. The two Badlands campgrounds are Cedar Pass and Sage Creek. The former offers 96 campsites, scenic views of the rock formations, and amenities such as running water and electricity. The latter is a smaller campground with 22 first-come, first-served sites and no running water, but it puts you in a better position to see the bison wandering around.

Sawtooth National Recreation Area, Idaho

Idaho’s steep Smoky Mountains offer stunning views, reminiscent of something out of a Bob Ross painting. There are dozens of places to camp in this vast wood, but one of the best spots is the 756,000-acre Sawtooth National Recreation Area. It’s a fantastic place to go hiking, canoeing, or cycling, and you get awe-inspiring mountain views right outside your tent. About half the campgrounds welcome campers on a first-come, first-served basis, but you can also make reservations ahead of time to make sure you get a spot. The camping season starts in late May and lasts until mid-September.

Glacier National Park, Montana

There are 13 developed campgrounds and more than 1,000 sites here, so you can stay and bask in the beautiful views of Montana’s magnificent Glacier National Park. Hikers can also enjoy more than 700 miles of trails through forests, meadows, and mountains. Several of Glacier’s campgrounds are available on a first-come, first-served basis, while others require advance reservations. Check the website to see which of them will be open if you plan on doing some wintertime wilderness camping; otherwise, the main camping season is spring through fall.

Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Just north of Jackson Hole, you can peek at the Rocky Mountains and see plenty of wildlife and lakes. Grand Teton National Park is also located next to the National Elk Refuge, where you can spot hundreds of elk depending on when you go. There are more than 1,000 campsites to choose from in the national park, but those at Signal Mountain campground arguably have the best reviews. An RV park and a village with tent cabins are also available should you prefer something beyond traditional tent camping. Whatever you do, reserve as far ahead as you can, since online reservations for campsites open up to six months in advance and tend to fill up quickly. Keep an eye out for roaming bison, mule deer, and moose, as well as the occasional bear.

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests, Colorado

With more than 3,000 miles of trails and three million acres of public land, you’re guaranteed a beautiful view of the Rocky Mountains in Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests. The area’s 56 campsites are set in a variety of landscapes, including in open meadows and evergreen forests, amid mountains, and on lakeshores. Most are open seasonally, while a select few stay open all year long — check the website for road conditions beforehand if you plan to camp during the winter months.

Arches National Park, Utah

Nothing beats sleeping amid the red rocks of Arches National Park. One of the park’s most popular hikes, the Delicate Arch Trail, takes you on an amazing trek full of photo opportunities. Arches has only one campground, Devils Garden, which offers 51 campsites, although there are other places to camp nearby in the Moab area. Due to the campground’s popularity in high season, reservations are required for stays between March 1 and October 31. Campsites are available first come, first served from November through February.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Sleeping on the rim of the Grand Canyon is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The South Rim is easier to get to, which means it can get pretty crowded. For a more secluded stay, try the North Rim, which is actually about a four-hour drive from the more touristy side. There’s one North Rim campground inside the park and another just north of the park boundary, both open from mid-May to mid-October. Several sites along the South Rim are open year-round, including the Mather Campground and Trailer Village in South Rim Village. Two other South Rim spots, Desert View and Tusayan Montane, are only open seasonally.

Olympic National Park, Washington

In Olympic National Park, you can camp right along the beautiful coastline, which is marked by several sea stacks. There are actually 15 different campgrounds, some next to the ocean and others in the rain forest, so you can choose from a variety of landscapes. While most are first come, first served, some allow advance reservations for stays in the summer.

Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

Crater Lake National Park is home to the country’s deepest lake (1,943 feet!) and a sleeping volcano, so there are plenty of photo opportunities for nature lovers. Campers are welcome to pitch their tents or park their RVs in the forest at Mazama Campground, open only in the summer. Choose a spot that looks out over Annie Creek and its namesake canyon for the best views. For a more primitive, quieter option, there’s also backcountry camping with a permit.

Joshua Tree National Park, California

There are nine campgrounds located throughout Joshua Tree National Park, including Jumbo Rocks, which is known for its big boulders that shelter sites from the wind. Camping in this desert oasis means sleeping among the rocks and iconic Joshua trees, under a seriously dark sky prime for stargazing. Booking ahead is highly recommended — especially if you’re planning a trip during holidays, on weekends, or throughout the busy season, between November and May. Summer is a low season for this park, as it can reach temperatures of 100 degrees or higher.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, California

Even better than seeing some of the biggest trees in North America is sleeping beneath them. Camping in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks is an otherworldly experience that immerses you in natural history. Some of these trees are thousands of years old. Choose from 14 scenic campgrounds — including Grant Grove Village, the foothills of Sequoia National Park, the Lodgepole and Giant Forest areas, Cedar Grove, and Mineral King — and make your reservations in advance. All campgrounds are open spring through fall, while just the South Fork, Potwisha, and Azalea sites are open all year long.

Denali National Park, Alaska

It’s no secret that Alaska has some of the most beautiful scenery in the United States, and Denali National Park is one of the state’s natural highlights. It offers about six million acres of land full of wildlife, beautiful trails, creeks, and mountains, including North America’s tallest peak. There are six established campgrounds, with Wonder Lake offering the closest view of Denali’s peak. Sadly, the campground will remain closed until 2026 following a landslide, but you might be able to snag a view of the mountain from Savage River Campground on a clear day. To get deeper into the park and perhaps spot some more wildlife, opt instead for Teklanika River Campground.