The 15 Most Scenic Places to Camp in the United States

The beauty of the natural world is a profound and captivating force, and nowhere is this more evident than in the scenic camping spots scattered across the United States.

From the awe-inspiring grandeur of mountain peaks to the serene beauty of coastal vistas, the country boasts a wealth of locations that offer more than just a place to set up a tent. Each of these places provides a unique experience, allowing campers to immerse themselves in landscapes that range from the majestic to the idyllic.

In these locales, you can marvel at night skies unblemished by city lights, offering stargazing opportunities that connect you to the cosmos in ways unimaginable in urban settings. The diversity of the American landscape ensures that every camping trip can be a unique adventure.

Whether you’re waking up to the sound of waves on a pristine beach, nestled in the heart of a dense forest, or surrounded by the imposing presence of ancient mountains, these camping spots are not just about spending a night under the stars.

They’re about experiencing the unbridled beauty of nature, where every sunrise and sunset becomes a memory, and every moment spent is a testament to the breathtaking splendor of the great outdoors.

Most Scenic Places to Camp

Springdale

Springdale, adjacent to Zion National Park in Utah, is a scenic camping destination. The area, primarily a desert, offers limited shade and experiences hot summers with temperatures often above 95°F.

Popular campgrounds like South and Watchman are near Zion’s south entrance, featuring basic amenities such as picnic tables, fire pits, and flush toilets. The Virgin River enhances the area’s beauty. Reservations are essential during the busy season from mid-March to late November.

Zion Canyon Campground, offering a variety of facilities including showers, power hookups, and laundry services, caters to different camping preferences, blending comfort with the wilderness. This area is ideal for experiencing the natural splendor of Zion National Park.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona is a premier destination for camping enthusiasts, offering breathtaking views and a variety of camping experiences. The park is divided into the South and North Rims, each offering distinct landscapes and camping options.

The South Rim, open all year, is more accessible and popular, featuring the Mather Campground with no RV hookups and the Trailer Village with full RV hookups. For a more secluded experience, the Desert View Campground provides a peaceful setting with no reservations required, operating on a first-come, first-served basis.

The North Rim Campground, open seasonally, offers a more wild and private camping experience. It’s important to note that reservations for campgrounds within the park are highly recommended due to their popularity and can be made up to six months in advance​​​​.

Glacier National Park, Montana

Glacier National Park in Montana, often referred to as the “Crown of the Continent,” is a pristine wilderness offering a spectacular camping experience. With glacier-carved peaks and crystal-clear lakes, the park is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.

The Going-to-the-Sun Road provides stunning views of diverse landscapes, and the park boasts over 700 lakes for water activities. Campers can encounter wildlife like grizzly bears and moose, and the park offers an extensive network of trails for backpacking adventures.

The short summer season from June to September is the best time to visit, and due to the park’s popularity, planning your visit well in advance is advisable​​.

Acadia National Park, Maine

Acadia National Park, located on Maine’s Mount Desert Island, is a unique blend of coastal beauty and mountainous terrain. The park offers mesmerizing views of the Atlantic Ocean meeting the rocky shoreline, with famous spots like Thunder Hole and Otter Cliffs.

One of the highlights is witnessing the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the East Coast. Acadia is a hiker’s paradise, featuring an extensive network of trails suitable for various skill levels.

The park also provides opportunities for island exploration through scenic boat tours. To avoid crowds, consider visiting during spring or fall​​.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina/Tennessee

Straddling the border of North Carolina and Tennessee, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a realm of enchantment with its misty mountains, lush forests, and diverse wildlife.

Scenic drives like the Cades Cove Loop Road offer chances to spot various animals, and the family-friendly Laurel Falls Trail leads to the park’s most famous waterfall. The park caters to both front country and backcountry camping, allowing campers to immerse themselves in the natural beauty under ancient trees.

The park is a year-round destination, each season offering its unique charm, so packing layers for changing weather is recommended​​.

Zion National Park, Utah

Zion National Park in Utah is a red rock wonderland, attracting adventurers and photographers with its sandstone cliffs and the iconic Narrows hike.

Zion Canyon, the park’s heart, is easily accessible through the shuttle system, providing access to trailheads and viewpoints. The park also caters to climbers, with routes for all skill levels.

Due to its remote location, Zion offers some of the darkest skies in the country, perfect for stargazing. When planning a visit, consider the less crowded months from November to March for a more tranquil experience​​.

Olympic National Park, Washington

Olympic National Park, encompassing nearly a million acres, is a mosaic of diverse ecosystems including glacier-capped mountains, old-growth rainforests, and wild coastlines.

The park offers a variety of camping experiences, with campgrounds like Fairholme, Hoh Rainforest, Kalaloch, Mora, and Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort, each providing unique environments. For example, Fairholme Campground is situated along the picturesque Lake Crescent, offering lakeside campsites and a nearby boat launch.

In contrast, the Hoh Rainforest Campground immerses campers in a lush, mossy temperate rainforest environment. The park’s diversity and vastness make it an ideal destination for those seeking both adventure and tranquility in nature​​​​​​.

Joshua Tree National Park, California

Joshua Tree National Park, known for its stark desert landscapes, is a haven for campers and outdoor enthusiasts. The park is characterized by its iconic Joshua trees and rugged rock formations, offering a unique camping experience.

Campgrounds like Jumbo Rocks and Hidden Valley are popular for their proximity to hiking trails and rock climbing opportunities. The park’s clear desert skies also make it an excellent spot for stargazing. While amenities are basic, the beauty and tranquility of the desert environment provide a memorable camping experience.

It’s a perfect destination for those looking to connect with nature and enjoy the serene beauty of the California desert.

Haena Beach Park, Hawaii

Haena Beach Park, located on the edge of the stunning Na Pali Coast in Hawaii, offers a unique oceanfront camping experience. This campground is an affordable alternative to the expensive accommodations in Kauai, allowing campers to wake up to glorious sunrises and panoramic ocean views.

While swimming and snorkeling are not safe at Haena Beach itself, these activities can be enjoyed at nearby Tunnels Beach.

The campground’s proximity to the Na Pali Coast also provides opportunities for hiking and exploring the breathtaking landscapes of Kauai. This beach park is ideal for those seeking a tropical camping experience with stunning coastal scenery.

Salmon River Campground, Idaho

Salmon River Campground in Idaho is set in the beautiful Sawtooth National Forest, offering an outdoor adventure paradise. Located along the Salmon River, this campground is popular for activities like fly fishing, rafting, and mountain biking.

With the jagged Sawtooth Mountains as a backdrop, it provides a scenic and tranquil environment for campers. Wildlife enthusiasts may also spot deer, elk, and occasionally bears.

The campground offers direct river access, making it a prime spot for fishing enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Its picturesque setting and abundance of outdoor activities make it an excellent choice for those seeking an immersive nature experience.

Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park, Oregon

Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park, located on Oregon’s central coast, offers a year-round camping experience in a coastal rainforest park. The park is renowned for its scenic beauty, with pink rhododendrons blooming in spring and blackberries and huckleberries ripe for picking in autumn.

In summer, campers can enjoy freshwater lakes for swimming and other water sports. The park also provides direct access to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, offering a unique landscape for exploration.

With two miles of sand dunes extending from the campsites to the Pacific Ocean, it’s a haven for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. This campground is perfect for those looking to experience the diverse landscapes and activities of Oregon’s central coast.

Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland

Assateague Island National Seashore offers a unique camping experience on a 37-mile-long barrier island known for its wild horses. The island’s campgrounds is open from March 15 through November 15. It provides diverse options including Oceanside Drive-in, Oceanside Walk-in, and Bayside Drive-in sites, each offering picnic tables and fire rings.

The Oceanside Walk-in sites, ideal for tents, are situated near parking areas. The Bayside Drive-in also features a generator-free zone for a quieter experience.

Advanced reservations are highly recommended, especially for weekend stays, as sites tend to fill up quickly. Campers should come prepared with necessities like local firewood, sunscreen, insect repellent, and long tent stakes for anchoring in the sand.

State Forest State Park, Colorado

State Forest State Park in Colorado offers a wilderness experience across 71,000 acres of forest, jagged peaks, and alpine lakes. Known as the moose viewing capital of Colorado, it is home to over 600 moose.

The park is ideal for a variety of outdoor activities, including camping, hiking, four-wheeling, horseback riding, skiing, snowshoeing, telemarking, snowboarding, snowmobiling, fishing, hunting, birding, wildlife viewing, and geocaching. With diverse environments and activities, it caters to all seasons.

The park’s campgrounds, such as Ranger Lakes, North Michigan, Bockman, and North Park, provide amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets, with some offering electric hookups and facilities like flush toilets, showers, and a laundromat​​​​​​.

North Rim Campground, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

North Rim Campground, situated in the remote and rustic North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, offers a tranquil camping experience at an elevation of 8,200 feet. Surrounded by a thick forest of ponderosa pines and aspens, the campground provides a serene environment with stunning views of the canyon.

This location is particularly known for its spectacular scenic overlooks and its proximity to the North Kaibab Trail. The campground features sites with picnic tables and fire rings, but no RV hook-ups are available. It operates seasonally and is known for its breathtaking autumn colors due to the aspens.

The North Rim area, while more remote than the South Rim, offers a quieter and more intimate experience with the Grand Canyon​.

Tuolumne Meadows Campground, Yosemite National Park, California

Tuolumne Meadows Campground in Yosemite National Park, California, is a popular choice for those seeking high-altitude camping experiences. Situated at about 8,600 feet elevation, it offers a stunning environment with its high alpine meadows, granite domes, and clear glacial lakes.

The campground provides basic facilities such as fire rings, picnic tables, and food lockers, and is near bathrooms with drinking water and flushing toilets. However, it’s important to note that the campground is undergoing a major rehabilitation project and will remain closed through the 2024 season.

The campground, located on the Tioga Road, is ideal for hiking, and visitors can enjoy the serene beauty of the surrounding wilderness area. When open, reservations are necessary for many of the campsites, and it’s advisable to plan well in advance due to the campground’s popularity​​​​​​.

Final Thoughts

The United States offers an array of scenic camping destinations that cater to a diverse range of preferences. Each location presents its unique blend of natural beauty and adventure, providing unforgettable experiences for outdoor enthusiasts.

These camping spots not only offer a chance to disconnect and immerse oneself in nature but also present an opportunity to create lasting memories amidst some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the country.