Best Places to Camp

[SarahS]

Calling all camping fans! We want to hear your favorite places to pitch a tent. Our story below lists seven great U.S. campsites, but we'd love to hear your best camping experiences from all around the world.

Related Story
Top Seven Summer Camping Spots

[Metravellongtime]

I recommend Hawaii. Hawaii has so many great state parks -- and camping is often free! The best part is that you don't have to pay through-the-roof prices for Hawaii hotels when you choose to camp

[Beef Jerky]

Firstly, Death Valley National Park is not in Nevada, it's in California. And secondly, I do agree that camping there is an unforgettable experience. Yosemite is also a great place to camp, but getting a reservation for one of the valley campgrounds is not easy. You also have to deal with the thousands of other visitors to the park. Oh, and the park entrance fee is $20 no matter which campground you stay in. Sequoia National Park is a great place to camp....big trees, peace and quiet and lots wildlife. One of my favorite places is Patrick's Point State Park in Northern California. The campground is under a canopy of trees and the whole area is just green.

[CarolineC]

Hi Beef Jerky,

Thanks for posting your comments!

Death Valley is located in California and Nevada. But thanks for pointing that out -- I've changed the article to show that Death Valley is in California, too!

Secondly, to get into Yosemite National Park by car, the fee is $20. Visitors only have to pay $10 to enter the park on foot, horseback, motorcycle, or on a non-commercial bus. This is all on the Yosemite National Park Web site. Daily camping fees start at $5, and I've changed my wording to make this clearer.

I appreciate your imput on camping and I hope you'll continue to share your travel experiences with us!

[kidshare]

Devils Postpile National Monument and surrounding campgrounds run by Reds Meadow. About 13 miles west of Mammoth Lakes, in a deep canyon containing the Middle Fork San Joaquin River. Nearby attractions and easy hikes are Rainbow Fall, 101 ft and if the sun is shining you're guaranteed a rainbow, the Postpile, an unusual columnar basalt formation exposed by glaciation, Minaret Falls, numerous lakes, hot springs, soda springs, and trails. Great place for fishing, hiking, and my favorite ~ rock collecting. The Pacific Crest and John Muir trails criss-cross there. Reds Meadow also has two pack stations in the canyon if you would like to rent a horse or a mule.

[Bobsled]

I have been camping in Colorado for over 40 years. I am a native Texan, born in Houston. We would often escape the July / August heat by spending 1-2 weeks in the Colorado Rockies. My favorite camp ground is Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. Whether you have small children or are an empty nester, you can find lots to do around Colorado Springs.

Top 3 activies are: 1. Ride the Cog railroad to the top of Pikes Peak, 2. Hike to the top of Seven Falls and look out over the city, 3. take the kids to North Pole Santas workshop. This is a great activity area for pre-teens.

[bbrite]

I love the great southwest. Places like Big Bend N.P. in Texas.
The Gila wilderness of Southern New Mexico. My fave is a little
known place in Nothern New Mexico, called the Bisti Badlands.
Well off the beaten path, this unique place is full of odd formations
and hoodoo's carved by wind,water and time. A must see, I
highly recommend.

[R.Matthews]

For the past twenty years I have been tent camping all around the U.S. My family and I are trying to visit at least one campground in every state. We have made it to 33 states so far, our criteria for a great camping spot include the following: mountains/beautiful terrain, hiking trails, weather, and activities at or near the campground. While we haven't made it to Death Valley or Yellowstone yet, after reading your article they are definitely on our radar. While it's hard to narrow it down to just one, here is a list of our top five places that we have camped at.



Everglades National Park - Florida
Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Gatlinburg, TN
Palomar Mountain State Park - San Diego, CA
Springmill State Park - Mitchell, IN
Lamoine State Park - Ellsworth, ME

[jocap]

We're surrounded by camp sites here....some plusher than others, some basic or even wild. Lots of caravan parks, and chalets, and there's even some yurts with log burning stoves inside! We're on the coast to coast path, the west coast path and the Hadrian's Wall cycle way, as well as on the edge of the national park, so lots of visitors.
I prefer the caravans, as my weary bones grow old.... and make that double glazed and centrally heated, please!
Jo.

[jounderw]

Thanks for the suggestions and I find this thread very helpful. My favorite place to camp is in the Smoky Mountains. Its amazing to drive through, stop by, or camp out there day or night. Its so gorgeous. I am from the Midwest so we always camp in the Smokey Mountains every time we head to FL or GA or SC.