From slick full-service RV resorts to state-park-run sites in scenic spots and back-to-nature boutiques, campers are spoilt for choice in the US. Here we've picked out what we think are the best campsites in each US state that are bound to result in happy campers, and ranked them from 50th to first.
Click through this gallery to see which campsite came out on top...
Lakefront lounging, following forest trails into the mountains, and campfire cookouts are highlights of a stay at Zilpo Campground, set within the Daniel Boone National Forest. Pitches are dotted around the wooded shores of Cave Run Lake, located in the eastern highlands region of Kentucky. As well as sites for tents, there are RV sites with electric hook-ups and cabins.
Choice is one of this large family-friendly KOA campground's biggest assets, from its range of accommodation (tent sites, glamping sites, RV sites, and cabins) to the host of activities on offer. It has a fishing pond, a heated pool, two dog parks, a jumping pillow, trampoline basketball, and paddle boats. If you can tear the kids away, the location is top tier too: the surrounds are lovely and rural and it's easily accessible from state capital Des Moines.
Snuggled among white pine trees where owls, woodpeckers, and white-tailed deer are frequently sighted, campers get a true back-to-nature experience with the bonus of convenience at this laid-back site.
All of Tree Farm's sites have hook-ups and the shops and restaurants of Springfield are mere minutes away. There is a common room, play areas with games, free delivery service of firewood, ice, and camp supplies plus communal fire pits for chats and s’mores. There might not be a pool, but ask nicely and the staff will tell you where to find some secret wild swimming spots.
With a spectacular setting at the point where Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Henlopen has some sensational sandy beaches. Spend days crabbing, swimming, or seabird spotting then head back over the dunes to sleep.
The state park’s campground is set prettily among the pine-covered dunes right next to the Walking Dunes Trail. The tent sites are walk-in (so pack light), with some suitable for RVs with hook-ups. There are washroom facilities on-site.
Pitch up at this beautiful park on the Gulf Coast for top-notch camp facilities and gorgeous Gulf Coast views. The sprawling site has 206 premium pitches with full amenities, including 44 new luxury sites. There are also playgrounds, nature trails showcasing an array of coastal wildlife, and a seasonal waterpark right next to the campground, while the 18-hole disc golf course serves up less conventional entertainment.
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On summer weekends, Aquidneck Island is a magnet for families and day-trippers who come to explore historic Newport and spend lazy days on its beaches. If you want to stay for longer, Newport RV Park (formerly known as Melville Ponds Campground) in Portsmouth makes for an affordable and pretty base with roomy sites for RVs and tents along with airstreams for those who like things a little more glam. It has a store and hot showers, while the nearest beach, Sandy Point, is a short drive away.
Set among the Ozarks, this family-run (and extremely kid-friendly) park is located on a small farm. Ozark Farms has the full array of sites, from secluded creekside spots to partial and full electric hook-ups, so you'll soon find a spot that suits you.
Spend days exploring the land, meeting the animals, and visiting the veggie gardens. It’s five minutes to Fugitive Beach, a quarry-turned-waterhole with slides and sand that’s brilliant fun on a hot day.
Take your pick between large, wooded sites under the shade of cathedral pines or smaller lakeside sites (many with electric, water, and sewer hook-ups), then settle in to enjoy this special and secluded camping spot in western Maine. Summer brings with it a host of games and activities on-site, but days are easily filled at Papoose Pond simply messing about on boats and swimming in the lake or the on-site pool.
Central Minnesota is laced with lakes, rivers, and streams, creating perfect settings for a camping weekend. Go fishing, boating, or paddling across Turtle Lake and into the larger Partridge Lake, from Camp Holiday Resort & Campground, then bed down to sleep under the trees.
The long-running family-owned site is a firm favorite with outdoor adventurers, with sites ranging from full hook-ups to primitive tent sites. There are laundry facilities, a games room, and a store too.
A gorgeous lakeside location and modern amenities collide at this RV site and campground on the banks of Neely Henry Lake in northeast Alabama. The well-tended site offers full electric, water, and sewer hook-ups, as well as WiFi and decent bathrooms. A stay at Greensport RV Park and Campground is all about fishing, boating, picnicking, and swimming, whether in the lake or the site’s pool.
The kids, the dogs, and the grandparents – everyone will love camping out under the pine trees in this back-to-nature family-focused site on the edge of the Pachaug State Forest. As well as tent pitches, the aptly named Nature’s Campsites has RV sites and cabins.
Spend days enjoying its two swimming pools, fishing, and kayaking on the lake, swinging in the trees, or following hiking trails into the forest. Look out for special summer events like outdoor movie nights and hayrides too.
Shady by name and nature, scenic Shady Oaks Campground in the heart of the Ozarks sees RV and tent campers set up beneath oak trees in large sites with all the hook-ups. Open year-round, there’s a little camp store, a playground (with splash pad for hot days), laundry facilities, a propane fill station, and a games room. But the real fun lies a short drive away: the Buffalo National River is a hive of outdoor activities including kayaking, canoeing, hiking, fishing, rock-climbing, and mountain-biking.
History buffs will love this hidden-away campground on top of Poteau Mountain. The 55-acre Heavener Runestone Park is home to a large sandstone with carvings, thought by many to have been made by Vikings who used it as a boundary marker.
Campers can nab one of the few pitches with RV hook-ups or seek out the secluded primitive campsites deeper in the park. There is a shower house and toilets, a shop, a waterfall, nature trails, picnic areas, and, best of all, breathtaking views of the sunset from the lofty lookout points.
If waterside camping floats your boat, pitch up at this pretty resort right on the Lower Wisconsin River. It has sites for tents (both powered and primitive) and RVs along with cabins. Little ones will love paddling in Liza’s Lagoon, a shallow pond with inflatables, while older ones will want to launch themselves downriver on tubing adventures.
If you can tear them away from the water go for hikes or bike rides. Failing that, entice them out with the promise of pizzas by the river. The restaurant has live music in the summer.
A spacious and wooded site, Apgar is just the place to immerse yourself in the incredible beauty of Glacier National Park. It's the park's largest campground and is a prime spot for accessing hiking trails to Lake McDonald and the Going-to-the-Sun Road. During summer, ranger-led talks are held in the campground’s amphitheater in the evenings.
Once you’ve set up your camp somewhere along Saco River, this family campground promises long languorous days by (or on) the river. There’s kayak, canoe, and tubing rental nearby and a private sandy beach for catching the sun. RVs and tents are accommodated at the Beach Camping Area with both hook-ups and primitive sites, while the playground should keep the kids amused when they’re not in the water.
Lovely and leafy with a large outdoor pool, a mini-golf course, and a lake for paddling around, this full-service campground has wholesome family vacation written all over it. Go for a tent site and you’ll have a picnic table and fire pit, while RV owners can opt for a range of sites from basic to deluxe. Sun Retreats Rock River is a fantastic launch pad for exploring the waterways and historic towns of Illinois’ Great Rivers Country.
You'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to pitching up at Cedar Bluff State Park, a wooded tract of wilderness set along the shores of the Cedar Bluff Reservoir in Kansas’s Smoky Hills region. The peaceful park has some 96 campsites, with two large shower houses and picnic areas, and there are also numerous undesignated areas where you can set up for the night. Fishing, paddling, jet skiing, and shooting the breeze are what camping trips here are all about.
A perfect pitstop for families road tripping along the Blue Ridge Parkway, this Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort lies right in the mountains near the Luray Caverns and spectacular Shenandoah National Park. The only problem may be persuading the kids to get back in the car after they’ve discovered the joys of the splash pad, the three pools, the water slides, the pedal boats, the jumping pillows, laser tag, and the outdoor movie theater.
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For endless outdoor adventures take a running jump into this high-energy resort right next to New River Gorge National River. All the options are here, from lovely cabins of varying sizes to RV and tent sites; bring your own gear or rent a tent (it’ll be set up for your arrival).
There are 1,500 acres to explore in this private resort, from rock-climbing walls and rafting to mountain-biking and mud obstacle courses. Summer sees a huge waterpark set up on the spring-fed mountain lake with slides, ziplines, and inflatable water toys as well as musical festivals.
On the southwest side of Lake Siskiyou, this well-maintained camp has sensational views across to Mount Shasta and the Shasta Trinity National Forest. It’s all about having fun in the great outdoors at Lake Siskiyou Camp – you don’t even need to worry about setting up your camping stove as there is a restaurant and bar on-site and a store selling ice, firewood, cold drinks, and ice cream. There’s a bait shop for fishers too, bike hire, stand-up paddle boards, and kayak rentals plus an inflatable Splash Zone on the lake during the summer months.
Summer camping is pitch perfect at this wooded lakeside site in Ohio’s beautiful Hocking Hills. Dotted in among the trees, sun-dappled tent sites are in prime position for evening drinks watching the sun set over Lake Logan.
Campbell Cove also has generous sites for RVs and cabins. Days are about fishing, swimming, and kayaking or following hiking trails to discover caves, cliffs, and waterfalls. Handily, the resort has a pool, playground, and store.
Nestled in the Wood River Valley of central Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains, scenic Sun Valley sings in both summer and winter (it’s a top destination for winter sports enthusiasts). Camping is a fabulous way to experience its raw beauty, and Meadows RV Park allows you to do it in comfort with full hook-up sites, bathrooms, laundry facilities, and WiFi. It’s right by Wood River Trail, so take bikes. The super-dark, star-filled night skies are impressive too.
Swap everyday life for this leafy enclave in the Catskills. Pitch a tent, park an RV, or cozy down in a cabin: all the choices are on offer with plenty of room, hook-ups, and fab facilities.
Go for the Ledges sites to camp in seclusion, tucked away by an ancient rock wall, or choose River’s Edge to kip by the Plattekill Creek. Loved-up campers should secure a spot in Lover’s Lane, a couples-and-tents only corner. There’s a general store, a pool, and a place to buy soft-serve ice cream. Bliss.
You can rely on Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts to bring the fun and this one in Quarryville, in Southern Lancaster, is no exception. Find the perfect spot for your RV or tent among its 63 wooded acres, which connect to a lovely county park, then seek out the water zone, pools, hot tub, giant jumping pillow, laser tag, and nature trails along Stewart Run Creek. The kids will love making new friends over s’mores at the communal fire pit before bed.
Load up on supplies and slip away for a few secluded days lapping up views of Lake Superior. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore has three rustic drive-in campgrounds: Little Beaver Lake (eight sites), Hurricane River (21 sites), and Twelvemile Beach (36 sites).
The latter is the best option for water views thanks to its scenic setting on a sandy bluff above the lake. This campsite is all about the location as, bar a table, fire ring, and pit toilet, there are no amenities. But who needs showers when you can go for a dip in Lake Superior?
Itching for some fresh air and stirring scenery? Then Theodore Roosevelt National Park is the place to be. Behold the bewitching badlands of North Dakota by staying at Juniper Campground, situated on the banks of the Little Missouri River.
One of two in the park, it’s a down-to-earth affair that accommodates tents and both vehicles and RVs. There are no hook-ups and few facilities but it’s right next to the trailheads for several stunning hikes where wildlife sightings abound.
It’s hard to imagine a more dramatic spot to park your RV or pitch your tent than the Fremont Canyon Campground, set at the mouth of Fremont Canyon under its rose-hued cliffs. Bar toilets and picnic tables, there are no frills at this rustic campground, just raw natural beauty wherever you set your gaze. There’s a reason the site is popular – the sense of isolation, rugged beauty, and total absence of WiFi keeps pulling visitors back.
It’s all about the views, both day and night, at Navajo-owned The View Campground, located on the Navajo Nation and the Navajo Tribal Park at Monument Valley. There are RV sites (non-powered) or wilderness tent sites, all with access to toilets and shower facilities. Follow sandy hiking trails to the sandstone buttes, watch otherworldly sunsets across the valley, and then, after cooking up a storm by the campfire, sit back and gaze up at the star-spangled sky.
Swim, picnic, snooze, repeat. Lazy sun-kissed days on the sand or under the pines is what camping by Lake Tahoe is all about. Set by the lovely sandy Nevada Beach on Tahoe’s east shore, the wooded Nevada Beach Campground is managed by the Lake Tahoe Basin US Forest Service, with sites for both tent and RV camping. It’s basic but beautiful with picnic tables, campfire rings, and charcoal barbecue grills for each site along with communal flush toilets and drinking water.
As the only campground on Martha’s Vineyard, this family-run site can get booked up.
The wooded grounds make for lovely sun-dappled pitches where tents, pop-up trailers, and campervans are welcome. Most have water and electric hook-ups and all come with picnic tables and fire rings for alfresco cook outs. There are rustic log cabins too, as well as a playground, a camp store and rental bikes to pedal off around the island’s many bike paths.
With hiking trails laced around its hills, mountains, and ridges, Brown County State Park is one of the best places to go hiking and backcountry camping in Indiana. In summer, seek out secret swimming spots and in fall go for glorious hikes among trees that glow in the low sun. There are 401 electric sites at the park’s Buffalo Ridge, Taylor Ridge, and Raccoon Ridge campgrounds, as well as non-powered ones. There are shower rooms and a store at the entrance too.
Lying along the Chinook Pass Scenic Byway in Yakima Valley, Whistlin' Jack's Outpost & Lodge is a special spot to camp. Set up a tent or drive your RV into the forest to relax under old-growth pine trees and drink in the peace and tranquillity of this well-planned and maintained site by Naches River. Campers have access to the main lodge, which dates back to the 1950s, where they can find a well-stocked grocery store, a historical bar, and riverside dining.
Cumberland Island, a windswept, dune-packed barrier island along Georgia's southern coastline, has several camping spots – but the standout site is the Stafford Beach Campground.
It's back to basics here, but it's well worth it, as walk-to tent sites are nestled beneath gnarled trees dripping in Spanish moss. You'll be moments from a sandy beach too – one that's often visited by Cumberland Island's famous wild horses. There are also flushing toilets, cold showers, and fire rings with grills.
Tent and RV sites nose right up to shimmering Chesapeake Bay at this campground in eastern Maryland. There's two-point hook-up with water and electricity for RV owners and all guests can keep busy with the games room, sports courts, kids' playground, and campfire pits. Best of all, though, are the epic sunrises and sunsets that light up the bay – get front row seats with a waterside plot and a well-placed camping chair.
It’s the added extras that makes Camp A Way a surefire hit with its campers, especially little ones. Fun times are guaranteed thanks to the heated pool, water slide, and water balloon station. Bikes and pedal karts can also be hired to whiz around the site and there are opportunities to have a go at gem mining.
Adults and dogs aren’t neglected, though, with an indoor spa and a huge dog park. The leafy site offers cabins, full hook-ups for RVs, and creekside tent sites.
Should you wish to experience the savage beauty of South Dakota’s Badlands in solitude, backcountry camping is allowed anywhere in this park. Or enjoy a few creature comforts as you revel in its extraordinary landscapes at the park’s Cedar Pass Campground, which has 96 sites including spots for RVs with hook-ups. It’s walking distance to Cedar Pass Lodge’s restaurant and there are bathrooms with showers, drinking water, and a store for supplies.
Life at camp is sweet at this family favorite on the Guadalupe River, especially on sunny days when its pools, waterslides, and swim-up bar really sparkle. Equally sparkling is the river, where campers can go tubing or fly-fishing.
Camp Fimfo has a choice of places to eat, a store, and a host of seasonal activities, including movies under the stars. It caters for all with sites for RVs and tents along with cabins, including some super-cute A-frames by the river.
You can’t get much closer to the mighty Pacific Ocean than at Oceanside RV Resort on Oregon’s stunning Coos Bay. Swim, paddle, spot sea creatures in tidal pools, and explore trails through dunes and forests then return to share your adventures over the campfire. The lovely campground has RV sites, cute cottages, and a choice of tent sites – go for the oceanfront ones to wake to the sound of the water calling.
For an action-packed family camping trip, steer a course to Golden Valley. This popular spot has something for everyone with 20 different types of cabins, glamping tents, RV sites, and classic tent sites. The activities are endless with playgrounds, pools, a waterpark, a lake for water sports, hiking trails, ball game courts, and a new alpine coaster. One thing’s certain – all that exertion means you’re bound to sleep well.
All the thrills and spills are on offer at this large full-service RV and cabin resort set between Lafayette and Baton Rouge. It has three pools (including an adults-only one with a swim-up bar), waterslides, a splash pad, and a hot tub. There are places to eat, a store, playgrounds, a cinema, and oodles of activities for the kids. So, come rain or shine, you’re guaranteed to have happy campers at Cajun Palms.
Myrtle Beach has something for every camper, from small to mega-resorts such as Ocean Lakes, the largest of the lot. Set on the southern end of the beach, it has 859 campsites and 2,572 annual lease sites across 310 acres with nearly a mile of beachfront. Don’t worry about feeling crowded though, as the sites are spacious and there are five well-tended bathhouses.
And, of course, it has oodles of activities, shops, and restaurants. It even has its own nature center where kids can find out about any shells, fossils, or sea life they discover.
Farmyard feels with all the perks of a resort-style campground are what sets Sun Retreats Pleasant Acres Farm apart. Pop along to meet the furry locals at the animal petting area and look out for a raft of rural activities including hayrides, cow milking, and sheep shearing. The pool and hot tub beckon on hot days while the clubhouse, arcade, and games room are the places to be on rainy ones. For more fun on the farm, head to Lusscroft Farm, a New Jersey state historic site nearby.
This Sun Outdoors resort in Moab has it all: sites for tents and RVs, cozy one-bed casitas, and top-quality amenities. But best of all is its superb location in Utah’s stunning red rocks country. It’s just minutes from Arches National Park, where you can spend days hiking, climbing, and rafting.
After a barbecue dinner, gather round the communal fire pit and gaze up at the clear night sky. Don’t miss a family snap by the site’s old wooden church before you hit the road – it was used as a prop in westerns.
Just around six miles south of the visitor center for the vast untamed wilderness that is Denali National Park, this family-run resort is a good choice for those looking for easy access to the preserve without embracing wilderness camping. Campers have a choice of 18 RV sites – complete with electric and water hook-ups – or 20 riverside tent sites, all with access to bathrooms, a central cooking shelter with campfire circles, and laundry facilities. Denali Grizzly Bear Resort has tent cabins available too.
Whatever your camping bent, you’ll be well catered for at Sun Outdoors Rocky Mountains, a brilliant base for exploring the Colorado Rockies year-round. You'll find deluxe RV sites with all the hook-ups and grassy tent sites with picnic tables and fire pits.
There are glamping options too: Airstreams, cabins, and luxury covered wagons for those wishing to channel their inner Laura Ingalls Wilder. On-site there is a pool, hot tub, bowling alley, yoga lawn, restaurant, and live music, among other amenities.
Opt for a yurt or a 'tentalow' with beds, or pitch your own tent or vehicle at this laid-back camp, right by the white sands of Anahola Bay on the northeast coast of Kauai. Sites at Kumu Camp are unpowered, but the pretty and lush site has bathroom facilities and (patchy) WiFi. But you won’t be checking your phone, as this special spot is all about enjoying the beach, watching the sunset, gathering round the campfire, and falling asleep to the sounds of the ocean.
Not such a fan of pitching a tent? Let someone else do it for you while enjoying the benefits of kipping outside. Glamping specialist Under Canvas’s Great Smoky Mountains camp is a sensational spot with stylish safari-style tents, complete with comfy beds and all the kit you need, dotted under trees. Spend days hiking around the Smokies and return to camp for live music, delicious food, and complimentary s’mores around the campfire.
Sink your feet in the sand, slip into the calm waters of Santa Rosa Sound, and fall asleep to the sound of the oak and magnolia trees rustling overhead. A camping trip to the Hideaway, a boutique campground with both tent and RV sites on Florida’s Gulf Coast, is as idyllic as it gets. When you’re not enjoying its private beach, kayaking, or fishing from the pier, the site has plenty of options for good old-fashioned fun: think volleyball, cornhole, ping-pong, and tree swings.
Lovely, landscaped, and with lots of space, this campground in the Angel Fire Mountain Resort in northern New Mexico is our pick for America's finest campsite. It's at the luxury end of the market and is a popular pick for people road-tripping through the Rockies.
There's a clubhouse, laundry, a 'luxury' bathhouse, WiFi, and concierge services to help you book all those mountain adventures. Depending on where your site is, you can sit back and soak in the views of the peaks and valley while looking out for elk (there are plenty around).