Top 9 U.S. Camping & Campgrounds in Summer 2024

The USA is fortunate to have some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the world and all these factors combine to make camping a great choice this year. We look some of the best places to camp around the country and bring you our suggestions for making the most of your camping trip. These are our recommendations for places to rediscover the joy of outdoor camping.

New England has no shortage of great places to camp. With plenty of state and national recreation areas packed into a lush rolling countryside, this is certainly one place where you can quickly get outdoors to camp. Here are some places to consider.

Picturesque Atlantic coastline is the principle draw at Acadia National Park. The many coves and rocky inlets provide countless opportunities to snap some great photos. As with most well-established national parks, Acadia features numerous campgrounds. These include Smuggler’s Den, Backwoods, Bass Harbor, and Seawall. Space is provided for tent camping or RV parking. Smuggler’s Den for example includes plenty of shaded area for camper and RV parking while also providing a large open field for tents. The amount of space should be adequate to allow appropriate physical distancing. There are also some semi-permanent accommodations you can rent if you’re looking for a more hotel-like feel.

Best time to visit: the high summer months or into early fall.

People craving a more backwoods adventure might consider White Mountain National Forest. Though federal land, it does not have the infrastructure of a full-on national park. This is a place where you can really put your skills to the test.

Numerous wildlife species call these lands home including bald eagle, coyote, Canadian lynx, river otter, and porcupine. Hikers routinely venture here to explore the many peaks surpassing 4,000 feet and a long stretch of the Appalachian Trail passes through White Mountain National Forest. A number of state forests and parks ring the area, creating something of a continuous nature preserve spread out over much of upstate New Hampshire.

Depending on your familiarity with camping, you can elect to venture into a backwoods area or seek out one of the designated camping locations. There’s a lot to choose from so you won’t have troubling find a place to set up for the night.

Best time to visit: late summer and into fall as the colors begin to change.

Neighboring Vermont is also home to some incredible national forest lands. Green Mountain National Forest is located in the southwest corner of the state near Bennington and Brattleboro. The latter is a lovely little town with a thoroughly crunchy vibe. This is a place to stock up on your granola. Once you’re into the national forest proper, many people opt to spend time hiking the famed Vermont Long Trail. Running from the border with Massachusetts all the way to Canada, the Long Trail is a popular feature where it cuts through Green Mountain National Forest.

In terms of camping, there are 5 designated areas, but don’t expect much in the way of amenities. This is real backwoods stuff with no access to electricity or places to dump waste.

Best time to visit: As you might expect, fall is a spectacular time to visit Green Mountain National Forest so there’s plenty of time left to plan for this one.

Long expanses featuring drop dead gorgeous vistas greet visitors to the Pacific Coast. California, Oregon, and Washington are well-known destinations for outdoor enthusiasts and feature a broad diversity of landscapes and climate conditions from which to choose a camping adventure.

Set south of Monterey in California’s semi-mountainous central coast region, Big Sur is a park with a reputation for stunning beauty. Known for its several old-growth Redwood groves and immaculate beaches, Big Sur is a great getaway for anyone coming out of LA or San Francisco. Hop on famed California Highway 1 and find out why Big Sur is regarded among the longest and most beautiful coastlines anywhere in the world.

Pfeiffer Beach is set within Los Padres National Forest. Several campgrounds and rustic lodgings are available. Enjoy a hike along the roads leading in. Climbing the bluffs overlooking the smallish cove is a great way to experience the majesty of Pfeiffer Beach. Steep hills flank both sides of the beach, providing a lovely seclusion. Here you can think you’re miles away from the rest of the world because, in fact, you are!

Best time to visit: Summer is the perfect time to venture here when temperatures are quite warm and the cool Pacific waters offer welcome relief.

Set on Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula, Olympic National Park is one of the few places where you can readily move between multiple, distinct ecosystems. These include rugged coastal land, alpine forest, and temperate rainforest. The ecological diversity lets Olympic National Park masquerade as several vacations in one. Feel as if you’re traveling to entirely new locations as you move around the park.

Best time to visit: The peninsula and areas around Puget Sound are known for their rainfall and cooler temperatures. Travel in summer but bring added layers.

Big-sky country is filled with vast open spaces, towering mountain peaks, and beautiful star-filled nights. Here you have ample opportunities to spread out with a campfire.

Sometimes overlooked in favor of Yellowstone to the north, Grand Teton National Park ranks among the finest in the US. This is another one of those places where hikers will find themselves in paradise. The park is filled with a series of exquisite mountains centered on Grand Teton. There are 6 major campgrounds within the park.

Tips: One thing to keep in mind is that nighttime temperatures here often drop quite low, even in summertime. You will want to make sure you pack some extra gear for cold nights. The campgrounds at Jenny Lake and Signal Mountain attract an outsized share of visitors to Grand Teton so make sure you move fast if you’re hoping to find a place in either of these. Once you’re inside, enjoy some time on the lakes and rivers and otherwise enjoy this majestic environment.

Best time to visit: Late summer and into early fall bring out a diverse array of wildlife. Try to visit during these times.

Tucked deep into Northern Montana on the border with Canada, Glacier National Park is a place for those who crave a little solitude. Several established campgrounds exist in addition to myriad backcountry options. Glacier National Park features some stunning alpine landscapes and rich mountain waters. This place epitomizes Big Sky Country.

Best time to visit: Summer is when Glacier National Park rolls out the carpet for visitors so don’t miss out.

The Eastern Seaboard may not immediately spring to mind when you imagine places for camping, but don’t let this deceive you. National, state, and local parks up and down the coast offer prime opportunities for adventure.

Unlike the other destinations we’ve profiled, Assateague Island offers beachfront camping. The thrill of Atlantic waves gently singing you to sleep is a glorious experience. Given much of the island is exposed to onshore breezes and direct sunlight, make sure you pack some extra layers and plenty of sunscreen.

Properly managed campfires are allowed; however, you cannot bring in out-of-state firewood and must purchase what you need locally. For those unaware, Assateague’s major attraction apart from the iconic costal landscapes are the bands of feral horses. Once domesticated, the horses on the island once again roam free like their wild ancestors. These magnificent creatures can been observed frolicking on the shores, playing in the fields and wooded areas, or heading together on the open lands.

Best time to visit: They are an integral part of Assateague and make for a great summer at the beach.

Okay so this one isn’t on the coast, but it is well-within reach of those who are. Great Smoky Mountains National Park rivals anything the Western United States has to offer. Stunning forest ridge lines and immense biodiversity help make it one of the most popular national parks by number of visitors. Back- and frontcountry campsites are available depending on your fancy. Those seeking greater access to amenities should look among the frontcountry options. The Mount LeConte area is popular owing to its excellent overviews. This will also give you the opportunity to hike up and long the Tennessee-North Carolina border.

Best time to visit: As you’re looking for opportunities for fun and excitement this summer, consider visiting this amazing corner of Appalachia. You won’t be disappointed, particularly as fall arrives and the colors change.

Camping has long been a way to get some fresh air and experience the great outdoors. Now it has the added benefit of offering a vacation opportunity coupled with the increased ability to maintain physical distancing. If you’re wondering what to do this year, consider these regional camping opportunities and make the most of the public lands near you this summer and fall.