The Best Spots to Pitch a Tent in the U.S.

Located on Maine’s Mount Desert Island, Acadia National Park has 17 million acres of forest, 6,000 lakes and ponds, and 32,000 miles of rivers and streams. With lush woodlands, a rocky coastline, and glacier-scoured granite peaks, the park offers some of the most breathtaking views on the east coast. If you’re lucky, you may also get the chance to see moose, bear, or even whales. 

There is plenty to do in the 1.5 million acres of wetlands within Everglades National Park. The Everglades has two distinct seasons. The Dry Season lasts from November to March and tends to be the park’s busiest season. The warm winter of southern Florida attracts a large variety of wading birds (along with their predators), making this the perfect time for bird watching.

The Wet Season takes place from April to early November. If you plan a visit during these hot, sludgy months, bring plenty of bug spray! 

If you aren’t convinced that camping is a relaxing way to spend your vacation, you need to consider Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas. Even if you decide to spend your visit in a tent, you can let all your stress and worry soak away in the natural hot springs.

Ludington State Park encompasses 5,300 acres located between the shores of Lake Michigan and Hamlin Lake. The park contains several distinct ecosystems. You’ll experience sandy beaches, as well as wetland, marshland, and lush forest landscapes. 

The park is perfect for watersports, with several miles of shorelines along both neighboring lakes. A one-mile stretch of the Big Sable River also runs through the park, making it a perfect destination for fishing, boating, canoeing, paddleboarding, and tubing. 

Ludington Park is also home to Big Sable Point Lighthouse, which is open for tours May through October.

Camping in Glacier National Park is permitted only in designated campgrounds. However, with thirteen developed campgrounds and more than 1,000 established campsites, the park provides plenty of camping opportunities. 

700 miles of trails allow hikers to traipse through gorgeous forests, meadows, and mountains. You just need to be aware of the dangerous bears and mountain lions that call Glacier home. 

With 244,000 acres to roam, Badlands National Park is a rock climber’s dream. The landscape is littered with painted rock structures and striking geologic deposits, offering amateur geologists and archeologists ample opportunity to hunt for fossils and early human artifacts.

If you’re looking for stunning views, Grand Canyon National Park is hard to beat. The park offers wide views of the canyon’s layered bands of red rock that drop to the Colorado River below. The views are spectacular, particularly at sunrise and sunset.

The park has four developed campgrounds. Rangers recommend reservations for Mather Campground and the North Rim Campground. For those wanting to get well away from the crowd, backcountry camping is allowed with a permit.

Although Yosemite National Park has gained a bit of a touristy reputation in recent years, this destination is completely worth the hype. The park sees approximately four million visitors each year. However, 95 percent of the park’s 1,169 square miles is untamed wilderness. That means if you don’t want to be bothered by cars, ATVs, or other campers, Yosemite provides plenty of opportunity to slip away from modern civilization if that’s your goal. 

Located in the southern Sierra Nevada mountains, Sequoia National Park is best known for its massive sequoia trees. Must see sites include the General Sherman Tree dominating the Giant Forest, the Tunnel Tree (a toppled tree cut to accommodate the road), and the underground Crystal Cave.

Hawaii isn’t exactly popular as a camping destination. Most of the 9.3 million annual visitors visit the islands’ more popular resort areas. However, Volcanoes National Park is one of the most stunning places you could ever choose to pitch a tent.

The park features plenty of short hiking trails that will allow you to explore unusual volcanic rock formations. The park is also home to some unusual plants that have evolved to survive the harsh volcanic environment. However, the most uniques features of the park are the two active volcanoes, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.

The park has two drive-in campgrounds. There is also ample opportunity for backcountry camping, although registration is required.

Denali National Park is home to Mount McKinley, North America’s tallest peak. With more than six million acres of pristine wilderness, Denali has some of the most gorgeous scenery anywhere in the world. Visitors often have experiences that stay with them for their entire lives. Those experiences often include close encounters with wildlife like golden eagles, Kodiak bears, and gray wolves.