The Best Places for a Camping Getaway

Plan your next camping trip with these favorite destinations

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Updated on 06/26/19

Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. Feng Wei Photography / Getty Images

The best places to go camping usually include a great destination. Campers love the great outdoors, national parks, wilderness areas, beaches, lakes and mountains. Your favorite camping destinations have opportunities for outdoor recreation and adventures, offer a relaxing natural environment, and have scenic views.

Before you plan your next family camping trip, consider these top spots for camping and RVing. We've explored the great outdoors for the best spots to pitch a tent and found the top campgrounds for your next camping getaway. This list is a round-up of the best destinations and campgrounds to go camping in North America.

01 of 07

Top 5 U.S. States for Camping

Caravan camping under the stars — David Trood / Getty Images

The best places to camp in the United States offer a variety of landscapes--beaches, mountains, rivers, lakes and deserts-and a variety of campground options including state parks, national parks, private campgrounds and forest areas. Each state has a unique appeal, but these five states are the favorite camping destinations in the U.S.: Colorado, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, and New York.

02 of 07

Favorite National Parks to Pitch a Tent

Cathedral Peak — JTBaskinphoto / Getty Images

With 59 national parks in the United States, there are a lot of great places to discover the outdoors. The National Park Service protects natural resources and provides camping experiences for all to enjoy. The best national parks for camping were chosen for a variety of reasons – camping opportunities, natural environments, and gorgeous landscapes. Plan a camping trip to one of the top 5 national parks: Glacier, Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains, Yellowstone, and Yosemite.

03 of 07

Best Canadian National Parks

Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada — Carol Polich Photo Workshops / Getty Images

Canada’s pristine wilderness, rugged mountains and secluded beaches combine to create some of the best national parks in the world. There are 44 national parks in Canada that offer developed, primitive and backcountry camping experiences for campers of all interests. The top national parks in Canada for camping are Banff, Georgian Bay Islands, Kootenay, Prince Edward Island, and Terra Nova.

04 of 07

Whitefish, Montana and Glacier National Park

Mc Donald Lake, Glacier National Park — Monica Prelle

Whitefish is a small town located on the western slope of the Continental Divide and near the west entrance to Glacier National Park. The area is a great base camp for outdoor adventures in the Rocky Mountains and an ideal area for a family camping trip. Plan a Whitefish, Montana and Glacier National Park getaway for your next camping trip.

Continue to 5 of 7 below.

05 of 07

Top 5 U.S. Wilderness Areas

University of Montana's wilderness and civilization field studies trek in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. — Wilderness.net

The Wilderness Act of 1964 created a preservation system of wilderness lands in the United States. There are more than 700 federally protected wilderness areas that provide outdoor recreation and wildlife viewing and conserve sensitive environments for future generations to enjoy. Not all wilderness areas provide camping opportunities, but many offer backpacking, solitude and recreation.

06 of 07

Lake Tahoe Camping and Recreation

Edwin Zberg Natural Preserve in Lake Tahoe — Monica Prelle

Camping in Lake Tahoe is one of the best outdoor experiences in North America. With 71 miles of shoreline, the high alpine lake’s stunning blue water is highlighted by the surrounding Sierra Nevada mountains. Tahoe is not only a top spot for camping and RVing but also a favorite destination for boating, hiking and bicycling. Lake Tahoe is located in both California and Nevada and offers the best campsites for RVs and families.

07 of 07

Camping Along California's Central Coast

Spooner Cove at Montaña de Oro State Park. — Monica Prelle

With its rugged and secluded coastline, California’s Central Coast is a top spot for a camping road trip and a favorite destination for beach camping. From Santa Barbara to Morro Bay and Big Sur, the coast provides hundreds of beach campsites. And the Central Coast isn’t just pretty, there are plenty of things to do like surfing, mountain biking, hiking and wine tasting. Or if relaxing at the beach is your preference, you can just dig your toes in the sand and enjoy California’s scenic coast.