From Atlantic to Pacific, America abounds with breathtaking scenery – and what better way to explore our nation’s beauty than a summertime camping trip? Sleeping under the stars renews the spirit, and pitching a tent is a budget-friendly alternative to expensive hotels. Plus, with more than 1,000 campgrounds across the country, there’s surely a destination for everyone. Whether you’re after breezy beaches or rugged wilderness, consider adding a few of these gorgeous campgrounds to your itinerary.
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Bartlett Cove at Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska
Photo: istockphoto.com
Bartlett Cove offers picturesque views of Glacier Bay and its surrounding mountains. The remote lakeside campsite is accessible only via foot trail, but being able to whale watch from your tent is more than worth the walk.
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Redfish Lake Recreation Complex at Sawtooth National Forest in Idaho
Photo: istockphoto.com
Redfish Lake was named for the droves of sockeye salmon that used to journey here every year, but the endangered population has since become depleted, leading to the opening of a hatchery. Visitors to Redfish Lake Recreation Complex can spend their time hiking, fishing, picnicking, waterskiing, and exploring the forests of Idaho.
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Blackwoods Campground at Acadia National Park in Maine
Photo: istockphoto.com
Nestled along the rugged coastline of Acadia National Park, Blackwoods Campground provides ample opportunities for hiking, biking, kayaking, and canoeing. A 27-mile loop road allows for easy access to trailheads and historic sites like the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse.
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Lovells Island at Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park in Massachusetts
Photo: flickr.com via cmh2315fl
Take a ferry to this 62-acre island, and you can camp near the beach, explore tide pools, and wander through the crumbling foundations of Fort Standish. Scenic hikes offer glimpses of the historic Boston Light on nearby Little Brewster Island, the second oldest working lighthouse in the United States.
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Lewey Lake State Campground in the Adirondacks in New York
Photo: istockphoto.com
Serene waterfront views await visitors to Lewey Lake State Campground, which is nestled in the Adirondack Mountains. If you’re planning to stay at the wooded site, be sure to add swimming, fishing, and hiking to your itinerary.
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Assateague Island National Seashore in Maryland
Photo: istockphoto.com
Famed for its wild horse population, this 37-mile-long barrier island offers oceanside camping in a unique landscape. Consider renting kayaks to admire the feral horses from a distance.
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Tyler Bend Campground at Buffalo National River in Arkansas
Photo: flickr.com via Dave Thomas
Buffalo River has something for everyone, with recreations ranging from casual canoeing to whitewater rafting. Spend the day engaged in water activities, then relax on dry land at Tyler Bend Campground.
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Cades Cove at Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee
Photo: istockphoto.com
Enjoy the splendor of the Great Smoky Mountains in Cades Cove, a verdant valley full of hiking trails and wildlife. Visitors can also explore numerous historic buildings, including cabins, churches, and a gristmill.
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Chisos Basin Campground at Big Bend National Park in Texas
Photo: istockphoto.com
Surrounded by rocky cliffs, this desert campsite is located near some of Big Bend National Park’s most popular trailheads and the sinuous Rio Grande river.
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Sage Creek Campground at Badlands National Park in South Dakota
Photo: istockphoto.com
A stay at this primitive campground offers an authentic experience of the vast Badlands. Visitors can observe bison roaming the park’s prairie landscape, which abounds with colorful buttes formed from layers of sediment.
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North Rim Campground at the Grand Canyon in Arizona
Photo: istockphoto.com
You can experience one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World up close when you sleep on the North Rim of the breathtaking Grand Canyon. The campsite also affords easy access to the area’s most popular hiking trails and scenic vistas.
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Devils Garden Campground at Arches National Park in Utah
Photo: istockphoto.com
At Devils Garden Campground, visitors spend the night among the natural sandstone formations of Arches National Park. During the day, they can hike through the desert landscape, admiring the flowering cacti and juniper trees.
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Many Glacier at Glacier National Park in Montana
Photo: istockphoto.com
Sparkling lakes and abundant wildlife, including bighorn sheep, make Many Glacier campsite truly magical. Ancient glaciers carved out the mountainous terrain, and small glaciers can still be seen in the park today.
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Gallo Campground at Chaco Culture National Historical Park in New Mexico
Photo: istockphoto.com
Explore the ruins of the ancient Chacoan people at Gallo Campground in Chaco Culture National Historical Park. The desert landscape is also perfect for stargazing, because the area is designated a “natural darkness zone,” where lighting is carefully regulated.
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Piñon Flats Campground at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in Colorado
Photo: istockphoto.com
Piñon Flats Campground has remarkable views of the towering sand dunes at Great Sand Dunes National Park. Nearby activities include sand sledding and floating along Medano Creek.
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Little Beaver Lake Campground at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan
Photo: istockphoto.com
Little Beaver Lake Campground is the perfect home base for hikers in northern Michigan. The Lake Superior shoreline lies just 1.5 miles away, ready to greet visitors with sandstone cliffs, beaches, waterfalls, and wild forestland.
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Deer Park Campground at Olympic National Park in Washington
Photo: istockphoto.com
This remote mountaintop campsite harbors panoramic views of the ridges of the Olympic Mountains. Once the sun sets, stunning night skies will make for plenty of dramatic photographs.
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Pebble Creek Campground at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming
Photo: istockphoto.com
Old Faithful geyser is world famous, yet this nearby campsite feels like a hidden gem. Set against the scenic backdrop of the Absaroka Range, the campground is close to popular trailheads and other Yellowstone attractions.
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Huntington Beach Campground at Huntington Beach State Park in South Carolina
Photo: istockphoto.com
Treat yourself to a breezy beach getaway at Huntington Beach Campground; the surrounding area is known for its bird population and wetlands.
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Pfeiffer Big Sur Campground at Big Sur in California
Photo: istockphoto.com
Towering redwood trees line the Big Sur River at this spectacular site. Pfeiffer Big Sur Campground, located just off State Route 1, also offers access to other scenic wonders of Big Sur.
Post originally seen on BobVila.com