Top Campsites You Must Visit Before You Die
The perfect campsite can be difficult to find. Here, we discuss the must-see campsites in North America.
Technically, good campsites can be a number of things. It can be a location that is elevated and away from the threat of water or runoff from an adjacent hill. It can be a site where modern-day amenities like running water or electricity are accessible. It can be a location that allows hunting or fishing or a place that has nearby activities for families to engage in. For some campers of the world, “top campsites” often refer to the most scenic locations for campers to spend their time camping. For this article, we will be discussing the most beautiful campsites in North America that have the most to offer and why you must visit them at least once before you die.
When it comes to the idea of “the best campsite” to visit, this is truly a subjective matter. What is breathtaking to one person might actually be underwhelming to another. You might be enamored with bodies of water and watery landscapes while your friend may prefer forests that stretch as far as the eye can see. Or maybe you are searching for that scenery that changes the way you look at the world forever. The perfect campsite is something that you will have to evaluate for yourself. Our job is to expose you to a variety of campsites so you can make the decision about which is best suited for your needs.
What You Need To Know About Selecting The Best Campsites
Overall scenery is one thing but selecting the perfect campsite is an in-depth process in which several factors should be considered. I beautiful campsite will be wasted on you if you are unprepared for the challenges and regulations that the campsite has to offer. This is why it is imperative that you do extensive research on the location in question before you make your journey. Here are a few things to consider when selecting the perfect campsite.
Your expected camping experience – what sort of camping do you plan on doing during your trip? Are you looking for some amenities and luxuries to make your life easier while camping? Are local running water and a place to charge your phone a must-have or are you venturing out into the backcountry to be alone with nature? If trace amounts of civilization are a requirement for you, then you might want to select a park or location that offers designated campgrounds. These campgrounds will often have bathrooms and sources of electricity that can offer you what you need.
Rules and Regulations – Are you planning on building a campfire during your excursion? Not so fast, wilderness goer. Not every park and campground allows campfires. Some areas are prone to wildfires and the use of campfires is strictly prohibited. You’ll want to research your intended campsite for its unique rules and regulations. Are you planning to hunt for fish? Most national parks have their own rules regarding these activities. Many do not allow hunting and some of them only permit catch-and-release fishing. So if you are hoping to catch your own food while camping, you’ll want to research your campsites rules regarding these practices.
Pets – Are you planning on bringing your family pet along on your camping trip? Many national parks and campgrounds do not allow domesticated animals for numerous reasons. Be sure to make sure your furry friend is allowed on the premises or you might have to cut your camping trip early.
Activities – Are you looking to “rough it” in the wilderness for a few days and live a life of seclusion or are you looking for a camping trip that is packed with fun activities? Many national parks offer a variety of activities such as horseback riding and kayaking. If these sorts of activities interest you then you may want to seek out a campsite that offers these services.
Terrain- Are you planning to venture out into the desert flatlands or will you be hiking up the side of a mountain? Depending on your intended campsite, you will need to plan accordingly for travel. Many campsites cannot be reached via automobile due to the uneven and unpredictable nature of the surrounding terrain. Also, a remote location or surrounding mountains can negatively impact digital tools such as a GPS unit. You should plan accordingly for this and bring a topographical map with you in case your GPS fails.
So What Are The Top Campsites You Should Visit Before You Die?
The following suggestions were compiled based on overall beauty, uniqueness in comparison to other large camping destinations and overall quality of the experience you can get from these locations.
Shenandoah National Park –
Located in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, this park boasts a forest line that is truly a sight to behold. The park itself is extremely accommodating to campers as well. There are four charted campgrounds spanning miles of terrain and there is a vast range of backcountry camping available for the skilled campers of the world. If you want to be secluded with nature, the backcountry camping is probably more your speed.
The wildlife at Shenandoah will be something you’ll remember for the rest of your life. The park is a haven for beautiful animals like white-tailed deer as well as more ferocious animals like black bears. Don’t let these scare you away though. For more information on camping with bears, click our link below:
The sites you’ll see at Shenandoah National Park are plentiful. On a single hike through the park, you can encounter vast hills that will challenge you as you scale them, roaring waterfalls that empty into tranquil streams that are rich with aquatic life, and endless oceans of trees and greenery that will make you think you are on another world.
If a more organized camping experience is more your style, Shenandoah National Park has a variety of activities and events that you can participate in during your stay. You can rock climb and repel one afternoon and go horseback riding another.
One of the benefits of any national park is seclusion from light pollution. Light pollution is the brightening of the night sky caused by manmade lights which inhibits the observation of stars and planets. Shenandoah is known for its stargazing from atop the Blue Ridge Mountains and the park offers a number of organized astronomy events. They even have an annual Night Sky Festival in August.
If you get tired from roughing it during your camping trip, you can also come into one of Shenandoah’s many dining locations with table’s that offer a panoramic view of the park’s wonderful scenery.
At some point during your camping trip, you might want to take a dip in a local stream. Swimming is allowed in all park streams at this national park. Most of the streams require a hike to reach them and they can be exceedingly cold even in the summertime. It should be noted that there are no actual lakes in Shenandoah so be mindful of this if you are considering making this park a camping destination.
All of the streams at Shenandoah National Park are open to catch-and-release fishing but you’ll have to be prepared to hike to reach them. There are also a few designated areas that are open to harvesting but be sure to do your research to locate these specific areas.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park –
Located on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee, this gorgeous park has it all. Lush forests, waterfalls and streams and an observation tower to take it all in, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a must-see location for any avid camper.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park has more than its fair share of wildlife. Anyone camping at this park can expect to see anything from bobcats and coyotes to a variety of foxes to bears and even elk! Black bears are by far the largest predators found in this state park so be sure to take extra precaution when camping in their vicinity. For information on how to store food to avoid unwanted predators click our link below:
One of the unique attractions of this national park are all the caves and mineshafts located on the grounds. Don’t start planning your spelunking expedition just yet though. Entry to the caves or mineshafts in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is prohibited. Although you man not be able to crawl in and walk around these natural formations, they still add an interesting element to the wildlife population of the area. These caves house thousands of bats and at night their emergence from their homes is truly a sight to behold.
The true beauty of this park is best absorbed atop one of any of its rolling hills that overlook vast valleys populated over 100 native tree species. There is no experience quite like emerging from your tent at sunrise and seeing the sun’s rays illuminating the ocean of greenery in the valley below you. It can be compared to standing within an actual masterpiece. The forests of this national park are part of its splendor and must be witnessed in person to be appreciated.
For the active camper, there is plenty to do at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The land holds 2,900 miles of streams which house one of the last wild trout habitats in the eastern United States. Fishing is permitted year-round in all of its streams although you must possess a valid fishing license or permit in the state, which you will be fishing (Tennessee or North Carolina).
The park also accommodates campers who enjoy horseback riding. You can venture over to any of four riding stables in the park from March to November and experience a scenic horseback ride that can last anywhere from 45 minutes to several hours. These stables also offer carriage and wagon rides that are fun for people of all ages.
Backcountry Camping/Backpacking – as of February 2013, Great Smoky Mountains National Park requires a permit and advance reservations for all backcountry camping in the park. If you are considering this sort of camping experience, call (865) 436-1297 for questions and reservations.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a sight to behold full of mountains, streams, hills, waterfalls, and forests. Any camper looking for a memorable experience should make it a point to visit this place before your time on Earth is over.
Badlands National Park –
Located in beautiful South Dakota, this is a destination for campers from all over the world. The main allure of this campsite for so many people is the magnificent geology. Badlands is known for its extensive fossil beds, geological formations and its vast variety of wildlife. While camping at Badlands, you can see everything from rams and bobcats to porcupines and prairie dogs.
The scenery of this park will take your breath away as you gaze rock spires to one side and deep canyons to the other. You’ll even be able to look back in time as you observe the fossil beds embedded in the rocky cliffs that span the park. Some of the more elevated areas will provide views that can stretch for over fifty miles. If you are looking for a peaceful, secluded camping experience, Badlands is the place for you.
Backcountry camping in Badlands is not for the faint of heart. There is little to no water found in the backcountry and when trace amounts of water are located, they are undrinkable and not filterable due to all of the sediment found in the water. Additionally, campfires are not permitted in the backcountry under any circumstances. For our article on the best camping stoves, click below:
Badlands can be classified as a more challenging camping destination. It doesn’t have the family-friendly activities that you’ll find with other national parks. Hiking and bicycling are the more common inter-day activities that campers can engage in. However, if you are a true survivalist who is looking for the camping experience of a lifetime, Badlands National Park is the place for you.
Rocky Mountain National Park –
Located in the beautiful state of Colorado, campers seeking a variety of experiences should consider this as a camping destination. Due to the wild shifts in weather and the high elevation in comparison to sea level, the campsites at this national park are often considered a little more on the extreme side. The elevation alone can take several days to get acclimated to if you normally reside at sea level so be sure to consider this before you plan a long hiking trip. Also, remember that you are in the mountains and temperatures can fluctuate and wind gusts can be unpredictable. For our link on how to keep warm while camping, click below:
Rocky Mountain National Park has areas that are prone to high runoff during and after thunderstorms. For that reason, it is advised that you keep your distance from streams and rivers while camping since unexpected water elevations can occur at any time.
Campfires are only allowed in a few designated areas of the park so you will need to do your research ahead of time to see if your intended campsite permits the use of fire. If fires are prohibited at your campsite, you can always use a portable camp stove to cook your meals.
When it comes to activities to engage in during your camping trip, Rocky Mountain National Park has a long list of things to do. You can do everything from hiking to rock climbing or fishing or even horseback riding. There are designated campgrounds that provide a family-friendly experience or you can venture out into the wilderness for a more challenging experience. Wilderness camping can require a permit so be sure to do
your research before venturing out.
Castle Mountains –
If a remote, desert landscape is what you are looking for, then Castle Mountains is the campsite for you. Located in California, this location is both beautiful and challenging for campers. The terrain is uneven and the farther off the beaten path you get, the more unpredictable it becomes. For this reason, you may want to consider a high clearance vehicle with four-wheel-drive.
If you are considering this as a potential camping location, you need to bring and an up-to-date road map with you. You will find yourself so far away from civilization that digital GPS units are going to be unreliable.
The overall allure of Castle Mountains is the seclusion. You aren’t going to find many organized activities out here. Campers go here to be alone with nature. You’ll be so far away from the lights of cities and civilization that the night sky will illuminate unlike anything you have ever seen. Just be sure that you aren’t traveling around too much after dark. It is easy to get turned around and lost in this desert setting. However, with a little bit of common sense and general safety, Castle Mountains will be a campsite that you will never forget.