Spring has sprung, and that means it’s time to begin preparing for warm weather adventures, family vacations, and overnight excursions. If you’re a fan of camping, you know that there’s something simply magical about spending the night along a lovely shoreline. The United States is home to plenty of incredible beachfront camping destinations, but we’ve compiled five of the very best. Be sure to add these gorgeous spots to your campsite bucket list.
1. Kalaloch Campground (Kalaloch Campground F Rd., Forks, WA)
During your stay at this stunning locale, you’ll take in breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean from seaside bluffs and bask in the rugged beauty of the region. Situated along the shores of the Olympic Peninsula, Kalaloch Campground offerings 168 campsites for use from May through September and features quick beach access for adventurous visitors.
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2. Bahia Honda State Park (36850 Overseas Hwy., Big Pine Key, FL)
Prepare for a tropical adventure that’s unlike any camping experience you’ve had before. When you spend a few nights at Bahia Honda State Park, you’ll enjoy brilliant blue water, easy access to water activities like snorkeling and fishing, and plenty of opportunities to unwind along the shoreline. Whether you opt for tent camping or select an on-site cabin, you’re in for a blast.
3. Wai’anapanapa State Park (Waianapanapa Rd., Hana, HI)
We’d be remiss not to include a Hawaii destination on this list, and Wai'anapanapa State Park makes for a perfect addition. It’s no secret that Hawaii is home to some of the world’s most brilliant beaches, and you’ll have the chance to fall asleep to the sound of crashing waves at this gorgeous park. Whether you book a cabin for the family or opt for traditional tent camping, you’ll make priceless memories exploring the impossibly beautiful nature in this area.
This campground is situated on an island along Cape Hatteras National Seashore and offers some of the most gorgeous beachfront views you’ve ever experienced. Stroll along the sandy shoreline, venture to a nearby lighthouse, or take to the water for a day of kayaking or swimming. No matter what your age, you’ll fall in love with this camping spot, which conveniently offers flush toilets and shower facilities for guests.
5. Weko Beach Campground (5237 Lake St., Bridgman, MI)
When it comes to beach destinations, the Midwest is often overlooked in favor of more tropical oceanfront spots, but Michigan actually houses some of the nation’s most beautiful shorelines. If you’re ready to explore the freshwater beauty of Lake Michigan, head to Weko Beach Campground for a fantastic family adventure. With log cabins, standard tent sites, and RV options, there’s no shortage of space at this locale. Spend a day exploring the sand dunes, sunning along the shore, or venturing out to see what Southwest Michigan has to offer. What’s not to love?
Are there any other beach campgrounds in the United States that should have been included on our list? Have you made memories at any of the spots mentioned above? Share your thoughts in the comments!
The United States is blessed with incredible natural beauty. From Alaska to the Virgin Islands, Maine to Samoa - and everything in between - there are amazing natural wonders for your eyes to feast upon. And is there any better way to experience our nation's beauty than camping? We don't think so! Camping allows you to immerse yourself in your surroundings and for the time you're there, feel a part of them. With this in mind, we've selected a baker's dozen of U.S. camping destinations scattered across the country that are worth traveling to in order to experience them.
Olympic National Park in Washington is a place that feels unlike any other in the Lower 48 - which makes it a perfect bucket list camping destination. With more than a dozen developed campgrounds in the park, as well as backcountry camping opportunities, Olympic has much to offer any camping enthusiast, whether you're arriving by RV or backpacking to a secluded beach site. Most campgrounds are seasonal and are subject to short-notice closures due to the sometimes-extreme weather on the peninsula. You can find specific campground information on Recreation.gov. Check in with a ranger at the park for backcountry permitting information.
If you're hoping to camp in Hawaii, Koke'e State Park is an amazing place to do so. Perched on the edge of spectacular Waimea Canyon, Koke'e is the perfect place to establish a base camp for some of the best hiking you'll find in Aloha State. Dramatic views of Kauai's wilderness interior, waterfalls tumbling hundreds of feet into the rain forest below, and sweeping Pacific Ocean panoramas are all things you can look forward to in the park. For more information on camping, facilities, and fees - or to make reservations - visit Department of Land and Natural Resources website.
There may not be a more beautiful NPS unit than Glacier National Park in Montana. The dramatic Rocky Mountain setting is studded with stunning features like Alpine lakes, rugged wilderness, waterfalls, and, as the park's name implies, glaciers. You'll also find some of the country's most iconic megafauna, such as black bears, grizzly bears, and moose in the park. Several developed campgrounds offer amenities ranging from electrical hook-ups to camp stores. But you can definitely camp away from other visitors with a permit for the backcountry. Check out Recreation.gov for reservations and other information.
The feeling of camping among the tallest trees on Earth is... well, indescribable. It's awe-inspiring and humbling, and really something you just need to experience for yourself. Fortunately, this is something you can do at Redwoods National and State Parks in Northern California. The land encompassed by these parks is jointly managed by the National Park Service and the state of California. And it is here that the world's tallest trees grow. In fact, the single tallest specimen is somewhere in the park, though it's location is not disclosed to protect it from too many visitors. But, honestly, from the ground, it's almost impossible to say that one massive redwood is taller than the next. Four developed campgrounds are located in the park, and all are managed by California State Parks. Visit Reserve California for reservation and facilities information.
Southern Utah is home to some of the most iconic landscapes in the entire country - Zion, Arches, and Canyonlands National Parks, as well as Natural Bridges National Monument and Monument Valley, which straddles the Utah-Arizona border on the Navajo Nation. These popular national parks can be extremely crowded. But there's a way you can enjoy the same landscape with far fewer people. Dead Horse Point State Park, near Moab, Utah, is situated on the Green River between Canyonland and Arches, and it shares the same topography as these popular national parks. You'll find two campgrounds at Dead Horse Point - Kayenta and Wingate. Both offer RV and tent camping, and you'll also find some hike-in sites if you'd like some extra privacy. Visit the park's webpage for more information or to make reservations.
One of the nation's first and most visited, Rocky Mountain National Park is truly a wondrous place. With several peaks topping 14,000 feet, Alpine lakes, and valleys teeming with wildlife, the park is also home to the headwaters of the Colorado River. A visit to Rocky Mountain National Park should be on any outdoor-loving American's bucket list. To reduce crowding in the park, a timed entry system is in place from late May through mid-October, and all visitors must have a permit to enter during this time. One loophole, though, is that those with camping reservations may enter the park anytime during their reservation dates. Five developed campgrounds and some of the most gorgeous backcountry in the Lower 48 beckon campers to the park. For reservations and information, visit Recreation.gov. The backcountry office at the park can help with permitting for those who wish to camp outside developed areas.
7. Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness - Minnesota
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness offers a total backcountry experience in the Northwoods of Minnesota, along the Canadian border. You can only enter the Boundary Waters by hiking or paddling, but once you arrive at your campsite, you will be rewarded with serenity, stars, and the sounds of wilderness denizens, like loons, moose, black bears, and wolves. If you prefer a more front-country experience, several Boundary Waters-adjacent campgrounds in the Superior National Forest are available near Ely, along the Gunflint Trail, and elsewhere on the forest; camping is also available in Voyageurs National Park. Anyone wishing to stay overnight in the BWCAW needs a permit, which are available via lottery between May and October. Check out our Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness guide for more detailed planning information. Front country campsites on the Superior National Forest or in Voyageurs National Park can be reserved on Recreation.gov.
Many national parks protect places that are unique landscapes, and the badlands areas of the Dakotas are nothing if not unique. That's why Badlands National Park in South Dakota should be near the top of your list as a camping destination. Spend your days hiking and exploring this eerie landscape, watching bison and big horn sheep negotiate the terrain. By night, you'll see an explosion of stars against the firmament. The park is home to two developed campgrounds, and you can reserve a site on Recreation.gov. Check with the backcountry office for the permits you'll need to leave the park's developed areas.
People who visit Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan tend to fall in love with it. Designed to highlight the rugged beauty of Lake Superior's shoreline along this part of the Upper Peninsula, the park offers many opportunities to interact with the world's largest lake: white sand beaches, kayaking, and shoreline hikes through a Northwoods setting. You'll find three, small rustic campgrounds in the park, all of which are seasonal and require a reservation, which can be obtained from Recreation.gov. Backcountry camping is available with the appropriate permits.
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10. Great Smoky Mountains National Park - North Carolina/Tennessee
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the National Park System's jewel of the east. Straddling the North Carolina and Tennessee state lines, Great Smoky Mountains preserves some of the most unique and diverse ecosystems in North America. It's also pretty easy on the eyes. This is another national park that should definitely be on your must-visit list, whether as a day trip or part of a longer camping adventure. Be warned, however, that this is the most visited national park, so it definitely can be crowded during peak season. Make your camping reservations on Recreation.gov well in advance of your planned visit. As home to a popular stretch of the Appalachian Trail, even the park's backcountry can occasionally feel less than serene. But the park's beauty definitely makes up for it.
If you're as fascinated by the south Florida, Everglades ecosystem as we are, then you'll definitely want to plan a camping trip to the less-trafficked and more pristine Big Cypress National Preserve. This fragile, one-of-a-kind landscape is showcased in this preserve than it is anywhere else in south Florida. Hike the preserve on boardwalks and backcountry trails, paddle its waters, or simply sit outside your tent at night and enjoy some of the darkest skies in this part of the country. The preserve offers eight front-country campgrounds. Most are closed during the heat and rains of the summer, but a couple are open year round. You can make reservations and get more detail on individual campgrounds at Recreation.gov.
There is no better place to get a taste of the wild Maine shoreline than Acadia National Park. With terrain that includes beaches, woods, and a couple of the hairiest hikes in the eastern United States, Acadia offers a little something for everyone. Although there's plenty of wild natural beauty here, Acadia - thanks to its history - has a tamer, more genteel quality than you might expect to find at a national park. That's part of it's charm and a reason to add it to your camping vision board. A handful of developed campgrounds are scattered throughout the park. Sites can be reserved through Recreation.gov or Acadia's designated smartphone app. You should be aware, though, that no backcountry camping is permitted anywhere in the park.
Although not a spot that most people outside New York are familiar with, Rogers Rock Campground in the Adirondack Mountains is a hidden gem of a campground. Located on the northwestern shore of beautiful Lake George, near Hague, NY and the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area, Rogers Rock is a perfect combination of water, mountains, and woods. Recreational opportunities, ranging from hiking and fishing to swimming and kayaking abound in the area. One thing that really sets this campground apart, though, is that several of its campsites are located on the small, nearby Lake George Islands. The island sites are far enough apart that you may not even realize that anyone else is there with you. Learn more about Rogers Rock Campground and make reservations at New York Department of Environmental Conservation website.
After checking out these spots, we're sure you'll want to start planning your next camping trip right away. And whether you're a backpacker, an RV enthusiast, or a car camper, REI is a great resource for gear and even trip planning. Which of these U.S. camping destinations will you visit first? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to tell us about any other places you would add to our list.
Most of us choose to visit a national park of natural wonder during the day when these magnificent places are on full display in all their glory. And indeed, the options for day treks and recreation at these picture-perfect places are numerous. However, there are some sites that shine brightest at night, whether it's superlative stargazing, nocturnal wildlife, or after-hours phenomena like the elusive moonbow. When the sun sets, make a point of visiting these magnificent places across the U.S. for an unrivaled and wholly wondrous experience of nature at night.
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1. Bioluminescent Tide at Newport Beach, California
California is hailed as the Golden State, but some of SoCal's brightest and most brilliant colors shine when the sun goes down. The glowing blue waves at Newport Beach happen seasonally and never fail to dazzle. Formerly known as bioluminescence, this is a natural phenomenon created by bioluminescent phytoplankton in the water. Hypnotic and otherworldly, just watching the colorful, undulating waves is enough to make you stop and appreciate the magic and mystery of the sea.
2. Full Moon Hikes at Joshua Tree National Park, California
A place that could easily fill an entire bucket list on its own, Joshua Tree National Park is undoubtedly a true Southern California treasure. As a desert wilderness, the park stretches up to 800,000 acres, with the full spectrum of experiences available for the picking. Must-take hikes include the Barker Dam Trail and Panorama Loop, but if you really want to savor the park's total splendor, there's nothing better than a full moon hike at Joshua Tree. Not only is this a fantastic way to beat the heat (summertime highs can exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit), but the park’s wild desertscapes transform into something wholly otherworldly in the moonlight, in their stillness and quietude. The Hidden Valley Trail is a popular nighttime hike; just be sure to exercise caution and bring the proper gear to ensure your safety.
3. Stargazing at Great Basin National Park, Nevada
While Nevada is best known for the glitz and glam of the Las Vegas lights, the nighttime skies are the state's true star. Great Basin National Park is one of Nevada's greatest treasures; it's not just a place of incredible natural beauty and varied geography, but it's also one of the darkest regions in the country. The preserve was given Dark Sky status in 2016 by the International Dark Sky Association, and if you've ever visited this park at night, you know it's well-earned. Come nightfall, a deep, onyx black seems to blanket the desert landscape, lit only by the glow of an endless sky of stars. This is what the night sky might've looked like before electric light was invented, and stargazing at one of the best Dark Sky Parks in the U.S. is truly an experience for your bucket list.
Sometimes, the most beautiful experiences in life are the most fleeting; moments you simply must take in, fully present and aware, with the knowledge that it's a moment never to be relived again. Case in point: when the Queen of the Night blooms at Arizona's Tohono Chul. A 49-acre oasis in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, Tohono Chul is a paradise for plant lovers. This botanical garden is home to the world’s largest collection of Peniocereus greggii, also known as Queen of the Night. When the summer heat begins to build, the buds of the night-blooming cereus begin to appear. After a period of start-and-stop growth, the buds blossom in a mass blooming on one night between the end of May and late July. It's fleeting, fantastic, and truly worth planning a trip around.
5. Overnight Camping at Canyonlands National Park, Utah
While Utah may be best known for its extraordinary winter recreation, when the sun sets and the moon rises, this state puts on quite a show. Lauded as perhaps the best stargazing site in Utah, Canyonlands National Park offers an experience that's wondrous. For those seeking a bucket-list-level adventure, there are two campsites located within the park. These sites, known as The Needles and Island In The Sky, offer the most impressive stargazing in the state, as well as the chance to watch the sunrise over the canyons in the morning. Canyonlands National Park is one of the best national parks to visit at night.
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6. Bat Colony at Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin, Texas
One of the most iconic places in Texas, Congress Avenue Bridge is a beautiful piece of architecture that spans Lady Bird Lake and is celebrated for, among other things, bats. The bridge opened in 1910 and is best known for sheltering the largest urban bat colony in North America. On summer nights at dusk, you can see over a million bats fly out from underneath the bridge and blanket the sky in a swarm of darkness. It's an experience unlike any other, and the energy and movement of this swarm of fluttering, flying mammals is positively electric.
7. Stargazing at Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota
One of the underrated treasures of the American National Parks, Voyageurs National Park is also one of the best national parks for stargazing. Much of the park is pristine wilderness, and it’s surrounded by nothing but more lakes and woods. The air is relatively clean, and there are no major cities within 100 miles, making the park a superb, or, pardon the pun, stellar stargazing spot.
Tucked away in Alabama’s northwest corner lies a lush sandstone gorge known as Dismals Canyon. This tranquil treasure was designated as a National Natural Landmark in 1975, and it’s a desired destination for both locals and visitors from across the country. One of the first things you'll notice is that Dismals Canyon appears more like Middle Earth than the Deep South. Alabama is actually the fourth most biologically diverse state in the nation, and Dismals Canyon is surrounded by one of the few remaining old-growth forests in the state. It's also a place teeming with fascinating fauna, including the rare and elusive insects known as dismalites. During daylight hours, visitors can follow the canyon's 1.5-mile hiking trail that meanders through the beautiful canyon. During nighttime hours, Dismals Canyon offers something truly special - a dismalite night tour. This nocturnal adventure allows visitors to see these enchanting glowworms up close, for a magical experience straight out of a fairy tale.
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9. Synchronous Fireflies and Bioluminescent Dinoflagellates in Central Florida
Have you ever wondered where to see synchronous fireflies? Well, Florida evenings are nothing short of sublime when the heat melts away and the wildlife comes out. Each spring, as the Florida sun sets low in the sky, the nightly firefly show enchants and delights spectators in lush, forested areas like Lake Kissimmee State Park and Blue Spring State Park. Meanwhile, along Eastern Florida's Cape Canaveral, warm summer days give way to a fantastic nighttime spectacle: the bioluminescent dinoflagellates and comb jellies that paint the sea a shockingly neon blue.
10. Bioluminescent Mushrooms - Congaree National Park, South Carolina
Bioluminescence, the production of light by a living organism, is not unique to fireflies. While walking at night at Congaree National Park at various times of the year, you may find other things glowing in the dark, including mushrooms. Some types of fungus glow in the dark and are commonly called foxfire or fairy fire. However, there are several types of fungi that are bioluminescent. These fungi are typically found growing on or in decaying logs and branches lying on the forest floor. While on your night hike, you might even see what looks like a glowing caterpillar crawling along the ground in the dark. This is the larval form of a female beetle from the genus Phrixothrix, and it's a truly magical spectacle to behold.
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11. Moonbow at Cumberland Falls State Park, Kentucky
In the middle of the beautiful Bluegrass State, there is a natural phenomenon that's so rare, it's only experienced at a few places in the world. At Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, you'll find the eponymous Cumberland Falls -- Kentucky's "Niagara of the South" -- a majestic 68-foot waterfall on the Cumberland River. And not only is Cumberland Falls an awe-inspiring force; it's also the site of a rare natural phenomenon. Known as a moonbow, Cumberland Falls is one of the few places on the planet that regularly produces this prismatic phenomenon, created when light is refracted in the waterfall's spraying water droplets. The moonbow lingers above the falls for up to two days as long as the sky is clear, on either end of the full moon. One of the most spectacular and accessible waterfall trails in the country, the Moonbow Trail is a Kentucky bucket list must -- especially at night.
12. Synchronous Fireflies at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee
Glowing and graceful, fireflies are Mother Nature's very own tiny dancers. One of the best places to behold this magical nighttime dance is Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Each summer, lucky visitors to Great Smoky Mountains National Park gather near Elkmont Campground in late May and early June for the park’s brightest, buzziest nightlife: watching rover fireflies light up in their synchronous mating dance. This park is perhaps the most famous place to watch synchronous fireflies work their magic. The park is such a popular spot for firefly gazing, in fact, that officials have set up a lottery system to allow visitors timed access to the park during firefly season, which, if you ask us, is a bucket-list experience worth pursuing.
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13. Northern Lights at Denali National Park, Alaska
A region of rugged and untouched beauty, Denali National Park and Preserve is one of the best places to witness the beauty of Alaska's night skies. There are a number of year-round campgrounds located in the park, providing the opportunity to stay and gaze into the skies all night long -- any time of the year. But Denali takes it to another level; this park is a bucket-list destination for stargazing where you'll marvel at some of the most amazing spectacles on the planet, including -- if you're lucky -- the elusive Northern Lights.
14. Manta Ray Night Snorkel with Hawaii Oceanic in Kailua-Kona
To me, manta rays are fascinating creatures that are gentle and each has its own personality. I love the way they swim, and if you've ever dreamed of swimming with mantas, you can do so in Kailua-Kona. Tour operator Hawaii Oceanic offers a Manta Ray Night Snorkel. This 50-minute adventure allows for a nighttime swim with these beautiful sea creatures. Snorkel gear and non-alcoholic beverages are included as well as the 5-minute boat ride to get to the manta ray site and back. Once you arrive, you will have 30-40 minutes of swimming time with the manta rays. It's sure to be a magical journey into the sea!
One of the best ways to experience the wetlands and wildlife of the Florida Everglades has to be with Sawgrass Recreation Park. Known for its epic airboat rides that take passengers through the watery landscape, alligators are usually what people come here to see. And you will certainly see gators in a different light (or lack thereof) on the park's Gator Nights Tour. On this 60-minute nighttime airboat tour, your boat captain will take you to select locations around The Everglades to see a variety of species including insects, amphibians, and reptiles such as gators. Flashlights are used to get that first glimpse of a gator's eyes, and it's an incredible experience to see them at night, from the safety of an airboat, of course!
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Curious about taking an airboat tour at Take a look at this video by @OnlyInYourState:
Located in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country is where you'll discover the 40-acre Wolf Sanctuary of PA. Home to the only gray wolves in the state, it's a bucket list destination that provides tours and events throughout the year. To see wolves at night, you must book a Full Moon tour. Held on Saturdays closest to the full moon each month, the 2.5-hour event features a bonfire, entertainment, and wolf tours. Once you embark on the self-guided tour route through the sanctuary, volunteers will provide information on the resident wolves as well as wolf conservation efforts.
17. Evening Wildlife Encounters at Yellowstone National Park
There's no doubt that Yellowstone National Park is one of the country's top national parks to visit. Whether you spend a day or a week exploring Yellowstone, it's both a magical and memorable place to be. Teeming with wildlife, you may have the opportunity to see elk, wolves, bears, cougars, big-horned sheep, bald eagles, and many more. At night, the park's resident animals are still active, and the 4-hour Evening Wildlife Encounters program will take you to Yellowstone's Northern Range to see what species are roaming around once the sun sets. This is quite a unique look at the park and one that's certainly bucket list-worthy!
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18. Overnight Yurt Stay and a Group Sunset Safari at The Wilds in Ohio
With over 10,000 acresThe Wilds is a massive conservation center that protects a number of large exotic species including rhinos, giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, and more. One of the best activities The Wilds provides is a Group Sunset Safari. This 2-hour tour includes dinner followed by an adventure through the property's pastures and forests in search of the endangered and protected species as the sunset makes a dramatic backdrop. You'll even make a stop at the Carnivore Center. This is a great way to get a taste of what an African safari is like without leaving the state of Ohio! Tours are offered from June through September, so make plans to visit soon.
These pristine places across the U.S. offer once-in-a-lifetime ways to enjoy nature at night, and are worth staying up late to experience! The question is, which place will you visit at night first?
