Going camping Memorial Day weekend is, for many people, the start of a summer of adventures! It’s a great way to shake off the cobwebs, make sure everything is in good working order, and enjoy some warmer weather outdoors.
If you’re looking for some of the best places to camp Memorial Day weekend, we’ve got you covered. From east to west, here are some great options for campgrounds.
- Best Places to Camp Memorial Day Weekend in the West
- Best Places to Camp Memorial Day Weekend in the Midwest
- Best Places to Camp Memorial Day Weekend in the South
- Best Places to Camp Memorial Day Weekend in the Northeast
Best Places to Camp Memorial Day Weekend in the West
Honeyman Memorial State Park, Oregon
Nestled along a stunning stretch of the Oregon coast, Honeyman Memorial State Park is best known for its rolling sand dunes, just waiting to be explored. There are also two freshwater lakes for fishing, swimming, boating, and other water adventures — and the rental office opens Memorial Day weekend!
The park is only two miles from the ocean, and while there’s not a hiking trail, it’s not difficult to get there. You can also head out to the Sea Lion Caves about 15 miles to the north, and continue just a little bit further to get the perfect Instagram pic of Heceta Head Lighthouse.
Red Rock Canyon State Park, California
You’ll find Red Rock Canyon State Park in the unique stretch of land where the Sierra Nevadas converge with the El Paso Mountains. The desert cliffs and buttes are home to hawks, lizards, and even roadrunners. Once you lay eyes on this beautifully alien, multicolored landscape, you might want to move there, too.
Estes Park, Colorado
When it comes to the perfect Colorado Memorial Day travel destination for RVers, this little town takes the cake. It’s perched right at the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park, making it the perfect home base for incredible outdoor adventures. It also has a bit of a spooky edge. As you may know, it’s home to the Stanley Hotel, which inspired Stephen King’s terrifying masterpiece, The Shining. (There’s a hedge maze out front, for your wandering pleasure.)
Best Places to Camp Memorial Day Weekend in the Midwest
Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Michigan
Think you have to head south for a proper Memorial Day travel getaway? Not so! These stunning falls are nestled in Michigan’s scenic upper peninsula, surrounded by a state park of almost 50,000 acres. There’s plenty of camping available, but even so, you’ll want to reserve your site at Tahquamenon Falls State Park as early as possible.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is another great camping option for spotting spectacular waterfalls. The park has more than 100 falls within its grounds, including the tallest waterfall in the state. Spring is also the perfect time to look for wildflowers all around the park. You can go hiking, check out the scenic railroad, or visit quaint nearby villages.
Best Places to Camp Memorial Day Weekend in the South
Galveston Island State Park, Texas
From its amusement park boardwalk to its famous, Gulf-fresh seafood, there’s no shortage of reasons to visit Galveston. Galveston Island State Park is the perfect home base for a camper.
Only about 50 of the available campsites feature water and electricity, however, so you’ll definitely want to make your reservations ahead of time.
Austin, Texas
Austin is not your typical big city. Along with its world-class music and nightlife, it offers a wealth of outdoor activities, from paddling on Lady Bird Lake to chasing waterfalls at Pedernales Falls State Park. In fact, it’s so amenable to the camping lifestyle that there are several RV parks in the area, including Midtown RV Park, which is right downtown.
Rainbow Springs State Park, Florida
Not all Florida destinations are about the beach or the famous mouse. If you want to see what the real Florida is like, you’ve got to head to the source — of all that water the state is known for!
Rainbow Springs State Park is one of the most famous and well-traversed of all Florida’s springs. Whether you relax with a leisurely tubing trip down the river or get more active in a kayak or canoe, you’ll see a totally different side of the Sunshine State.
Anastasia State Park, Florida
Want a taste of Florida’s east coast that’s nothing like South Beach? Just an hour and a half south of the Georgia line, this park’s dunes, walkways, and affordable campsites beckon.
Along with the most obvious draw — the beach — Anastasia State Park allows you easy access to all the fun of St. Augustine, the oldest continually-run European settlement in the states. Even if you’re not a history buff, you won’t want to miss this vibrant, artistic little community… or its many delicious restaurants.
Key West, Florida
Florida may be narrow, but it sure is long, with the drive from the state line to Miami running more than five hours.
Key West extends the trip even further, taking three and a half more hours, but those 166 miles will be some of the most beautiful you’ve ever driven. There’s the famed Seven Mile Bridge, of course. But even before you reach that stunning stretch of road, you’re in for a beautiful, palm-tree-filled, ocean-breeze-swept treat. You’ll have to focus to get there, instead of stopping and gaping at every beach along the way!
Your efforts will be rewarded, though. Key West combines nightlife, watersports, charming small-town kitsch, and epic Instagram opportunities. (Don’t miss the selfie next to the marker for the southernmost point in the continental U.S.!)
If you’ve got the time and means, we highly suggest finding your way to Dry Tortugas National Park, one of the country’s least-visited, but most enchanting, national parks.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
If you’re looking to add a helping of southern charm to your sunny Memorial Day travel getaway, Myrtle Beach is the perfect place to do so — and it’s also just two hours outside of Charleston. Swim in the sea, take a spin on the Skywheel, or just relax with your toes in the sand. No matter what you choose, you won’t be disappointed.
Best Places to Camp Memorial Day Weekend in the Northeast
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. should be on every American traveler’s bucket list, and Memorial Day weekend is a fitting time to visit! It’s easy to walk to a variety of monuments, museums, and important buildings like the White House and the Capitol Building.
Nestled as it is into the crook of the mid-Atlantic shoreline, you don’t have to go very far at all to find yourself well outside of the city and back in the scenic countryside. From sweeping beachfront to forested trails, there’s a whole host of outdoor activities to explore within a few hours of the city.
Nickerson State Park, Massachusetts
Dreaming of a Cape Cod getaway without the Cape Cod price tag? This 1,900-acre park offers more than 400 campsites, as well as endless wooded hiking trails and ponds perfect for your first dip of the summer. Nickerson State Park offers tent and RV camping, along with hiking, boating, biking, and more.
Cunningham Falls State Park, Maryland
Known for its 78-foot waterfall, Cunningham Falls State Park offers over 170 campsites and also boasts hot showers, flush toilets, and a camp store. Plus, it’s only an hour outside of Washington, D.C. making it a great spot to escape the city.
