If you’re lucky enough to call the United States your home, you probably already know that you can’t really go wrong with an all-American road trip. Every state in the nation has some beautiful vistas and stunning campsites that will help you rest, relax, and disconnect.
But even though every state has some amazing things to offer its visitors, some seem like they’re just custom-built for camping. From the east coast to the west coast, from sprawling mountain ranges to shining oceanscapes, here are the best states for camping in the U.S. — and the very best campgrounds we could find in each of them whether you’re a passer-through or a full-timer.
1. Best Campgrounds in Arizona
Ever ask yourself, “What is the most popular camping destination in the US?”
While you may first think of a more populous, oceanside state like Florida or California, the desert southwest has some stunning sights that draw millions of visitors — including, but not limited to, the Grand Canyon.
So if Arizona isn’t on your list yet, it definitely should be. Here are the best campgrounds to discover during your trip.
Trailer Village – Grand Canyon National Park
Visiting Grand Canyon National Park is basically a right of passage. And it’s no surprise that there are plenty of camping options in the area.
Many campers hope to camp inside the park itself — and although most of the national parks do offer on-site camping options, you’re usually looking at dispersed or “dry” camping. But not at the Grand Canyon! Thanks to Trailer Village, a third-party-run, private campground that’s inside the park adjacent to Mather Campground along the south rim, you can enjoy front-row seats to the action while still having shore power and water hookups. Best of both worlds!
Click here to see RVshare rentals near Grand Canyon National Park.
Voyager RV Resort and Hotel – Tucson
Imagine having the resort hotel experience… while maintaining the comfort and privacy of your own home-away-from-home. That’s exactly what you get at Tucson’s Voyager RV Resort and Hotel, which boasts plush amenities like a swimming pool and on-site golf course. A Thousand Trails campground, Voyager also hosts a wide array of organized events and community gatherings, such as exercise classes, line dancing, arts & crafts, and live entertainment.
And although it might not be near the top of your Arizona priority list, Tucson is actually an incredible destination. Meander amongst the shockingly-tall cacti at Saguaro National Park or enjoy some of the best Tex-Mex you’ve ever eaten, all while enjoying the year-round mild temperatures.
Click here to see RVshare rentals near Tucson, Arizona
Page Lake Powell Campground – Page
The town of Page may be small, but in the world of Arizona tourism, it’s mighty. Centrally located to a wide variety of attractions, from Horseshoe Bend to Antelope Canyon, Page is a perfect place to call home base while you explore the Grand Circle.
And the Page Lake Powell Campground is a great spot to set up your rig, offering generously-sized pull-thru sites with up to 50 amps of service. They’ve also got a dump station, liquid propane gas sales, laundry facilities, an indoor pool and hot tub, free wifi, a fitness room, and so much more… not that you’ll probably even have much time to enjoy all of that stuff, given how many adventures there are to take in the area!
Click here to see RVshare rentals near Page, Arizona.
Psst — looking for even more Arizona campgrounds, destinations, and information? Check out the following RVshare content:
- The Best 21 Campgrounds Near the Grand Canyon
- Grand Canyon National Park Guide
- Saguaro National Park Guide
- Petrified Forest National Park Guide
- Add This to your Road Trip Bucket List: The Grand Circle
- RVshare rentals in Arizona
2. Best Campgrounds in New Mexico
Arizona’s lovely — but if you don’t visit its neighbor to the immediate east, you’ll be seriously missing out. The word has spread about New Mexico, which was once something of a hidden gem amongst travelers and tourists. These days, people know about its big skies and vast, pinyon-covered sand dunes… not to mention the delicious cuisine and fascinating culture. Here are some of the best places to camp in New Mexico.
Black Canyon Campground – Santa Fe
It might not be filled to the brim with plush amenities, but Black Canyon Campground remains one of the most popular Forest Service campgrounds in the country… and that’s thanks in large part to its proximity to Santa Fe. The town itself is filled with quaint eateries, luxurious shops, and eye-catching architecture, not to mention its historical significance, but the area is also a haven for outdoor enthusiasts of all stripes. (In fact, Santa Fe is the headquarters city for Outside magazine!)
Black Canyon Campground is a public campground in the nearby Santa Fe National Forest, which offers hiking, biking, and backcountry opportunities galore. It’s also a popular skiing destination during the winter season, which is still pretty darn frigid despite what you might imagine. It’s a high-altitude desert, after all! While no shore power or water hookups are available, dispersed camping is available for only $10 per night, and yes, reservations are available. The campground’s season is May to October, so you won’t have to worry about heat or air conditioning — you can just kick back, relax, and enjoy some well-earned disconnection.
Click here to see RVshare rentals near Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Albuquerque KOA Journey – Albuquerque
Just about an hour south of Santa Fe, you’ll find Albuquerque, the state’s capital — and also home to some really exciting events, activities and attractions. For obvious starters, there’s the Breaking Bad tourism to contend with, but ABQ is also the site of the most-photographed event in the world, the annual International Balloon Fiesta. It’s also an easy drive to Petroglyph National Monument and Chaco Canyon, along with so many other southwestern gems.
The Albuquerque KOA Journey has all the amenities and fixtures you’d expect to find at a KOA, including generous sites that can accommodate large rigs, as well as an indoor swimming pool, hot tub, mini golf course, and more. It’s conveniently located right off I-40, making it a central place from which to explore all that Albuquerque and the surrounding area have to offer.
Click here to see RVshare rentals near Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Psst — looking for even more New Mexico campgrounds, destinations, and information? Check out the following RVshare content:
- Top 10 Campgrounds & RV Parks in New Mexico
- Add This to your Road Trip Bucket List: The Grand Circle
- Carlsbad Caverns National Park Guide
- White Sands National Park Guide
- RVshare rentals in New Mexico
3. Best Campgrounds in North Carolina
From the Outer Banks to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina is an east coast state that really has it all: oceans, rivers, forests, mountains, and some stellar city life, too. What’s more, this state offers affordable vacation options that are nearby and accessible via a day or so’s drive from many populous areas along the Atlantic seaboard, making it a great state for campers of all stripes.
Here are some of the best campsites in North Carolina.
Smoky Mountain Premier RV Resort – Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Okay, okay — we’re starting our list of North Carolina campsites with one that’s technically in Tennessee! But Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the border between these two stunning states, and the North Carolina border is just minutes from Smoky Mountain Premier RV Resort. (In other words, you’ll be centrally located to the vast array of stuff to see, do, and explore in the national park… and the nearby gateway towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge!)
The park offers a wide array of amenities including a pool with sun deck, horse shoes, corn-hole, free wifi, golf cart rental, and more.
Click here to see RVshare rentals near Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
Camp Hatteras RV Resort and Campground – Rodanthe, North Carolina
Visiting the Outer Banks is like visiting another world; vast waterscapes on both sides of the barrier islands make for some of the most stunning and serene views in the country. Add in the delicious, fresh seafood and endless-summer quality of the shops and restaurants lining the way, and you have all the ingredients for an unforgettable east coast vacation.
Camp Hatteras RV Resort and Campground offers oceanfront and soundfront camping in the outer banks, with more than 400 full-hookup sites on convenient concrete pads and surrounded by amenities like playgrounds, indoor and outdoor pools, bath houses, laundry facilities, and more. It’s truly the resort experience, from the destination at large to the park itself.
Click here to see RVshare rentals near Rodanthe, North Carolina.
Asheville Bear Creek RV Park – Asheville
Asheville’s been a hot destination for a while now, and we can certainly see why. Given its location in the mountain-smattered west of the state, it’s the perfect blend of urban and outdoorsy — and also well-known for both its beer and art scenes.
Asheville Bear Creek RV Park offers convenient camping in a downright beautiful locale, as well as luxurious extras like a seasonal outdoor pool, play areas, designated pet areas and laundry facilities, as well as hosting several popular RV rallies in the area.
Click here to see RVshare rentals near Asheville, North Carolina.
Psst — looking for even more North Carolina campgrounds, destinations, and information? Check out the following RVshare content:
- The 10 Best RV Trips to Take in North Carolina
- Campgrounds in NC: Top 10 RV Parks & Campgrounds in North Carolina
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park Guide
- RVshare rentals in North Carolina
4. Best Campgrounds in Utah
With five national parks and countless other wonders to explore, Utah is a favorite camping destination for good reason. But with so many options to choose from, it does take some shopping around to ensure you find a great place to call your temporary home! Here are some favorites.
Canyonlands RV Resort and Campground – Moab
One of the well-regarded Sun RV Resorts family of campgrounds, Canyonlands RV Resort and Campground offers you a front-row seat to two of the most outrageous (and crowded) national parks in the roster: Arches, and Canyonlands — as the name suggests. You’ll be able to set up in generous spaces outfitted with full hookups, and enjoy easy access to on-site groceries, a swimming pool, campfire rings, and more.
Click here to see RVshare rentals near Moab, Utah.
Ruby’s Inn RV Park and Campground – Bryce Canyon City
The closest campground to Bryce Canyon National Park, Ruby’s Inn RV Park and Campground treats visitors to smiling customer service and stellar amenities, such as full hookups, clean restrooms, hot showers, laundry facilities, internet connectivity and more.
You’ll also be within an easy day’s drive of a variety of other sightseeing in the southwestern Utah area, such as Dixie National Forest, the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Glen Canyon, and even Vermillion Cliffs down in Arizona.
Click here to see RVshare rentals near Bryce Canyon City, Utah.
Zion Canyon Campground and RV Resort – Springdale
You already know Zion National Park is paradise — but what about staying in your own personal paradise while you visit?
Zion Canyon Campground and RV Resort makes it possible, offering plush amenities and full hookups within an easy drive of not only the national park, but also nearby restaurants, shopping opportunities, and other fun things to do while you’re in town.
Click here to see RVshare rentals near Springdale, Utah.
Psst — looking for even more Utah campgrounds, destinations, and information? Check out the following RVshare content:
- The 10 Best RV Trips to Take in Utah
- 8 Utah Road Trips You Will Never Forget
- Arches National Park Guide
- Canyonlands National Park Guide
- Bryce Canyon National Park Guide
- Zion National Park Guide
- Capitol Reef National Park Guide
- RVshare rentals in Utah
5. Best Campgrounds in Washington
With its wide range of climates and landscapes, it’s no surprise that Washington is considered one of the best places to camp in America — whether you’re after alpine mountain hikes or coastal ocean views. Here are some of our favorite campgrounds and campsites in this west-coast wonder.
Eagle Tree RV Park – Poulsbo
Seattle may be all about urban sprawl, but that doesn’t mean you can’t camp nearby. And in fact, heading to the Kitsap Peninsula gives you the best of both worlds: you can ferry into the hubbub of downtown and get a taste of the action, and then retreat to your home-away-from-home once you’re done with all the noise.
Eagle Tree RV Park is conveniently located just fifteen minutes from the Seattle Ferry, and also gives you the excuse to explore the adorable town of Poulsbo. Location, price, and amenities make this a great solution for anyone looking to experience Seattle without resorting to actual urban stealth camping — why not actually enjoy your vacation?
Click here to see RVshare rentals near Poulsbo, Washington.
Elwha Dam RV Park – Port Angeles
Many campers come to Washington eager to explore the Olympic Peninsula… only to realize that the Olympic Peninsula is a pretty darn big place! It takes hours to drive from one section of the park to another, which means you have to have a stable home base and a decent amount of time to do the peninsula and national park any justice.
Elwha Dam RV Park is located in the quaint seaside city of Port Angeles, which is chock-a-block full of bookstores, coffee shops, and fun boutiques. It’s also the perfect place to call home base while you explore this part of the country; you can be at Hurricane Hill in less than an hour’s drive, and all the way to the coast in the matter of half a day. (And yes, you can totally take the ferry across to Canada if you have an up-to-date passport on you!)
Click here to see RVshare rentals near Port Angeles, Washington.
Psst — looking for even more Washington campgrounds, destinations, and information? Check out the following RVshare content:
