20 Best Places to Camp in National Parks

The 20 Best Places to Camp in National Parks

National park camping is an invitation to discover America’s most stunning landscapes up close—waking to mountain vistas, falling asleep beneath endless stars, and joining traditions that have enlivened generations of outdoor enthusiasts. From the dramatic heights of Denali to the tranquil fruit orchards of Fruita, these campgrounds represent the pinnacle of what our national parks offer campers: unspoiled wilderness, rich historic sites, and unforgettable experiences. Whether you seek adventure, solitude, or family-friendly amenities, the following destinations reveal why national park camping continues to capture the hearts and imaginations of millions.

Why Camp in National Parks?

Access to pristine natural beauty not found elsewhere
A range of experiences from rugged backcountry to comfortable developed sites
Opportunities to engage in hiking, fishing, boating, wildlife viewing, and more
Historic settings—including old forts, pioneer orchards, and indigenous lands
Ideal backdrops for making lasting memories with friends and family

Top National Park Campgrounds Across America

1. Lost Creek Campground, Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

Crater Lake National Park is famed for its sapphire-blue water, formed from a collapsed volcano over 7,700 years ago. Lost Creek Campground provides 16 tent-only sites, each a perfect launch point for exploring not only the lake—considered among the world’s most pristine—but also the Pacific Crest Trail. Campers can hike scenic rim trails, visit the historic lodge, and marvel at volcanic geology that’s visible from almost any vantage.

Best For: Hikers, nature lovers, and those seeking quiet nights
Facilities: Tent-only, no hookups, limited amenities
Highlights: Volcanic lake views, proximity to Pacific Crest Trail

2. Wonder Lake Campground, Denali National Park, Alaska

Denali National Park covers six million acres of wilderness, home to moose, wolves, grizzly bears, and caribou. Wonder Lake Campground is Denali’s closest campsite to North America’s tallest peak (Denali, 20,310 feet) and offers 28 tent-only spaces. Here, you can experience the essence of Alaskan wild lands, with crystal-clear lakes beneath snow-capped mountains, legendary wildlife, and opportunities for photography that rival anywhere in the world.

Best For: Wildlife photographers, experienced campers, backpackers
Facilities: Primitive sites, basic amenities, bus access only
Highlights: Best mountain views, unparalleled wilderness

3. Garden Key, Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida

Accessible only by ferry or seaplane from Key West, Dry Tortugas National Park offers an isolated adventure far from the crowds. Garden Key features eight primitive campsites set near the ruins of a 19th-century fort. Immerse yourself in coral reef snorkeling, explore sandy keys, and revel in turquoise waters alive with marine life.

Best For: Snorkeling enthusiasts, history buffs, off-grid campers
Facilities: Primitive, no water/electric, must pack your supplies
Highlights: Coral reefs, Fort Jefferson history, stargazing

4. Cades Cove Campground, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee

One of the nation’s most visited parks, Great Smoky Mountains welcomed over 11 million visitors last year. Cades Cove Campground, with 159 developed sites, is beloved for its wildlife viewing, hiking, biking, and nearby horseback rides. Nestled among picturesque valleys and forests bursting with wildflowers, Cades Cove offers both family-friendly amenities and access to natural wonders.

Best For: Families, cyclists, wildlife watchers
Facilities: Developed, bathhouses, reservation required
Highlights: Bear sightings, historic settlement, scenic drives

5. Colonial Creek South Campground, North Cascades National Park, Washington

The North Cascades rival the Olympics for beauty, though they remain off-the-beaten-path. Colonial Creek South Campground has 142 sites beside the shimmering Diablo Lake. Paddlers, hikers, and photographers flock here for alpine scenery, glacial lakes, and direct access to hiking trails that wind through ancient forests.

Best For: Kayakers, hikers, photographers
Facilities: Developed, potable water, boat launch on-site
Highlights: Diablo Lake, mountain views, wildflower meadows

6. Moraine Park Campground, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Moraine Park features 247 developed campsites and maintains a backcountry ambiance, nestled amid scenic mountains and wildlife. Rocky Mountain National Park’s diverse terrain includes soaring peaks above 14,000 feet, more than 150 lakes, and 300 miles of hiking trails—plus guided horseback riding close to camp.

Best For: Backpackers, anglers, equestrians
Facilities: Developed, reservable, nearby trailheads
Highlights: Wildlife viewing, horseback riding, wildflowers

7. Fruita Campground, Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

Though Capitol Reef is less crowded than Utah’s more famous parks, its Fruita Campground is truly unique. The grounds are set within a 2,700-tree fruit orchard—a legacy of pioneer settlers—and offer 71 developed sites. Campers delight in freely picking ripe fruit, hiking sandstone cliffs, and enjoying an oasis set within high desert surrounds.

Best For: Families, hikers, history lovers
Facilities: Developed, picnic tables, bathhouses
Highlights: Fruit picking, historic buildings, cliff hiking

Additional Campground Highlights in U.S. National Parks

8. Jenny Lake Campground, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

At the base of the Teton Range, Jenny Lake Campground is popular for its breathtaking views, proximity to crystalline lakes, and easy access to hiking trails. The area is ideal for paddling, fishing, and viewing a range of wildlife from moose to bald eagles.

Best For: Hikers, paddlers, photographers
Facilities: Tent-only, limited amenities
Highlights: Lake vistas, wildlife, sunrise hikes

9. Blackwoods Campground, Acadia National Park, Maine

Located on Mount Desert Island, Blackwoods Campground offers classic East Coast camping with ocean breezes and forested sites. It’s a prime spot to access Acadia’s hiking trails, rugged coastlines, and sunrise views from Cadillac Mountain.

Best For: Families, coastal explorers, sunrise seekers
Facilities: Developed, modern amenities
Highlights: Ocean overlooks, hiking access, nearby Bar Harbor

10. Watchman Campground, Zion National Park, Utah

Watchman Campground sits beside the Virgin River, offering breathtaking red rock canyon scenery. With both tent and RV sites, it provides easy access to Zion’s world-famous trails, including Angels Landing and The Narrows.

Best For: Hikers, scenic drives, stargazers
Facilities: Developed, electric hookups
Highlights: Iconic hikes, river views, shuttle access

11. Many Glacier Campground, Glacier National Park, Montana

With vistas encompassing lakes, rugged peaks, and glacial valleys, Many Glacier Campground is perfect for exploring one of Montana’s grandest wonders. Hiking, boating, and wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with a sense of solitude that’s increasingly rare.

Best For: Backpackers, birdwatchers, nature lovers
Facilities: Developed, limited amenities
Highlights: Lake views, wildlife, peace and quiet

12. Mather Campground, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Grand Canyon’s Mather Campground is minutes from the South Rim, offering shaded sites, family-friendly amenities, and quick access to hiking paths along the rim. The iconic vistas make every sunrise and sunset here a memorable event.

Best For: Families, photographers, first-time visitors
Facilities: Developed, reservation recommended
Highlights: Rim views, ranger programs, shuttle access

13. Signal Mountain Campground, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Situated on Jackson Lake, Signal Mountain Campground offers panoramic Teton mountain vistas, boating access, and wildlife viewing. It’s ideal for anglers as well as those eager to explore high alpine meadows.

Best For: Anglers, hikers, photographers
Facilities: Developed, boat ramp
Highlights: Lake access, mountain views

14. Dunes Campground, Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana

Eastern Lake Michigan’s Dunes Campground is a Midwestern gem, with rolling sand dunes, forested areas, and lakeside beaches nearby. It caters to tent and RV campers alike and provides unique access to fresh water recreation.

Best For: Beach lovers, families, Midwest explorers
Facilities: Developed, amenities
Highlights: Dune hiking, beach swimming

15. Yosemite Valley Campgrounds, Yosemite National Park, California

Yosemite hosts several popular campgrounds within the valley, such as North Pines and Upper Pines, where campers are surrounded by granite cliffs, waterfalls, and immense forests. Early reservations are a must, as these sites fill quickly.

Best For: Hikers, photographers, families
Facilities: Developed, full amenities
Highlights: Sightseeing, hiking trails, iconic vistas

16. Norris Campground, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Yellowstone’s Norris Campground grants easy access to geothermal features, abundant wildlife, and vast hiking trails. This historic campground is favored for its natural thermal area and central location within the park.

Best For: Geology buffs, wildlife enthusiasts
Facilities: Developed, basic amenities
Highlights: Geysers, bison sightings, hiking

17. Jumbo Rocks Campground, Joshua Tree National Park, California

Set amid otherworldly giant boulders, Jumbo Rocks Campground draws climbers, stargazers, and desert explorers. Many sites are tucked behind massive rocks and offer amazing nighttime skies and access to hiking trails winding through Joshua tree forests.

Best For: Rock climbers, photographers, astrophotographers
Facilities: Primitive, no water or hookups
Highlights: Boulders, stargazing, desert solitude

18. Sunset Campground, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

Sunset Campground is aptly named for its proximity to Bryce Canyon’s sunset-hued amphitheater, showcasing thousands of vibrant hoodoos. Campers enjoy direct trail access, ranger-led programs, and incredible stargazing thanks to clear high desert skies.

Best For: Families, hikers, astronomy enthusiasts
Facilities: Developed, modern restrooms
Highlights: Hoodoo views, ranger programs, dark skies

19. Piñon Flats Campground, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado

Piñon Flats Campground sits adjacent to the tallest dunes in North America, where campers can sled on sand, gaze at distant peaks, and walk through cottonwood groves. It’s kid-friendly, offers access to Medano Creek for seasonal water play, and sparks true adventure.

Best For: Families, sand sledders, hikers
Facilities: Developed, potable water
Highlights: Sand dunes, mountain backdrops, creek swimming

20. Sage Creek Campground, Badlands National Park, South Dakota

This remote, no-frills Sage Creek Campground in Badlands National Park brings a taste of true prairie solitude. Expect to share your site with bison, enjoy big sky sunsets, and find myriad hiking opportunities that introduce you to the “big nothing” beauty for which this park is famous.

Best For: Solitude seekers, tent campers, wildlife enthusiasts
Facilities: Primitive, pit toilets, pack in-pack out
Highlights: Bison herds, prairie openness, hiking

Table: Quick Comparison of Top 5 National Park Campgrounds

Campground	Park	Region	Type	Best For
Lost Creek	Crater Lake	Pacific Northwest	Tent-only	Hiking, solitude
Wonder Lake	Denali	Alaska	Primitive	Wildlife, mountain scenery
Garden Key	Dry Tortugas	Florida	Primitive	Snorkeling, history
Cades Cove	Great Smoky Mountains	Tennessee	Developed	Family, cycling
Colonial Creek South	North Cascades	Washington	Developed	Kayaking, hiking

Top Tips for Planning Your National Park Camping Trip

Reserve sites early—many fill up months in advance, especially at popular parks
Know each campground’s amenities and restrictions before arrival
Pack bear-proof food containers and follow Leave No Trace principles
Prepare for changing weather, particularly at higher elevations
Bring insect repellent in mosquito-prone areas and sun protection in desert/shore environments

Recommended Camping Gear and Ideas

Car Camping Gear: Invest in sturdy tents, sleeping bags for prevailing temperature, camp chairs, and portable stoves
Prevent Mosquito Bites: Use permethrin-treated gear, wear long sleeves, and use EPA-approved repellents
Camping Recipes: Try packable meals such as foil packet dinners or campfire desserts like s’mores and Dutch oven cobblers
Camping Chairs: Consider lightweight, foldable models with cupholders and headrests for extra comfort
Camping with Dogs: Check regulations, bring a tie-out, and pack enough water/food for your pup
Glamping Destinations: Seek out yurts, treehouses, or safari tents for a luxurious twist

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What amenities are typically available at national park campgrounds?

A: Most developed campgrounds offer toilets, potable water, picnic tables, and fire rings; primitive sites may have limited or no amenities and require you to pack in all essentials.

Q: How do I reserve a campsite in a national park?

A: Reservations can be made online through Recreation.gov or the park’s official website. Popular campgrounds fill early, so book as far in advance as possible.

Q: Are pets allowed at national park campgrounds?

A: Policies vary by park. Many sites allow dogs in campgrounds—on leash only—but restrict pets on trails and in backcountry areas. Always check specific regulations before you go.

Q: What season is best for camping in national parks?

A: The ideal season depends on location. Summer is peak season for most parks, but some are best visited in spring or fall to avoid crowds and extreme weather. Winter camping is possible at some parks for experienced campers.

Q: What safety precautions should I take when camping in remote or wildlife-rich areas?

A: Store food in approved bear containers, keep your site clean, follow posted safety rules, and be aware of changing weather and terrain. Know basic first aid and emergency contact information.

Nature Quotes for Inspiration

“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” – John Muir
“The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.” – John Muir

Wherever you set up camp, America’s national parks await with trails, wildlife, and stories found nowhere else. Find your next adventure, pack smart, and let nature’s finest inspire your travels for years to come.