10 Best Campsites for Summer Camping Trips
No season is more closely associated with camping than the summer. Great weather makes for great camping experiences, and whether you enjoy fishing, boating, hiking or bird watching, your active season starts around June.
Of course, you need to find a great park to make the most of your experience. Here are 10 campsites that are popular, gorgeous options for your next summer trip.
BEST SUMMER CAMPING TRIPS
1. SIUSLAW NATIONAL FOREST - OREGON
Cape Perpetua is an excellent campground with an oceanfront view. It's surrounded by Sitka spruces and other old-growth vegetation, and you'll enjoy great views on every side of your campsite. Thanks to Oregon's temperate climate, you can visit throughout the summer. This is an especially popular campground during June and July, so make reservations early if you can.
2. JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK - CALIFORNIA
This camp has something for hikers, mountaineers and geologists. Compared to other parks in California, it has a bit of a desert setting, so bring plenty of water and check weather forecasts frequently when planning your trip. Try to land a spot at the Ryan Campground for the best experience.
3. COLORADO BEND STATE PARK - TEXAS
This park on the Colorado River offers fantastic fishing and plenty of opportunities for exploration. It's not as massive as some of the other parks on this list, but it's the epitome of Texan camping thanks to more than 5,000 glorious acres of land and river. Colorado Bend State Park charges entrance and activity fees, so you'll want to call ahead to schedule your trip.
4. ACADIA NATIONAL PARK - MAINE
This legendary park features hiking trails, biking paths, woody campgrounds and beautiful beaches. It offers pretty much everything that's right about the summer. If you live on the East Coast, Acadia is an excellent place to start. The eastern side of the park is probably best for families, but the western side offers excellent sites for experienced campers who appreciate a bit of solitude.
5. BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK - TEXAS
Located in Far West Texas, Big Bend National Park gets a little tough in the middle of the summer. We recommend visiting early in the season to view gorgeous blooming cacti and sprawling canyons. Big Bend National Park is great for bird watchers, hikers, geology fans and anyone who appreciates a slightly different camping experience.
6. MARK TWAIN NATIONAL FOREST - MISSOURI
Check out Big Bay Recreation Area in Mark Twain National forest. You can enjoy a 53,000 acre lake in the Ozarks, a hardwood forest, a full marina and a sun-drenched beach right in the heart of Missouri. This is an especially attractive site for fans of fishing, boating and other water activities.
7. MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK - WASHINGTON
The state of Washington is home to some tremendous national parks that perfectly display the beauty of the American Northwest. Mount Rainier National Park is arguably the best park in the state; from campgrounds like Ohanapecosh, you can hike miles of trails and enjoy the pristine beauty of the park's mountains, meadows and forests. During your trip, be sure to check out some of the waterfalls.
8. BIG BASIN REDWOODS STATE PARK - CALIFORNIA
This is the oldest state park in California. In the last few years, campers have made a point to visit the Little Basin, a former retreat for Hewlett-Packard employees that is now open for public visitation and camping. If you've never seen an enormous old growth forest before, now's the time to start packing for your summer trip. The massive redwoods at Big Basin Redwoods State Park are well worth a look. You can also check out a number of waterfalls and a tremendous number of animal and plant species during your trip.
9. ALLEGANY STATE PARK - NEW YORK
Many New York residents head to the beach for the summer. Allegany State Park certainly has its share of beaches, but there are also hiking and walking trails, numerous park amenities and gorgeous wooded surroundings. We recommend the Quaker area for summer trips. You can explore caves, rent a canoe and even enjoy a game of basketball or volleyball at the campsite's courts.
10. SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA
In the middle of the summer, a trip to the mountains can provide a nice change of pace. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks offer dozens of campsites in central California, ranging in elevation from 2,100 to 7,800 feet above sea level. This is bear country, so be sure to take appropriate precautions to protect your food and keep yourself safe during your trip.