15 Best National Parks for Camping

# 15 Best National Parks for Camping

There's nothing quite like falling asleep under the stars in a national park. Here are the best parks for camping experiences, from developed campgrounds to backcountry adventures.

## Top 15 Parks for Camping

### 1. Glacier National Park, Montana
Camp among pristine lakes and towering peaks in one of America's most stunning parks.

**Best Campgrounds:**
- Many Glacier: Dramatic mountain scenery
- St. Mary: Lake views and easy access
- Apgar: Largest campground, near Lake McDonald

**Why It's Great:**
- Multiple campgrounds across the park
- Mix of reservable and first-come sites
- Incredible stargazing
- Wildlife viewing from camp

**Pro Tip:** Fish Creek and Apgar fill early; arrive before noon for first-come sites.

### 2. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Wake up to the iconic Teton Range at some of America's most scenic campgrounds.

**Best Campgrounds:**
- Jenny Lake: Small, coveted location
- Signal Mountain: Lake and mountain views
- Gros Ventre: Largest, most available

**Why It's Great:**
- Stunning mountain backdrop
- Great wildlife viewing
- Close to hiking trails
- Near Jackson Hole amenities

### 3. Yosemite National Park, California
From valley campgrounds to high-country sites, Yosemite offers diverse camping.

**Best Campgrounds:**
- North Pines: Valley location, river access
- Upper Pines: Near Half Dome trails
- Tuolumne Meadows: High-country camping

**Why It's Great:**
- Iconic scenery
- Excellent rock climbing access
- Ranger programs at camps
- Multiple camping environments

**Pro Tip:** Reservations open 5 months ahead and sell out in minutes.

### 4. Olympic National Park, Washington
Three distinct ecosystems mean varied camping experiences.

**Best Campgrounds:**
- Kalaloch: Oceanfront camping
- Hoh Rain Forest: Rainforest camping
- Sol Duc: Near hot springs

**Why It's Great:**
- Beach camping with tide pools
- Rainforest atmosphere
- Diverse landscapes
- Less crowded than many parks

### 5. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Camp near geysers, wildlife, and incredible thermal features.

**Best Campgrounds:**
- Madison: Central location, elk herds
- Canyon: Near Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
- Bridge Bay: Lake access

**Why It's Great:**
- Wildlife viewing from camp
- Multiple locations throughout park
- Ranger evening programs
- Full services available

### 6. Zion National Park, Utah
Camp beneath towering red rock cliffs in this stunning canyon.

**Best Campgrounds:**
- South Campground: Walk to shuttle
- Watchman: Riverside sites
- Lava Point: Primitive high-country

**Why It's Great:**
- Walking distance to trails
- Incredible night skies
- Quieter than nearby hotels
- Fall colors spectacular

### 7. Acadia National Park, Maine
East Coast's premier park camping with ocean access.

**Best Campgrounds:**
- Blackwoods: Near Sand Beach
- Seawall: Quieter, west side
- Schoodic Woods: Newest, least crowded

**Why It's Great:**
- Coastal scenery
- First sunrise in America
- Cool summer temperatures
- Excellent accessibility

### 8. Big Bend National Park, Texas
Remote desert camping with the darkest skies in the lower 48.

**Best Campgrounds:**
- Chisos Basin: Mountain camping
- Rio Grande Village: River access
- Cottonwood: Quiet and remote

**Why It's Great:**
- World-class stargazing
- Desert solitude
- Hot springs nearby
- Winter perfect temperatures

### 9. Joshua Tree National Park, California
Unique desert camping among iconic Joshua trees.

**Best Campgrounds:**
- Hidden Valley: Popular climbing camp
- Jumbo Rocks: Massive boulder formations
- Belle: Small and intimate

**Why It's Great:**
- Amazing night sky
- Unique landscape
- Great for bouldering
- Near Palm Springs

### 10. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Free camping in America's most visited park.

**Best Campgrounds:**
- Elkmont: Largest, good facilities
- Cades Cove: Wildlife viewing
- Cataloochee: Elk viewing

**Why It's Great:**
- Free admission (campground fees only)
- Bear activity common
- Historic structures
- Excellent fall foliage

### 11-15: More Great Options

### 11. Death Valley National Park
Desert camping with incredible stargazing and solitude.

### 12. Bryce Canyon National Park
Camp among the hoodoos with excellent night programs.

### 13. Crater Lake National Park
Camp near the bluest lake in America.

### 14. Grand Canyon National Park
Rim camping with unbeatable views.

### 15. North Cascades National Park
Wilderness camping in Washington's Alps.

## Camping Tips

### Reservations
- Book 6 months ahead for popular parks
- Check recreation.gov for all reservations
- Some parks have first-come, first-served options

### Essential Gear
- Four-season tent (mountains can be cold)
- Warm sleeping bag
- Bear canister (required in many parks)
- Headlamp with red light
- Camp stove and fuel

### Wildlife Safety
- Store food in bear boxes or canisters
- Never leave food in tents
- Keep a clean camp
- Know local wildlife concerns

*Plan your camping adventure with our trip planner!*