The
ULTIMATE USA Camping Bucket List
A
“fresh air” vacation has never been more relevant. America’s campgrounds are gems sprinkled throughout forests, prairies, and mountains that deserve to be explored without distraction. Staying in a campground located within a stunning park or wilderness area instead of checking out for the night to stay at a hotel is preferred. Admittedly, it can be intimidating to plan a camping vacation in parks carved into vast wilderness pieces. However, the rewards for “roughing it” include stunning first-light views, front-row seats to wilderness spectacles, and the ability to unwind like never before! Are you looking for the best places to camp in America? Please take a look at my USA camping bucket list for some inspiration that will take you from the shorelines to the desert. 6 || Terra Travelers
OCALA NATIONAL FOREST, FLORIDA Ocala is no ordinary forest. You can start a hike that will take you along one of the most beautiful stretches of the 1,300-mile Florida National Scenic Trail. The campground offers variety through its dozens of full-service campgrounds, ultraprimitive campsites, and cabins. Ocala’s big draw is that it’s home to the world’s largest contiguous sand pine scrub forest. The park also contains more than 600 bodies of water. My top pick when visiting Ocala National Forest is a visit to Alexander Springs. This first-magnitude spring maintains a consistent temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Surrounded by cabbage palms and maples, this beautiful oasis features a gentle slope that’s inviting for swimmers of all ages.
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK, MAINE Acadia National Park covers 47,000 impressive acres of forested land on Mount Desert Island. In addition to thousands of lakes and ponds, the park is cut by 32,000 miles of running rivers and trickling streams. Camping inside Acadia is very organized. When booking your spot, you’ll be choosing between Blackwoods, Seawall and Schoodic Woods. Opt for Blackwoods if you’d like to camp in a spot where you’ll see more people because this campground is on the Bar Harbor side of the park. The 1,530-foot peak of Cadillac Mountain defines Acadia’s landscape. This is the highest point on the North Atlantic seaboard. You’ll also enjoy the juxtaposition of deeply wooded terrain and rocky Atlantic beaches. Moose, whales, and large sea birds.
