the ultimate usa camping bucket list

The ULTIMATE ULTIMATE USA Camping Bucket List

A“fresh air” vacation has never been more relevant. The campgrounds of America 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 that are carved into vast pieces of wilderness. 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. From this spot, 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. I like that this 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. I like that 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 are abundant in Acadia.

ASSATEAGUE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE, MARYLAND Home to a pack of wild Chincoteague ponies, Assateague Island is unlike any other camping site in the world. This is my top pick for coastal camping in the USA due to the island’s mild weather, sprawling shoreline and majestic ponies. You will be able to relax in the sand or take beach walks while observing packs of beautiful ponies running along with the tides or playing in groups. Just be sure to be respectful and keep your distance! The layout on the island includes wide beaches, gentle bays, marshes and maritime forests. The fact that there’s not much “to do” here is actually why you’ll want to visit! Taking beach walks and exploring by kayak should keep you plenty busy. When sleeping overnight at Assateague, you’ll be staying in the island’s Maryland district.

PORCUPINE STATE PARK, MICHIGAN If you’re looking for a camping site in the USA with trails for days, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is a top pick. Nestled in the Porkies in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, this rugged park encompasses 60,000 acres of beautiful hardwood-hemlock forest, vistas, waterfalls, lakes and rivers. You’ll have more than 90 miles of designated trails to cover, offering the best views of any nature spot in the Midwest. The park also covers parts of the Lake Superior shoreline. For views, I like the Porcupine Mts-East and West Vista Trail (2.5 miles), Porcupine MtsGovernment Peak Trail (7.3 miles) and Porcupine Mts-Lake Superior Trail (17 miles). Set between two ridges, Lake of the Clouds is a pool of sapphire that should make your Porcupine itinerary. I also recommend a visit to the Summit Peak observation tower. My disclaimer is that camping in the Porkies is ideal for prepared, experienced campers. The park offers 63 backcountry camping sites to choose from.

VALLEY OF FIRE STATE PARK, NEVADA Valley of Fire State Park offers a dramatic, ruddy sandstone terrain of canyons and formations located 16 miles outside of Overton. Nevada’s oldest and largest state park, Valley of Fire provides close to 50,000 acres of geological delights to explore. Visitors can settle in at one of the park’s dozens of highly accommodating campsites. The park’s terrain is peppered with ancient petrified trees and peak after peak of Aztec sandstone. Highlights to add to your visit include the two-mile loop at Arch Rock, the Seven Sisters boulders, Elephant rock and the petroglyphs at Atlatl Rock.