Washington's Olympic National Park spans coastline, mountains, and rain forests, providing visitors with different experiences depending on what part of the park you visit. The park has 14 established campgrounds, including front-country and group sites but visitors can also enjoy wilderness camping, which offers a more rugged experience. For backcountry camping, obtain a permit online or at a ranger station and check the park’s campground website for reservation details.

A wonderland of ancient geology, Canyonlands National Park is filled with deep canyons, pinnacles, cliffs, and spurs. With only two campgrounds, camping here provides an immersive experience in this rugged landscape. Canyonlands also has extensive backcountry where backpacking, four-wheel driving, boating, bicycling, and more can be enjoyed. Backcountry camping requires a permit and careful planning to navigate the park’s remote terrain.

With beautiful forested trails, sweeping views, bright blue lakes, and plenty of campsites, North Cascades is a hiker’s paradise. Options vary from car camping to wilderness camping to several boat-in campgrounds, catering to all adventure levels. Time stands still here amidst the mountains and the lake, but backcountry permits are required for camping, so be sure to plan accordingly by visiting the park’s website for more details.

This California desert draws crowds each year for rock climbing, wildflower viewing, and camping. Visit Joshua Tree National Park from June to September for the best chance of finding a prime camping spot. Some areas are first-come, first-served, while the majority of the 500 campsites in the park are available by reservation. No matter where you camp in Joshua Tree, you’re sure to have an adventurous outdoor experience.

Known for its wild horses, Assateague Island National Seashore offers a unique coastal camping experience. Camping is available only in the Maryland district of Assateague Island, which features oceanside and bayside sites for tents, trailers, and RVs. Be prepared for variable weather, mosquitos, and secure food storage to avoid wildlife. Reservations are required from March 15 through November 15. Visit the park’s website for more information on reservations and campground details.

Big Cypress National Preserve, located in the heart of Florida’s Everglades, offers a unique camping experience in a subtropical environment. Guests can choose from several campgrounds, or with 729,000 acres of backcountry, visitors can immerse themselves in the beauty and challenge of the Preserve by backcountry camping. A permit is needed for all backcountry camping and can be found online, at every backcountry trailhead, or at both visitor centers.

Camping at El Morro National Monument offers a serene experience with 9 first-come, first-served campsites. Located at the base of a striking sandstone bluff, the campground provides basic amenities including picnic tables, fire grates, and pit toilets, however, visitors should come prepared with their own water and supplies. The nights are clear and starry, perfect for stargazing, and although no reservations are required, check the park’s website for campground rules and details.

Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Known for its diversity of plant and animal life, and the beauty of its mountains, this is America's most visited national park. Visitors can stay in one of the park’s 10 frontcountry campgrounds or choose from one of its backcountry sites, making it an ideal getaway for any avid camper. Make sure to check the park’s website for reservation details.

Nestled within scenic Arkansas, camping at Buffalo National River is a great summer outdoor experience. Pitch a tent along the riverbanks or find a place to camp at one of the park’s backcountry sites. Explore hiking trails that wind through forests, kayak or canoe along the clear waters, or unwind by the campfire. With designated campgrounds equipped with basic amenities and primitive sites for the more adventurous, Buffalo National River is an ideal summer retreat.

With views of rugged mountains and pastoral landscapes of the Appalachian Highlands, a summer drive down to Blue Ridge Parkway is an experience unlike any other. Visitors can stay at one of the parkway’s eight campgrounds with facilities ranging from basic to more developed sites equipped with RV hookups, or venture into one of the three backcountry campgrounds. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak seasons, so make sure to check the park’s website for information.