The Most Scenic Campsite in Every State

Lake Quahchita State Park in the town of Mountain Pine boasts the largest lake in Arkansas. It’s also arguably the most beautiful with 40,000 acres of deep, clear, blue water surrounded by trees of the Ouachita National Forest that provide welcome shade in the heat of summer and turn brilliant shades of red and gold in the fall. There are almost 100 campsites, some of which are located on the shores of the lake. There are also four primitive cabins for rent. Activities in the park include hiking, fishing, boating, hot springs, and scuba diving.

Nestled in the mountains, The Amphitheater Campground is high enough to look down on the stunning natural stone amphitheater that towers above the town of Ouray. A mixture of oak and fir trees guarantees beauty and serenity year-round. Each campsite has a fire ring and a picnic table—there are only 35 spots available so be sure to reserve well in advance. The most popular activities are hiking, mountain biking, nature watching, and exploring the town of Ouray, which has a quaint, European vibe that could feel like your canceled vacation abroad.

If you drive along Georgia’s pristine coast towards the city of Savannah, you’ll find Skidaway Island State Park—a park so scenic you’ll want to get up at dawn to make sure you don’t miss a moment of the view. Trails meander through forest and salt marshes and there’s an observation tower to take in the stunning views from above. There are 87 campsites and three air-conditioned rental cabins you’ll want to reserve well in advance. The park features outdoor fitness areas complete with equipment, playgrounds, and volleyball courts. Nearby attractions include Fort McAllister and the lovely city of Savannah.

It’s easy to imagine Illinois in ancient times when you visit Starved Rock State Park in Utica. This incredible area features 18 different canyons, 13 miles of trails, waterfalls, and spectacular sandstone rock formations formed a staggering 425 million years ago. Overhangs perched above the Illinois River offer fantastic vistas. There are plenty of man-made overlooks too to make sure you don’t miss the park’s most gorgeous views. Fishing, hiking, canoeing, cross country skiing in winter, and watching the large population of bald eagles are popular pursuits. The park features campsites or the Starved Rock Lodge for less adventurous types. There’s also a nearby indoor waterpark for family fun and several museums and restaurants.

Nestled in the midst of the Smoky Hills, Wilson State Park takes the top spot for the most scenic camping spot in Kansas. It’s home to the Wilson Reservoir, which is surrounded by jagged cliffs and stone formations. The park is a mecca for bikers, with a 25.5-mile-long bike trail. Fishing and hunting are also popular in dedicated areas of the park, while others have been set aside as bird and wildlife habitats. Swimming and kayaking are also popular pursuits. Campsites are available along with rustic rental cabins.

At first glance, Mammoth Cave National Park might seem like an ordinary park; but don’t be fooled, the park’s best features are underground. Mammoth Cave is the world’s largest cave system, with over 400 miles of underground caves, many of which are open to the public to safely explore. The campground has 111 rustic campsites. Cell service isn’t available so they’re a perfect place to unplug and unwind and there are also vintage cottages available for rent. The above-ground portion of the park features rivers, trails, and forests in which to hike, bike, kayak, and horseback ride.

Grand Isle State Park is located along the shores of the gorgeous Gulf of Mexico, which makes fishing, crabbing, beachcombing, swimming, birdwatching, and sunbathing all popular pursuits here. It’s well worth renting a kayak if you don’t have one because there’s a good chance you’ll spot unique sea life, like stingray and jellyfish while paddling in the water. Some of the park’s campsites are located right on the sand where visitors can listen to the sound of the water lapping against the shore as they fall asleep.

With 47,000 acres of rugged coastal beauty spread out over two islands and a peninsula, the highlights of Acadia National Park include vaulted viewpoints like Cadillac Mountain, the tallest peak on the Atlantic coast, and Thunder Hole, where natural stone walls combine with ocean waves to produce a sound akin to a thunderstorm. There are also ponds, streams, sandy beaches, and picturesque lighthouses to enjoy. The park is home to four campgrounds, some of which are open all year. Reservations are recommended well in advance. If you wish to explore the area outside the park, Bar Harbor is nearby.

Salisbury Beach State Reservation is nestled into the spot where the Merrimack River meets the Atlantic Ocean near the New Hampshire border. The park boasts almost four miles of shoreline frequented by seals and birds while the beach itself consists of stretches of boardwalks, dunes, and white sand. There are almost 500 campsites, laid out to resemble a small town, complete with street signs. Although the sites aren’t located right on the water, they’re a short walk from the beach. Activities include beachcombing, trails for hiking and biking, boating or exploring the nearby town of Salisbury.

Located on the shores of Lake Superior, the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is 42 miles long and only five miles wide. The landscape is stunning with sandstone cliffs that nature has shaped into formations resembling bridges and castles, plus sand dunes, waterfalls, interior lakes, and forests. There are over 100 miles of hiking trails taking you from the beaches to the tops of rocky cliffs. There are 14 different background camping spots in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, each with multiple sites. They are walk-in sites only and only hammocks and tents are permitted.

There are few places more scenic than the Lake of the Ozarks in the Show-Me-State and there’s no better way to explore than at the Lake of the Ozarks State Park. The location combines the unspoiled natural beauty of the lake with forests and walking trails. Boating and fishing are first-rate activities, as are biking, swimming, and horseback riding. Reservations for camping can be made up to a year in advance in four different areas and there are larger sites available for groups and families. There are also outpost cabins and oversized yurts for rent. Neither the yurts nor cabins feature running water.

Nevada 93 is a gorgeous desert drive and one of the best stops on your road trip is a camping trip to Cathedral Gorge State Park in Panaca. The park gets its name from the towering Cathedral-like rock formations that rise up from the desert landscape. Nature has carved out awe-inspiring slot canyons which seem to go on forever and make hiking here a unique pleasure. The campground offers 22 sites available only on a first come first serve basis, except in the case of large groups who can reserve in advance. Each site features a ramada for shade and protection from the hot Nevada sun.

If you are planning on road tripping through New Mexico north, be sure to build time to camp at Cimarron Canyon State Park in Eagle Nest. The Cimarron River flows through rugged stone canyons, providing an awe-inspiring backdrop to your visit. The water is clear and a popular spot for anglers. Wildlife including bear, elk, deer, and wild turkey abound since the park is part of the more than 33,000 acres of the Colin Nesbitt Wildlife area. The park also features hiking and horse trails. There are four different campgrounds in the park with over 90 individual sites to choose from.

Carolina Beach State Park is located on North Carolina’s Pleasure Island on the Cape Fear River and it definitely lives up to its name. The campground is serene and shaded by trees and there are miles of hiking trails, most of which are flat and easy to walk—and of course, soft, sandy beaches to explore. The carnivorous plant Venus Flytrap is one of the many things you can expect to find growing in the wild here. There are 79 campsites plus two set aside for large groups. There are also four rental cabins complete with heat and air conditioning.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park in the Badlands of North Dakota was named for the president who came to the area to hunt bison in 1883. Today bison roam the park and catching sight of their herds is an unforgettable experience. You might also spot feral horses, elk, deer, pronghorn, prairie dogs, and more. The park itself is comprised of three areas of badlands. Breathtaking rock formations rise out of golden plains and Painted Canyon reaches across the landscape as far as you can see. It’s a stellar place for hiking or even just to take a scenic drive. The park has two scenic campgrounds including reservation-only group sites. The rest are available on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Salt Fork State Park is the largest state park in Ohio with almost 20,000 beautiful acres to play in and explore. Expect rolling hills covered by verdant forests, punctuated by meadows, valleys, lakes, and meandering brooks. Waterfalls and sandstone bluffs add grandeur and distinction to the landscape. Golf, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, and swimming are among the park’s most popular activities. The park has 212 regular campsites in addition to dedicated sites for larger groups and campers who have horses. There are also rental cottages and a traditional lodge available.

Beavers Bend State Park is located in the mountains of southern Oklahoma where the Mountain Fork River meets Broken Bow Lake. Lush forests surround the banks of the crystal blue lake, offering beauty and shade. The park’s streams are stocked with trout year-around—a big draw for anglers. Other activities include an 18 hole golf course, nature trails, tennis and volleyball courts, boating, floating, and horseback riding. The park offers almost 400 traditional campsites spread out over eight different areas of the park in addition to rental cabins and a large lodge. Not up for traveling?

Benton’s Ricketts Glen State Park makes this list because it combines incredible scenery with enough diverse activities to satisfy nearly everyone. For starters, there are over 13,000 acres to explore, stretching out across three different counties. The crown jewel of the park is the Glen Natural Area, a 2,500-acre forest filled with wandering streams and majestic waterfalls. The park also includes lakes for swimming and water sports, trails, and is open for winter activities such as snowmobiling and cross country skiing. Hunting is allowed in dedicated areas in season. There are 120 camping sites, some of which are open year-round.

Burlingame State Park and Campground in Rhode Island sprinkles 700 campsites and 20 rental cabins over 3,100 wooded acres surrounding the scenic Watchaug Pond. There are gorgeous hiking trails, beaches for swimming, and more than 50 outdoor fireplaces to roast marshmallows for s’mores or simply stay warm after the sun begins to wane. Fishing and boating are also extremely popular here. The park is within a short drive to Charlestown so be sure to build in time to spend a day there. Enjoy a gorgeous oceanfront beach, the Frosty Drew Observatory and Science Center, and a variety of restaurants serving fantastic fresh seafood.

South Dakota is known for being home to incredible parks and each is scenic in its own way. Hartford Beach State Park is truly exceptional for its scenic views, array of activities, and history. Located in the glacial lake area of the state, in a section of River Warren dubbed Big Stone Lake, the park features sweeping views of the water, forests, and the impressive rock bluffs that tower above it all. Be sure to hike the Village View Trail which guides you to viewpoints in which to take in ancient Native American mounds. Other activities include volleyball, swimming, kayaking, snowshoeing, fishing, and more. There are 91 campsites and a number of rental cabins available.

If you’re driving the Natchez Trace Parkway, be sure to allow time for an unforgettable camping trip at Natchez Trace State Park in Wildersville. This stunning park offers 48,000 acres of natural beauty and activity. There are numerous hiking trails traversing amid forests, meadows, lakes, and streams, for every skill level, including a 40 mile, overnight trail for the hardiest of adventurers. Swimming, boating, fishing, and horseback riding are also immensely popular. There are three traditional campgrounds in addition to backcountry camping options and rental cabins available. The park also offers a traditional lodge and campers are welcome in the restaurant.

Virginia’s Skyline Drive is one of the loveliest roads in America and it’s less than 75 miles from Washington D.C. It takes you to Shenandoah National Park, a nature lover’s paradise filled with waterfalls, incredible sunsets, rolling hills, lush forests, and meadows blanketed by wildflowers. You’ll share this 200,000-acre paradise with bears, deer, countless varieties of birds, and other creatures as you explore the hiking trails. There are five campgrounds to choose from and backcountry camping is also available with a permit. Be sure to be cautious about food storage so as not to attract a hungry bear.

The Olympic National Park in Washington State offers so many gorgeous landscapes it almost seems to defy reality. The park is nearly a million acres ranging from the towering peaks of snow-capped mountains to rugged Pacific Ocean coastline to an old-growth rainforest. It is common to see herds of elk, bear, deer, mountain goats, cougars, and more. The park is the perfect place for a leisurely picnic or a weeks-long backpacking adventure. There are 14 different campgrounds with multiple sites to choose from. Most are first come first serve and backcountry camping requires a permit.

Stonewall Resort State Park in Roanoke sits on 1,900 gorgeous acres of hiking trails, rolling hills, and picturesque forests. The crown jewel of the park is Stonewall Jackson Lake which offers 82 miles of shoreline to explore. Boating is popular here and kayaks are paddleboards are available for guests who want to soak up the view from the center of the lake. When you’re through, an 18 hole course golf course awaits you. Camping is available at the park’s Briar Point Campground. There are also lakeside cottage rentals available and a stunning Adirondack inspired lodge with a spa and two restaurants. Other area attractions include the rumored-to-be haunted Trans Allegheny Lunatic Asylum and Stonewall Sporting Clays which offers heated stands for year-round sports shooting.