The Happiness Function

There are plenty of amazing places in America to go camping. So many that even avid campers might not know them all. A popular outdoorsy internet forum weighs in on the 10 best camping spots in America for adventure seekers. Here’s where you should make plans for your next weekend camping trip.

1. The Adirondacks

The Adirondack Park is best known for its expansive pristine forests, lakes, rivers, and outdoor recreation opportunities. Unlike a national park, the Adirondack Park has no entrance or entry fee. It contains public land and private lands where people live year-round.

2. Catskill Mountains

The Catskill Mountains lie in southeastern New York State. This area is known for its rich wildlife and hiking and biking trails. It also offers opportunities for rock climbing and abundant lakes, ponds, creeks, and streams for those with water adventures in mind.

3. Boundary Waters Canoe Area

On the border of Minnesota and Canada sits the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. One commenter says this campground is “absolutely the most beautiful park I have ever been to.” A major positive is that no motorized vehicles are allowed, so the park is as it was one thousand years ago. They add, “The water is so clean you can drink straight from the stream.”

4. D.L. Bliss Campground

D.L. Bliss Campground is located on the southwest side of Lake Tahoe in California. According to one avid camper, it has fantastic campsites that offer tons of shade and excellent bathrooms. In addition, it is just a fifteen-minute drive from town and has a decent lake view.

5. Panther Flat Campground

Panther Flat is the largest and most popular campground in the Smith River National Recreation Area (NRA), with 38 campsites. It is located on a flat about 50 feet above the Middle Fork of Smith River in California. One happy camper claims they are “pretty fond of” this place and have gone several times.

6. Kalaloch Beach Campground

The perfect Kalaloch getaway is different for everyone. Some prefer the coziness and sense of community in the Main Lodge. Others prefer the relative privacy of the cabins – perfect for family outings or romantic getaways. You can find pristine Pacific beaches, a marine sanctuary, miles of hiking trails, and the lush, temperate rainforest that makes the Olympic Peninsula in Washington so special.

An outdoorsman that highly recommends it here says, “I appreciate that they’ve designated a bunch of sites as non-reservation walk-up sites,” before adding that it has a downside. “It’s a typical national park-developed campground.”

7. Bruneau Sand Dunes

With one of the longest camping seasons in the Idaho Parks system, Bruneau Dunes State Park offers camping opportunities throughout the year. Explore the dunes in your hiking boots or rent a sandboard from the Visitor Center, but off-road vehicles are only permitted on the main road.

Doesn’t sandboarding sound so fun?

8. Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Established in 1902, Big Basin Redwoods is California’s oldest state park. Its biggest attractions are its ancient coast redwoods. It is just one and a half hours from San Francisco. The park also offers spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, many babbling brooks, and fascinating natural history.

9. Mount Tamalpais State Park

Just north of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, one of the most visited national parks in America, Mount Tamalpais State Park is in the heart of Marin County, California. Its deep canyons and sweeping hillsides are cloaked with cool redwood forests, oak woodlands, open grasslands, and sturdy chaparral.

This state park has great cycling, hiking, and walking trails and is close to Stinson Beach. No reservations are allowed, however, so be aware of that.

10. French Broad River Campground

The French Broad River Campground is located in Asheville, North Carolina. Several campers say it is a small, family-owned business with attentive and responsive customer care. The campsites are right on the French Broad River and are roomy and clean.

Where are some of your favorite camping spots in the US? We want to hear.

This thread inspired this post.

Featured Image Credit: AlexLipa/Depositphotos.com.

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