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The Top 5 Most Scenic Camping Sites in the USA: Travel Guide

Find out the best camping places with promising scenery that's sure to take your breath away.
William Brown

Prelude

There is no shortage of beautiful landscapes in the US. You can take a road trip from one coast to the next and you will be able to see breathtaking sites in every State. Nature lovers will be able to get the most out of this as there are numerous amazing sites to pitch a tent, enjoy the surroundings and then move on to the next one!
Crisp fresh air, majestic mountains and glorious lakes and streams, so clear that you can see straight to the bottom is in abundance; yours to search and explore. Not only that, but most camping sites offer more modern luxuries such as built-up camping grounds, electricity and running water and RV accessible points.
So you have a choice to take it easy with a leisurely and comfortable camping trip, or to properly rough it out if you’re more of the adventurous type! Get some Bluetooth speakers as well to get the entertainment going (Audiostance is the perfect place to start). Just a shortlist of some of the most amazing and scenic camping sites around the U.S.

1) White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire

For those looking for a more authentic wilderness experience, camping in the mountains should be a top choice! The terrain is rugged and challenging in the Appalachian mountain range, but for a hardy, adventurous soul, it’s definitely worth the effort! Stunning views are hard to miss, especially during fall.
Offering 800 campsites, scattered through 24 different drive-in campgrounds, you will definitely be able to bring the family for a fun camping trip, while still being able to provide the necessary comfort. These sites do require a reservation. This is great as you will be able to bring your vehicle with you to the camping site.
A good idea would be to invest in a hitch cargo carrier for your vehicle, so you’ll be able to pack everything from tents, sleeping bags, food, fishing rods and whatever you might need! It is open year-round. Daily passes are available at affordable rates with flexible time slots. Backcountry camping is free. Parking needs permit.

2) Acadia National Park, Maine

Located on Mount Desert Island, Acadia National Park is an absolute stunner and ideal destination for a nature lover. Maine is known as the Pine Tree State and lives up to its name due to being covered in 17 million acres of forest. It has around 6000 lakes and ponds and 32000 miles of beautiful rivers and streams!
If you’re feeling up to it, take a hike up to the top of Cadillac Mountain, which is the highest point on the East Coast. If you do this before dawn, you will be the first person in the US to see the sunrise! The park has 3 camping locations that you can set up a tent: Blackwoods, Seawall, and Schoodic Woods, which is surrounded by water.
Blackwoods is open year-round for camping, but a permit is required for December and March. Seawall is open from the end of May to September and Schoodic is available for camping from late May to Mid October. Camping costs vary depending on the time of year. For more information on the prices, feel free to take a look at the park’s website.

3) Minnewaska State Park Reserve, New York

Situated on Shawangunk Ridge, 94 miles outside of New York City, you’ll find Minnewaska State Park Reserve. Known to have a bit more of a rocky terrain, this is a perfect hub for hikers and mountain bikers and doesn’t shy away from boasting with some pretty spectacular views.
It offers 35 miles of carriage roads, 50 miles of footpaths, beautiful rock formations, sheer cliffs, and waterfalls, stunning lakes and dense forests. This park should definitely feature on the top of any camper and nature lover’s list! If you’re experienced enough and up to the challenge you can also try out technical rock climbing or horseback riding!
Offering 24 drive-in spots and 26 walk-in spots, you’re sure to fit in the entire family for a wonderful camping experience. Sites can accommodate a maximum of 2 tents. However, due to the camping site being really popular with families, reservations are definitely a good idea!

4) Green Mountain National Forest, Vermont

When it comes to the Green Mountain National Forest, one of the most popular points of interest is Vermont’s Long Trail. Apart from being absolutely breathtakingly beautiful, it also holds some historic value as being the oldest long-distance trail in the US. The 270-mile trail follows the Green Mountains ridge through the Massachusetts border to Canada.
Offering 5 develop campgrounds, it's important to note that there are no electrical supply or dump stations throughout the forest. So if you’re not an avid camper, it’s best to sit this one out. Access to these camping grounds is dependent on season and some do require a reservation. The park is open year-round. Also, there are no entrance or camping fees!

5) The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee

Being America’s most-visited national park it's safe to assume that this park would feature on this list! With the abundance of fauna, flora, majestic waterfalls and beautiful mountain ranges, this park, with its storied past, is definitely one for the history books and a hiker’s delight! More than 70 prehistoric era structures can still be seen today.
It offers 10 camping grounds, all with running water and ablution blocks. There are designated sites for backcountry camping, but you will be required to obtain a permit and advance reservations. The Cades Cove and Smokemount campgrounds are open throughout the year, whereas the other camping grounds will be closed during winter seasons.

Finally!

There are countless camping sites to be enjoyed throughout the US! It is almost impossible to choose which is best, as they all offer their own unique treats. One thing is certain, every single one of them offers beautiful unique vistas, outdoor experiences, and challenges that should not be missed!