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Our 10 Favorite U.S. National Park Campgrounds

By: Author Bram Reusen

Posted on Last updated:

Whenever we visit a (new) national park, we always try to do two things: camp at least one night and do at least one long day hike.

I wholeheartedly believe that you can’t experience a national park to the fullest without spending the night there. As the saying goes, in many national parks “half the park is after dark.”

Best Campgrounds in U.S. National Parks

Hammock at Diablo Lake and Colonial Creek Campground, North Cascades

Night brings out an entirely different side of a park—any park. When vision is gone, or greatly inhibited, other senses have to take over. Your ears pick up more sounds, your sense of awareness is heightened.

Stars sparkle in the sky above, while nocturnal animals go about their nightly business. Some parks might even put on a Northern Lights show.

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Our Top 10 Most Memorable National Park Campgrounds

Campfire in Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado

Is it obvious that I really enjoy camping? I love setting up camp and exploring the surroundings of my new “home” for the night. From dusk through darkness to dawn, spending a night camping in a national park is one of my favorite things to do on the planet.

Although we’ve camped in and near several national parks all across the United States, there are many more I can’t wait to set up camp in.

So far, though, these are our favorite national park campgrounds.

Note: campsite fees mentioned below are accurate as of the summer of 2020. Please check the respective website(s) for up-to-date rates.

10. Lewis Mountain Campground, Shenandoah National Park, VA

Lewis Mountain Campground and Cabins, Shenandoah National Park camping

The smallest campground in Shenandoah National Park, Lewis Mountain has only 31 campsites, including both RV and tent sites. In addition to campsites, there are more than a dozen basic cabins, too.

During my stay at Lewis Mountain, I stayed at one of those cabins, which with a comfy bed, bathroom, grill and table, offer everything you need for a few days in this glorious mountain park.

More facilities are available elsewhere at the campground, though, including laundry, a small grocery store, restrooms and showers. That’s pretty impressive for a campground this small.

Hiker at Bearfence Mountain, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Lewis Mountain Campground is a great little spot for a quiet stay in Shenandoah’s verdant forests, appealing to visitors who’d like to avoid the large and much busier campgrounds in the park, such as Big Meadows and Loft Mountain.

I also really loved its proximity to some of the best overlooks, sunrise spots and waterfalls in Shenandoah National Park.

  • Location: Mile 57.5 on Skyline Drive
  • Number of sites: 31 campsites + 15 cabins
  • Drinking water: Yes
  • Showers: Yes
  • Electric hookups: No
  • Reservations: No, first-come first-served
  • Nightly rate: $15 (more for cabins)
  • More information: https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm

Things to See and Do Near Lewis Mountain Campground

9. Stovepipe Wells Campground, Death Valley National Park, CA

Stovepipe Wells Campground, Death Valley National Park campgrounds

Located in Stovepipe Wells Village, one of two developed areas in Death Valley National Park, the Stovepipe Wells Campground is operated by the National Park Service. It is adjacent to a general store and a small RV park.

What I personally liked most about this particular campground, one of several in Death Valley, is its location near convenient amenities and some of the park’s top attractions.

The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, for example, are just a few minutes up the road. Those dunes are amazing at sunrise or sunset, not to mention a fantastic spot to enjoy some world-class stargazing.

Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes at sunset, Death Valley National Park photos

Additionally, when camping at Stovepipe Wells Campground, you can also use the private resort’s showers and swimming pool for a small fee. Absolutely worth it in the hottest place on Earth. There’s a fun saloon right across the street as well.

Note: Because of extreme summer heat, the Stovepipe Wells Campground, which lies at sea level, is closed in summer. It is open from late fall through spring.

  • Location: Stovepipe Wells Village
  • Number of sites: 190
  • Drinking water: Yes
  • Showers: Yes, across the road for a small fee
  • Electric hookups: No (hookups are available at the adjacent RV park)
  • Reservations: No, first-come first-served
  • Nightly rate: $14
  • More information: https://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/camping.htm

Things to See and Do Near Stovepipe Wells Campground

8. Piñon Flats Campground, Great Sand Dunes National Park, CO

Pinon Flats Campground, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado

The only campground in Colorado’s Great Sand Dunes National Park, Piñon Flats offers amazing views of North America’s tallest sand dunes.

From your campsite, especially when camping on Loop 1, you have a beautiful unobstructed view of this massive dune field, as well as the mountains beyond.

The Dunes Trail starts at the campground and runs straight to this sandy playground, which is popular among children and adults alike. I highly recommend renting a sled or sand board for an afternoon of unparalleled fun—I guarantee you’ll feel like a kid again.

As an International Dark Sky Park, Great Sand Dunes is also a great place to see the Milky Way and other astronomical objects.

Pinon Flats Campground in Great Sand Dunes National Park

Sites can accommodate both RVs and tents, but be aware that large RVs over 35 feet in length might have trouble clearing tree branches or turning corners at this campground.

Things to See and Do Near Piñon Flats Campground

7. Watchman Campground, Zion National Park, UT

Watchman Campground tent, Zion National Park camping

One of two neighboring campgrounds near the South Entrance of Zion National Park, the Watchman Campground is an amazing base to explore this canyon wonderland.

It offers easy access to the Zion Visitor Center, a Zion Canyon Shuttle Bus stop and popular trails like the Watchman Trail and Pa’rus Trail. The scenic Virgin River flows right by the campground, too.

Additionally, it’s only a short walk to the gateway town of Springdale, which has shops, eateries and even a brewery.

There are five different loops: A and B loops have electric campsites, while the C, D and F loop are tent-only. Loop E is where the group sites are. Other amenities include toilets, drinking water and picnic tables.

Virgin River and the Watchman, Zion National Park

In short, this is arguably the best place to stay in Zion National Park for a few days.

Note, however, that this campground is extremely popular. In the busy season, reservations are absolutely necessary. The off-season, on the other hand, offers first-come first-served camping.

Things to See and Do Near Watchman Campground

6. Gilbert Ray Campground, Saguaro National Park, AZ

Saguaro cactus in Saguaro National Park, Arizona

Although technically not within Saguaro National Park, the Gilbert Ray Campground is the nearest developed campground to the park.

Located about 13 miles west of Tucson, the campground is in the Tucson Mountain Park, which is adjacent to Saguaro National Park’s Tucson Mountain District.

It is a wonderful campground to base yourself for a couple of days of desert exploration. Pitch your tent amid towering saguaros, the largest cactus species in the United States, hike arid hills and see Native American sites.

Camping near Saguaro National Park, Arizona - Saguaro National Park photo essay

Both RV and tent sites are available, while amenities include modern restrooms (though no showers), picnic tables, potable water and an RV dumping station.

  • Location: Tucson Mountain Park, 13 miles west of Tucson
  • Number of sites: 130 RV sites and 5 tent-only sites
  • Drinking water: Yes
  • Showers: No
  • Electric hookups: No full hookups; RV sites have 30 amp.
  • Reservations: Yes
  • Nightly rate: $20 for RVs; $10 for tents
  • More information: https://webcms.pima.gov/cms/one.aspx?portalId=169&pageId=1327

Things to See and Do Near Gilbert Ray Campground

5. Painted Desert, Petrified Forest National Park, AZ

Painted Desert camping in Petrified Forest National Park

One of my favorite camping experiences ever was in the Painted Desert in Petrified Forest National Park. While this is not a national park campground in the strictest sense of the word, it’s still a fantastic place to pitch a tent.

This is free camping, wild camping, or whatever you’d like to call it, at its very best. The Painted Desert makes up the northern part of this Arizona national park, a vast wilderness of badlands, desert plains and arid hills.

The only things you have to do to camp there is getting a free backcountry permit and hiking about a mile down into the Painted Desert Wilderness. You must get a permit in person at either the Painted Desert Visitor Center or Rainbow Forest Museum on the first day you’d like to camp.

Hiker in the Painted Desert, Petrified Forest, Arizona

Once you’re a mile from the trailhead, you’re free to set up camp wherever you want. Remember to adhere to the Leave No Trace principles, though!

Of course, there are no facilities in this desert wilderness. So, you’ll need to pack everything you need, from water and food to camping gear and other supplies.

Things to See and Do Near the Painted Desert

4. Kipahulu Campground, Haleakala National Park, HI

Kipahulu Campground in Haleakala National Park, Maui Hawaii

The Kipahulu Campground is one of two campgrounds in Maui’s Haleakala National Park. Just south of the Kipahulu Visitor Center, about a half hour south of the town of Hana, it is right next to the ocean.

I, for one, really enjoyed falling asleep to the sound of waves lapping gently against the volcanic shore.

This fun and open campground has a limit of 50 people and, similar to the Hosmer Grove Campground in the Summit District of Haleakala National Park, there are no designated sites.

You simply pick an area you prefer and park your vehicle or pitch your tent to claim it. You don’t have to register or pay a fee.

In terms of amenities, there are pit toilets, some shared picnic tables and barbecues, but no drinking water. You can, however, get drinking water at the restrooms of the nearby Kipahulu Visitor Center. Groceries and other supplies are available at two general stores in Hana.

Seven Sacred Pools, Kipahulu hikes, Maui, Hawaii

From the Kipahulu Campground, you can hike to some of Maui’s most iconic natural attractions, particularly the Seven Sacred Pools in ‘Ohe’o Gulch and the Bamboo Forest on the Pipiwai Trail.

Remember that this is the tropical and wettest side of Maui and you should expect rain basically every day. Rain showers are short-lasting, though, and always followed by sunshine. Bring raingear.

  • Location: 1/8 mile south of the Kipahulu Visitor Center, which is 10 miles south of Hana
  • Number of sites: Capacity for 50 people
  • Drinking water: No, water is available at nearby Kipahulu Visitor Center
  • Showers: No
  • Electric hookups: No
  • Reservations: No, first-come first-served
  • Nightly rate: Free
  • More information: https://www.nps.gov/hale/planyourvisit/camping.htm

Things to See and Do Near Kipahulu Campground

3. Colonial Creek Campground, North Cascades National Park, WA

Colonial Creek Campground, North Cascades, Washington State

One of my all-time favorite national park campgrounds is the Colonial Creek Campground in the North Cascades National Park Service complex. This large campground is on the shore of stunning Diablo Lake, which is in the Ross Lake National Recreation Area.

Set in a beautiful old-growth forest, Colonial Creek, although remote, is a pretty busy campground.

Diablo Lake is one of the major highlights on North Cascades Highway 20, making a stay there a super-popular thing to do. Reservations are necessary for the South Loop, while the smaller North Loop is first-come first-served.

When we camped at Colonial Creek, we managed to get one of the walk-in sites on the very shore of Diablo Lake. (Even though they’re called “walk-in”, that walk from your vehicle to your site is no more than just a few dozen steps.)

If you have a kayak or canoe, you can launch it right from your campsite.

Kayaking on Diablo Lake, North Cascades, Washington

Two trails start at this campground—the Thunder Knob Trail and Thunder Creek Trail. Additionally, this glorious campground is also only 15 minutes or less from other attractions like the spectacular Diablo Lake Overlook and Ross Lake Dam.

The Maple Pass Loop, which is one of the best day hikes I’ve ever done in my life, is 35 minutes east on Highway 20.

Things to See and Do Near Colonial Creek Campground

2. Jumbo Rocks Campground, Joshua Tree National Park, CA

Jumbo Rocks Campground morning, Joshua Tree National Park campgrounds

Another one of the most awesome campgrounds in national parks is Jumbo Rocks in Joshua Tree National Park. Located in the heart of the park, this campground is set amid the park’s iconic boulders and Joshua trees.

Sites are spacious and (relatively) secluded, thanks to those boulders and vegetation. While camping there, you’ll be within close proximity to other points of interest, such as Skull Rock and Hidden Valley. Numerous hiking trails meander to this area, while the night sky is to die for.

Note, however, that there are limited facilities at this remote desert campground. There are no hookups or water.

Jumbo Rocks campsite, Joshua Tree National Park - Best National Park Campgrounds

The town of Twentynine Palms, 12 miles north, has stores and gas stations. Bring everything you need for the duration of your camping trip in Joshua Tree National Park.

Things to See and Do Near Jumbo Rocks Campground

1. Gold Bluffs Beach Campground, Redwood National & State Parks, CA

Gold Bluffs Beach Campground dawn, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, California

A remote campground in the dunes of Gold Bluffs Beach, this is our absolute favorite national park campground. It’s located about 6 miles up unpaved Davison Road and offers visitors the chance to camp on the wild Pacific coast and amid Roosevelt elk.

Although technically in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, the area is jointly managed by California State Park and the National Park Service. It’s part of a greater complex of four different Redwood parks.

The secluded sandy beach is literally a minute from the campsites, while redwoods top tall cliffs in the background. From this campground, you can also walk to gorgeous Fern Canyon and access the awesome Miner’s Ridge Trail. The Coastal Trail runs right through the campground as well.

Miner's Ridge Trail hiker, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, California

This is a small campground, though, with only 26 sites. You’ll need to book your site well in advance.

As far as facilities go, there are solar showers and flush toilets, barbecues and fire pits, picnic tables and food lockers—more than enough for a remote camping adventure, perhaps even an elopement, with some basic luxuries.

Note that the first part of Davison Road is very steep and winding. Large RVs and trailers of any kind are prohibited on this road and, as such, at the Gold Bluffs Beach Campground. There are no hookups either.

Things to See and Do Near Gold Bluffs Beach Campground

These Are Our Favorite National Park Campgrounds. Which Are Your Most Memorable Campgrounds in National Parks? Share Your National Parks Experience in the Comments Below!