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10 Fantastic Campgrounds from the Grand Canyon to the Gulf Coast
Difficult Campground - Aspen, CO
This beautiful campground with the funny name is just up the hill from the town of Aspen. The campground is a bit more rustic than others (no showers), but is surrounded by aspen trees, granite peaks and wildlife like bears and deer. A tent site costs around $24.
Jenny Lake Campground - Grand Teton National Park, WY
Many people come to Grand Teton National Park because of what it isnt: a place that doesn't attract large summer crowds. This sister park to the oldest national park in the U.S. still offers some amazing views and access to hiking trails and wildlife. The Jenny Lake Campground is woodsy and private, but still has access to Jenny Lake and the fantastic Teton Range.
Gulf Camp - Destin, FL
Want to camp right on the beach? Camp Gulf in Destin, Florida allows campers to set up a tent or trailer right on the sugar white sands of the Gulf Coast. The campground offers several RV sites right on the water, along with access to solar-heated swimming pools, family water slides, laundry facilities and WiFi. A space right on the water will cost about $70-$100 a night.
North Rim Campground - Grand Canyon, AZ
The lesser visited part of the Grand Canyon, the North Rim, has a campground that practically teeters on the edge of canyon. This wide open campground has large spaces for tents and RVs, and it's a nice, 30-minute walk along the rim of the canyon to the lodge. The North Rim Campground has a large general store and hot showers. A camp spot will cost about $18 per night.
Sunset Bay State Park - Coos Bay, OR
Visitors to the Oregon Coast may head up to Cannon Beach or Newport, but the small town of Coos Bay has a hidden campground that is one of the best on this rugged coastline. Sunset Bay State Park's campground is large, has private sites, wonderful hot showers and access to the beautiful Sunset Bay and Shore Acres gardens. Many trees and bushes make for a wonderful wind break, too. The beaches are great for clamming and the campground and local trails are perfect for biking. A camp spot will cost about $25 for a full hookup spot.
Watchman Campground - Zion National Park, UT
The Watchman Campground in Zion National Park might just be one of the best in-park campgrounds in the U.S. The stunning Watchman Mountain looks over this large campsite, which is located right next to the Virgin River. The park's numerous trails and stunning sites are just a quick walk, or a free shuttle ride, away. A tent or trailer spot will cost about $18 a night and a site by the river will cost about $20 a night.
Angel Island State Park - San Francisco, CA
Want to go camping in the middle of one of the largest cities in the U.S.? Angel Island in San Francisco Bay has a campground with some very coveted spots, and they can only be accessed by a ferry, kayak or boat ride from the city and a 2.5 mile hike. The 11 environmental campsites have food lockers, running water, pit toilets and barbecues for about $30 a night.
McKinney Falls State Park - Austin, TX
This campground is just 13 miles outside of Austin, Texas and close to everything, but feels like it's in the middle of the countryside. Known for its clean bathrooms and showers, hiking trails, waterfalls and swimming holes, this campground only charges about $15 for its tent camp sites.
First Landing State Park - Virginia Beach, VA
This state park is an oasis in the tourist area of Virginia Beach, Virginia. First Landing State Park has over 2,800 acres of Chesapeake Bay beachfront, forest and bike trails, and has amenities like boat launches, camping cabins and environmental programs for children. A typical RV site will cost about $30.
D.L. Bliss State Park - Lake Tahoe, CA
On the West Shore of Lake Tahoe, one of the best places to go camping is at D.L. Bliss State Park. It's not easy to get a spot here, but there's a reason: the campground is just steps away from one of the best beaches on the lake where you can swim in the cool, blue waters of the beautiful, alpine lake. Camp spots are about $35 for a night and the park is perfect for families.
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About Christina Nellemann
Christina has lived in the Reno/Lake Tahoe area since she was a baby. A first-generation Nevadan, her Danish parents instilled in her an intense love of travel and the wild, rugged outdoors of the Western U.S. She spends her time hiking, camping, biking and kayaking in the mountains around her home, and snorkeling and boating in Lake Tahoe. Christina loves to visit the neighboring states of California, Oregon, Utah and Arizona but has traveled around the world including to Japan, Fiji, Turkey and Ecuador. When she's not traveling or living outdoors, Christina is a graphic and web designer, writer and blogger.
Read more about Christina Nellemann here.
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