August 31, 2019 - Many of America’s public lands offer far more sights to see and things to do than you could ever fit into just one day. Luckily, many parks, refuges and recreation areas offer great options for camping, so you can stay long enough to see and do it all. Whether you prefer staying at a developed campground, in the backcountry or in the comfort of your RV, you’re going to love that serene feeling of sleeping under the stars.

Joshua Tree National Park, California

Photo by Robb Hannawacker, National Park Service

Types of Camping Available: Backcountry, drive-up, trailer/RV

With ample opportunities for biking, hiking, rock climbing and more, Joshua Tree National Park draws outdoor adventure-seekers from around the world to its intense desert landscape. Many popular activities at Joshua Tree are likely to wear you out — so why not end the day by relaxing under the stars? With over 500 campsites and a vast backcountry, there are plenty of spaces for you to set up camp. Be advised, however, that campgrounds usually fill from October through May, so it may be wise to make a reservation if you plan on visiting then. Many of the campsites have fire rings, so don’t forget to bring marshmallows! 

Haleakalā National Park, Hawaii

Photo by Cody Roberts, National Park Service

Types of Camping Available: Backcountry and drive-up

Defined by its striking volcanic features, Haleakalā National Park’s pristine natural beauty runs from the shores of the Pacific all the way to the volcano’s summit. The park offers great hikes among forests, waterfalls and volcanic rock, as well as Hawaiian cultural demonstrations and rotating educational exhibits. Campgrounds are interspersed throughout the park, giving visitors the option to choose the landscape in which they will rest. Want to fall asleep to the gentle sound of ocean waves? Camp in the Kīpahulu District near the coast! Or, if you prefer the crisp mountain air, camp among the clouds in the Summit Area. Haleakalā, which means “house of the sun,” is especially known for its gorgeous sunrises and sunsets that are visible from the park’s Summit Area. Camping there allows for visitors to see these spectacular sights each day — without making the early morning drive to the park. 

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee/North Carolina

Photo by Joye Ardyn Durham, National Park Service

Types of Camping Available: Backcountry, drive-up, trailer/RV

Each year, millions of Americans are drawn to the tremendous mountains, enchanting waterfalls and lush forests of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. With hundreds of miles of scenic drives, even more miles of fish-bearing streams, and even more miles of backcountry trails, it’s no surprise that Great Smoky Mountains National Park has been America’s most visited national park for several years running. With so many annual visitors, Great Smoky Mountains has plenty of space set aside for camping — 1,000 developed sites and more than 100 backcountry sites. The park even has four campgrounds with hitch racks for horses, so visitors travelling the trails on horseback have a place to rest as well. Though camping is available year-round, perhaps the best time to visit the park is in the autumn when the leaves are changing. You don’t want to miss these spectacular views.

Oregon Badlands Wilderness Area, Oregon

Photo by Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Management

Types of Camping Available: Backcountry, limited drive-up and trailer

If you’re looking to find solitude in the backcountry, look no further than the Oregon Badlands Wilderness Area. The Oregon Badlands were formed thousands of years ago from volcanic activity, making for a wilderness teeming with remarkable geological features. Among the jagged rocks and western junipers that define this high desert landscape roam antelope, marmots and elk, while prairie falcons and golden eagles fly overhead. Because this is a wilderness area, camping in the Oregon Badlands is primitive, even at the nearby Reynolds Pond Recreation Site. If it’s solitude that you seek, make sure you do so safely and come prepared with the proper supplies, including navigation equipment. 

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska

Photo by Alexis Bonogofsky, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Types of Camping Available: Backcountry
 
For the rugged and adventurous, this refuge offers a true wilderness camping experience like no other. All Arctic National Wildlife Refuge lands are open to the public at all times, giving ample opportunity for visitors to see moose, caribou, polar bears and many other creatures. There are no campgrounds, roads, established trails or facilities at the refuge, so campers must be completely self-reliant and Leave No Trace. Most campers access the refuge by air taxi or personal airplane and stay for 6-10 days while they hike, float rivers, photograph wildlife, hunt or fish. If you are visiting in the summer, prepare for mosquitoes — you will want netting. Additionally, to ensure your safety and to protect wildlife, practice safe behavior around bears, especially when it comes to storing your food. Finally, with 24 hours of daylight at the peak of summer, it’s not a bad idea to be prepared with a sleeping mask, too.

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia/Florida

Photo by Dee Whitaker (www.sharetheexperience.org)

Types of Camping Available: Canoe/kayak, drive-up, trailer/RV

One of the largest intact freshwater wetlands in the world and the largest wildlife refuge in the eastern United States, Okefenokee offers over 400,000 acres of pristine habitat for migratory birds and other creatures. With a camping permit, visitors can take multi-day paddling trips through the wetlands where dozens of species of fish, amphibians and reptiles live, including the American alligator. It is exciting to see these creatures in their natural habitats, but remember to keep a safe distance — these animals are wild. While paddling is a great way to experience Okefenokee, there are also camping options that do not require a canoe or kayak to access them, located within the refuge at Stephen C. Foster State Park. Besides paddling, there are plenty of other activities at Okefenokee for the whole family. The refuge has some of the darkest skies in the southeast, so be sure to check out the stars before you go to sleep!

Isle Royale National Park, Michigan

Photo by Adam Jewell (www.sharetheexperience.org)

Types of Camping Available: Backcountry, boat accessible, canoe/kayak 

Accessible only by ferry, seaplane or private seacraft, Isle Royale offers unique wilderness camping experiences that are sure to be memorable. 36 campgrounds with water sources and outhouses are spread across the island, some with docks for motorized boats and sailboats, and others that are easily accessible by canoe or kayak. For those seeking a more challenging adventure, camping is also available in parts of the island’s expansive backcountry. Though Isle Royale is an especially popular destination for backpackers, it offers much more than scenic trails. The park also has great opportunities for fishing, canoeing and even scuba diving, where you can see the submerged remains of shipwrecks. 

Río Grande del Norte National Monument, New Mexico

Photo by Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Management

Types of Camping Available: Drive-up, trailer/RV

Volcanic cones, an 800 foot gorge, a 10,093 foot peak and two wild and scenic rivers make the high desert landscape of Río Grande del Norte some of the most scenic land in all of New Mexico. There are a handful of options for camping at the monument as it has two recreation areas, Orilla Verde and Wild Rivers, both of which have developed campgrounds and facilities. Camping at Río Grande del Norte will give you enough time to experience at least a few of the many activities the monument has to offer such as rafting, hiking, fishing and mountain biking. Can’t decide what to do first? BLM staff at the visitor center can make your decision easier by offering information on trail conditions, river conditions, fishing spots and much more. The visitor center also has firewood available for purchase, so you can grill up your favorite camp foods over a portable campstove or one of the grills provided at your campsite. 

For more information about camping on these public lands and others, browse the website of the particular area you are interested in visiting. To ensure that your camping experience is fun and memorable, it is important that you do your research before heading outside. Weather, wildlife and other factors can be dangerous, and the best way to be safe is to be prepared with the proper equipment and information for your trip. Happy trails!
Source: DOI