The Ultimate Camping Experiences Bucket List
It’s time to build your ultimate camping experiences bucket list. From de-cluttering to minimalism, people are catching on to the idea of foregoing stuff in order to make room for experiences that will create memories and allow for fun adventures. And camping is the perfect way to see the best sights and have fun with friends and family without breaking the bank.
To help you put together your bucket list, we’ve rounded up a list of unique and interesting camping experiences where you can see some amazing sights and enjoy quality time with the ones you love in the great outdoors—that’s a trend that will never go out of style.
Add these camping experiences to your bucket list.
1. Explore the country in an RV
Where to stay: Anywhere in the country
No matter where you roam, an RV road trip is the perfect way to explore America. RV camping allows you to experience the joys of camping while enjoying the comforts of home. Book now.
2. Stay the night in a Mongolian style yurt
Where to stay: Idaho City Yurts, Idaho
Yurts are a fun alternative to tent and RV camping that offer a great balance between rugged and comfortable. Watch the snow fall in the winter or the stars blaze in the summer in one of six backcountry yurts across Idaho’s picturesque landscape. Book now.
3. Pitch your tent where the mountains meet the plains
Where to stay: Sugarite Canyon State Park, New Mexico
Located right at the base of the Rocky Mountains where they meet the plains, Sugarite Canyon is located on the Colorado and New Mexico state line and attracts hikers, fishers and boaters. Book now.
4. Camp 15 minutes away from America’s most famous waterfall
Where to stay: Four Mile Creek State Park, New York
Located just fifteen minutes north of Niagara Falls on the shores of Lake Ontario, Four Mile Creek State Park gives campers central access to all of the fun and activities of the city and the natural beauty of the falls. Plus, a seasonal farmers market! Book now.
5. Ride over 600 miles on the Arapeen OHV Trail
Where to stay: Palisades State Park, Utah
Off-road this year throughout much of Central Utah. The Arapeen Trail is enormous with over 600 miles of OHV trails and many miles of 66" trails for larger side-by-side machines. Palisade State Park makes the perfect basecamp for any ride. Book now.
6. Spend the night beneath 200-year-old Myrtlewood trees and hike to redwoods during the day
Where to stay: Alfred A. Loeb State Park, Oregon
The park is nestled in a dense grove of Myrtlewood trees, many of which are more than 200 years old, which give off a crisp, eucalyptus-like fragrance. While the northern-most redwood grove in the U.S. can be found at the end of the 0.75-mile Riverview Trail. Book now.
7. Experience coastal camping
Where to stay: Horseneck Beach State Reservation, Massachusetts
Situated just behind the sand dunes, the 100-site campground at Horseneck Beach State Reservation is a camping destination like no other. The cobblestone beach provides breathtaking views of Buzzards Bay, access to swimming and surfcasting and two miles of beach to explore. Book now.
8. Camp at the highest peak in the east
Where to stay: Mount Mitchell State Park, North Carolina
Rising 6,683 feet in the air, Mount Mitchell is the highest peak east of the Rocky Mountains. The state park that surrounds it is filled with great hiking trails, a primitive campground with great views and even a restaurant where you can eat at the peak. Book now.
9. Encounter the seas gentle giants, manatees
Where to stay: Manatee Springs State Park, Florida
Manatee Springs State Park proves boardwalks aren’t only for the beach. The park's 800-foot boardwalk runs through a majestic cypress forest overlooking one of Florida’s breathtaking first-magnitude springs. During the cooler months, manatees can be seen from the boardwalk. Book now.
10. Beat the Texas heat
Where to stay: Inks Lake State Park, Texas
Inks Lake is the perfect park for a day trip or a weekend getaway. With its sparkling blue water, colorful rock outcrops, and striking sunsets, this gem of the Hill Country is just an hour northwest of Austin. Plus, you can swim in the eerily named Devil’s Waterhole. Book now.
11. Uncover a magical fairy stone
Where to stay: Fairy Stone State Park, Virginia
Just minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway and home of the legendary fairy stones, this park is well known for its 168-acre lake adjoining Philpott Reservoir. Hand-dig for your chance to uncover a magical stone or pick one up in the gift shop on your way out. Book now.
12. Get the camera ready for a triple-cascade waterfall
Where to stay: Rifle Falls State Park, Colorado
Lush trees and rich greenery add to the dramatic scene of the triple-cascade waterfall that marks Rifle Falls as a fantastic place to get in touch with nature. For added intrigue, the three 70-foot waterfalls are surrounded by mysterious limestone caves at the water’s base. Book now.
13. Learn about the nation’s Civil War battles
Where to stay: Caledonia State Park or Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Pennsylvania
Take a step back in time and learn about the battles of the Civil War. Today, Gettysburg is home to the Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center, which displays Civil War artifacts, and the Gettysburg National Cemetery, where Abraham Lincoln gave his 1863 Gettysburg Address. Book now at Caledonia State Park or Pine Grove Furnace State Park.
14. Stay in a wildlife watcher’s paradise
Where to stay: Shuyak Island State Park, Alaska
Spotting a massive Kodiak bear in the wild will take your breath away. The Kodiak bear lives only on the Kodiak Islands in Alaska, and one of the best places to view them is at Shuyak Island State Park. In addition to the Kodiak bear, it's also home to many stunning marine animals such as otters, whales, harbor seals, sea lions and Dall’s porpoises. Book now.
15. Explore Louisiana’s river swamps on an open-air boat
Where to stay: Grand Isle State Park, Louisiana
The 108-square-mile Honey Island Swamp is breathtaking and wild. Visitors experience a diverse array of flora and fauna including alligators, deer, turtles and cypress trees. See the swamp on an open-air boat tour and prepare to be amazed. Book now.
16. Rainbows at night...Moonbows!
Where to stay: Cumberland Falls Resort State Park, Kentucky
The moonbow, also called a white rainbow or lunar rainbow, is formed just like a rainbow and appears for the two or so days, on either end of the full moon. Cumberland Falls is one of the few places in the world that regularly produces a moonbow. Book now.
17. Take the kids on a family-friendly cave tour
Where to stay: Cloudland Canyon State Park, Georgia
On the western edge of Lookout Mountain, Cloudland Canyon State Park straddles a deep gorge cut by Sitton Gulch Creek. Guided tours provide an under-worldly adventure with muddy opportunities to crawl, stoop and climb in a wild cave. Book now. Book now.
18. Camping and a tailgate
Where to stay: John W. Kyle State Park, Mississippi
Located on scenic Sardis Reservoir, the park offers a wide array of recreational opportunities in an area abundant in natural beauty. The historic campus of the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) is just 25 miles away, making it the perfect spot to spend a football weekend and check out “The Grove”. Book now.