When the weather is good, and the sun is out, it’s time to start thinking about taking the family out into the American wilderness. For those of you who really want to explore the outdoors, here are some of the best campsites around, spread across the country.

Yosemite National Park Campground, California

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Yosemite Park is a national icon, famed for its sweeping beauty, and incredible vistas. The National Park Service maintains 13 campgrounds in and around the park. Tent camping, RV spaces and ‘wilderness’ tents are available for people who would like to enjoy the stark nature. The hiking in Yosemite, located in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains, is simply spectacular. Amazing cliffs (Half Dome and El Capitan), waterfalls (Yosemite and Ribbon Falls) and wild animals abound.

Grand Canyon National Park Campground, Arizona

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The Grand Canyon needs no introduction, unless you happen to be from another planet. This massive cut in the earth, located in Arizona, is one of the longest canyons in the world (China has the longest and deepest canyon). There are campsites located at both the South Rim and the North Rim of the canyon, only minutes away from the natural wonder itself. It’s the perfect place to park your recreational vehicle, pitch your tent for a long weekend or a family outing that involves a lot of trail hiking.

Prairie Creek Redwoods Campground State Park, California

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If you love giant redwood trees and nature walks, then you’ll be absolutely enchanted by this Californian park and campground. Prairie Creek is a World Heritage Site that boasts 14,000 acres of old growth redwoods. There are several well-maintained sites located in and near the park, which will allow you plenty of time to check out some of the more than 75 miles of beach and forest trails, observe the wildlife, and simply revel in this ancient forest, and some of the biggest trees ever to exist.

Mount Rainier National Park Campground, Washington

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For those of you who have been to Seattle, or are from there, you’ve probably noticed the massive 14,411-foot volcano looming over the city. Why not head up to Mount Rainier National Park Campground for a closer look? Don’t worry; Rainier is dormant (for now). Cougar Rock, Ipsut Creek, Mowich Lake and White River are just some of the camping sites sprinkled around the volcano. Some spots allows cars and RVs, while others are walk-in only, meaning you can only bring your tent. No matter which campground you choose, you can be sure plenty of verdant forests, subalpine meadows and spectacular hiking trails await you and your family.

Glacier National Park Campground, Montana

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The Rocky Mountains in Montana are truly wild, and there’s really no better place to get back to nature than Glacier National Park. With more than 1,000 camping spots at your disposal spread throughout the park, you’ll be able to take full advantage of this pristine setting. Some of the sites have all of the facilities you could possibly need, while others are a bit more primitive. It’s up to you just how ‘back to nature’ you want to go. If you plan on doing a lot of backcountry hiking, you might appreciate a shower at the end of the day. Or maybe you plan on doing your best Bear Grylls impression, and roughing it all the way.

Carolina Hemlocks Campground, North Carolina

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Hemlock forests, beautiful mountains, bird watching, fishing, swimming and more await you at Carolina Hemlocks Campground. This is the perfect spot for a kicked back summer holiday, with long walks and swims during the day, and campfires and ghost stories at night. If you like tubing down meandering rivers, or else strolling down river trails, then Toe River should make you happy. Bass and trout swim in these waters, so if you’re any good with a rod and a reel, you just might be able to catch your dinner.

Hocking Hills State Park Campground, Ohio

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All kinds of camping are on offer at Hocking Hills State Park Campground. You’ve got sites with electricity and heated showers, plus sites with more rustic lodgings inside the park, as well as a few tent only areas. This nature preserve is full of caves, cliffs, lakes and waterfalls, and is covered with stunning rock formations. If you want to explore some truly spectacular nature, you should definitely plan on a camping trip here.

Blackwoods Campground, Maine

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You’ll find Blackwoods Campground in Acadia National Park, Maine. The camping sites available here are really meant for tent campers, not RVs, but that doesn’t matter, because you’ll probably be out trekking along the gorgeous coastline. There are plenty of bike and horse trails, as well as scenic drives that offer amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean. If you and your family are up to it, you can even hike around Cadillac Mountain, the tallest mountain on the US Atlantic coast.

Point Reyes Campground

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And now we move from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. Point Reyes is a national park, north of San Francisco, famous for its harsh weather and austere beauty. Among the activates you can take part in here are meadow walks, coastal walks, bird watching, whale watching (in the right season), mountain biking, hiking and horse riding. If you are part of a family that digs adventure, you’ll love Point Reyes. The campgrounds are not for those who like to be pampered, though. Point Reyes National Seashore only offers backcountry camping, or boat-in camping. You might have to rough it, but it will be worth it.

Balmorhea State Park, Texas

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Does camping in the desert seem romantic to you? If so, you’ll probably be very happy with Balmorhea State Park, Texas. One of the strangest things about this family friendly park (you’ll see lots of kids here) is that you can go scuba diving in the desert. Yep, you heard us right. Balmorhea Park has one of the largest spring-fed swimming pools in existence. You can swim, dive and snorkel here, look at the fish, and know that you’re in good company. Native Americans used this site for thousands of years. You’ll be camping in a historical location, a watery oasis in a striking, and very dry desert.

 

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