The Best National Park Campsites for an Unforgettable Trip

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empty peaceful National forest park picnic grounds

It’s no secret that national parks are full of great places to camp, but there are a select few campsites within these parks that take scenic beauty to the next, next level—you just have to know where to find them.

Whether you’re looking for a primitive campsite that offers rare wildlife observation or a luxe campground with all the amenities and a great view, you’re sure to find your new favorite camping destination at one of the following campsites. 

 

Slough Creek Campground
Yellowstone National Park

Sough Creek Campground in Yellowstone National Park

The Slough Creek Campground in Wyoming is a popular fishing destination and the most primitive of campgrounds in Yellowstone National Park. And while you won’t find much in the way of amenities at this 16-site campground, you’ll be staying in the very best place to observe wildlife in the park. During the day, you can spend time looking for wildlife and embarking on any number of the area’s surrounding hiking trails, and at night, you can enjoy an unobstructed view of the starry night sky.

 

Moskey Basin Campground
Isle Royale National Park

Monkey Basin Campground in Isle Royale National Park

If you’ve ever dreamed of camping on your own private island, then you’ll definitely want to add Moskey Basin to your bucket list. One of 36 campgrounds at the beautiful Isle Royale National Park in Michigan, Moskey Basin is about a 10-mile hike from Rock Harbour, but the spectacular shoreline views of Lake Superior it offers make it well worth the hike. The campgrounds also offer water sources and outhouses, so you’ll have your basic needs covered. 

Kintla Lake Campground
Glacier National Park

Kintla Lake Campground in Glacier National Park

The Kintla Lake Campground is the most remote developed campground in Glacier National Park, Montana. The campground sits at the very edge of the gorgeous lake, which is the fourth-largest lake in the park. Campers are treated to stunning views of the surrounding glacier-carved mountains, which they can take a closer look at by hopping on a canoe or kayak. The amenities are sparse, but you’ll be having so much fun hiking, kayaking, and exploring that you won’t even notice.

 

Kalaloch Campground
Olympic National ParkKalaloch Campground in Olympic National Park

With its wildly diverse ecosystems, Olympic National Park in Washington offers a ton of beautiful campsites, but few rival the beauty of the Kalaloch Campground. Perched atop a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the campsite offers unparalleled sunset views that will make you feel like you’re sitting on top of the world. The site also features flush toilets, fire pits, and potable water, so it’s a stellar destination for new and seasoned campers alike. 

Azalea Campground
Kings Canyon National Park

Azalea Campground in Kings Canyon National Park

Located about 3.5 miles from the entrance to the park, the Azalea Campground in Kings Canyon National Park is surrounded by the enormous sequoias and evergreens that this California park is so well known for. The 110 campsites feature flushing toilets and potable water, and the sites are sheltered by various hills and boulders that give campers a sense of cozy privacy. The site is also just a stone’s throw away from the General Grant sequoia grove, which houses the largest tree in this park of ancient giants.

 

Duck Harbor Campground
Acadia National Park

Duck Harbor Campground in Acadia National Park

Just five campers per night are lucky enough to stay at this remote campground in Acadia National Park. Situated on a six-by-two-mile island off the coast of Stonington, Maine, the campground is an ideal destination for those seeking a camping experience with a heavy side of solitude. The primitive site features five lean-to shelters, a fire ring, and a composting toilet, and it’s only accessible by boat, but it offers the sort of unique experience that you’ll be talking about for years to come. 

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