Summer is the perfect season for camping, offering warm weather, long days, and vibrant natural surroundings. It’s a time when outdoor activities like hiking, swimming, and stargazing are most enjoyable. Selecting the right campsite is crucial for a successful summer camping trip. Opt for a location with ample shade to stay cool during the hottest parts of the day. Being near water sources like lakes, rivers, or the ocean can enhance your experience with opportunities for swimming and fishing.
Having the right gear is essential for comfort and safety. A well-ventilated tent helps keep the interior cool and prevents condensation. A good sleeping bag suited for warmer temperatures ensures a comfortable night’s sleep. A reliable camping stove and cookware make meal preparation easier, while a cooler keeps your food and drinks fresh. Dressing appropriately for summer camping is key to staying comfortable. Lightweight, breathable clothing helps regulate your body temperature. Wearing moisture-wicking fabrics can keep you dry during hikes. Sturdy, comfortable footwear is important for exploring the trails, and a hat and sunglasses protect you from the sun.
The picturesque Atlantic coastline is the main attraction at Acadia National Park. The numerous coves and rocky inlets offer endless opportunities for capturing stunning photographs. Acadia, like most well-established national parks, boasts several campgrounds, including Smuggler’s Den, Backwoods, Bass Harbor, and Seawall. These sites cater to both tent campers and RV enthusiasts. Smuggler’s Den, for instance, offers ample shaded areas for camper and RV parking, as well as a spacious open field for tents, ensuring sufficient room for proper physical distancing. For those seeking a more hotel-like experience, semi-permanent accommodations are available for rent.
In addition to camping, Acadia National Park is renowned for its diverse recreational activities. Hiking trails of varying difficulty levels wind through the park, offering breathtaking views of the rugged coastline and lush forests. The park is also a haven for birdwatchers, with many species inhabiting its diverse ecosystems. Visitors can enjoy kayaking along the serene waters of the inlets or take scenic drives to explore the park’s beauty.
For those seeking a more rugged adventure, White Mountain National Forest is an excellent choice. Although it is federal land, it lacks the extensive infrastructure of a full-fledged national park, making it a perfect destination to challenge your outdoor skills.
This forest is home to diverse wildlife, including bald eagles, coyotes, Canadian lynxes, river otters, and porcupines. Hikers frequently explore its many peaks, some exceeding 4,000 feet, and a significant portion of the Appalachian Trail runs through White Mountain National Forest. The area is surrounded by various state forests and parks, forming a vast, continuous nature preserve across much of upstate New Hampshire.
Depending on your camping experience, you can opt for a backwoods adventure or choose one of the designated camping locations. With numerous options available, finding a suitable spot to set up for the night won’t be a problem. In addition to hiking and wildlife observation, the forest offers other activities such as fishing in its pristine rivers and streams, rock climbing on its rugged cliffs, and scenic drives through its picturesque landscapes.
Located on Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula, Olympic National Park is a rare destination where visitors can easily traverse multiple distinct ecosystems. These include rugged coastal areas, alpine forests, and temperate rainforests. The park’s ecological diversity makes it feel like several vacations in one. As you move through the park, you can experience the sensation of traveling to entirely different locations.
The rugged coastline offers dramatic sea stacks, tide pools, and sandy beaches, perfect for exploring marine life and enjoying coastal views. The alpine forests, with their towering trees and pristine mountain lakes, provide excellent opportunities for hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing. Meanwhile, the temperate rainforests, some of the wettest places in the continental United States, are lush with moss-covered trees, ferns, and an abundance of plant and animal life.
Olympic National Park’s unique blend of ecosystems supports a wide range of recreational activities.
Nestled in Northern Montana along the Canadian border, Glacier National Park is an ideal destination for those seeking solitude. The park offers a variety of established campgrounds as well as numerous backcountry options for the more adventurous. Glacier National Park is renowned for its breathtaking alpine landscapes and pristine mountain waters, epitomizing the essence of Big Sky Country.
The park’s dramatic scenery includes towering peaks, expansive meadows, and crystal-clear lakes, providing a stunning backdrop for a range of outdoor activities. Hiking is a popular pursuit, with trails that wind through diverse terrains, from dense forests to high-altitude vistas. Wildlife enthusiasts can encounter a variety of species, including grizzly bears, mountain goats, and bighorn sheep, thriving in their natural habitats.
In addition to its scenic beauty, Glacier National Park is home to historic lodges and visitor centers that offer insights into the park’s natural and cultural history. The Going-to-the-Sun Road, a marvel of engineering, provides a scenic drive through the heart of the park, offering numerous viewpoints and opportunities for photography.
Often overshadowed by its northern neighbor Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Park is one of the finest national parks in the United States. This park is a hiker’s paradise, boasting a series of stunning mountains centered around the majestic Grand Teton.
Grand Teton National Park offers six major campgrounds, each providing a unique experience. The campgrounds cater to a range of preferences, from those seeking a more rustic experience to those looking for more developed sites with amenities. Each campground is strategically located to offer easy access to the park’s numerous trails and scenic viewpoints.
The park’s rugged terrain features dramatic peaks, pristine alpine lakes, and lush meadows, creating an idyllic setting for outdoor enthusiasts. Popular activities include hiking, rock climbing, and wildlife watching, with opportunities to spot elk, moose, and a variety of bird species.
