The Mountains Are Calling: Top 10 Summer Camping Destinations In The Western United States
Discover the beauty of the Mountain West, from the towering peaks of Yellowstone to the depths of the Grand Canyon.
Discover the beauty of the Mountain West, from the towering peaks of Yellowstone to the depths of the Grand Canyon. This carefully curated list of top camping spots and travel tips will help you craft an unforgettable journey through this stunning region.
Mountain States
The Mountain West is often thought to be the most beautiful region in America, with a truly stunning diversity of landscapes, from alpine peaks to red rock deserts and everything in between. The scenery is as dramatic as it gets, the wildlife is abundant, and the experience is second to none. While it’s impossible to list all the noteworthy places this region has to offer, check out our very favorite places to camp and enjoy the great outdoors in the Mountain West.
1. Yellowstone National Park — Montana, Idaho, Wyoming
Spanning parts of Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho, Yellowstone is one of the most intriguing national parks in America. Not only is it one of the best places to view wildlife including bison, wolves, bears, elk and more, it also boasts the world’s most stunning display of geothermal features with over 10,000 hydrothermal sites and half the world's active geysers. And that’s not even to mention the stunning mountain views throughout the park. There are plenty of ways to enjoy the park, from long hikes up to the park’s peaks, meandering boardwalks through thermal regions, to even a simple drive through Lamar Valley, depending on your interests and fitness level.
Where to Stay
Located about an hour and a half from Yellowstone National Park in Rigby, Idaho, Yellowstone Lakeside RV Park and Campground is the ideal basecamp for your Yellowstone adventure. Choose from spacious RV campsites, each offering full hookups and personal fire pits and picnic tables, and settle into a welcoming atmosphere right on the edge of Yellowstone.
2. Rocky Mountain National Park — Colorado
Aptly Named, Rocky Mountain National park in Colorado features the very best of the Colorado Rockies. Spanning over 265,000 acres of rugged terrain, the park is a paradise for hikers, climbers, and nature lovers. Visitors can explore over 300 miles of hiking trails winding through mountain streams up to rugged peaks and high-altitude alpine lakes.
Beyond its natural beauty, the park acts as a sanctuary for a diverse population of wildlife including elk, bighorn sheep, moose, many different bird species, and plenty of other forest critters, making it a prime destination for birding and wildlife photography.
And due to its remote location and high elevation, you can expect clear crisp nights without much light pollution, making Rocky Mountain National Park a phenomenal location for stargazing.
Where to Stay
Less than an hour from the entrance, Falcon’s Landing RV Park is a great spot to set up camp. This campground offers a wide variety of spacious full hookup RV sites and a prime location that positions you to explore not only the national park, but also all of the surrounding Northern Colorado mountain towns and their undeniable charm.
3. Glacier National Park — Montana
Situated in the Rocky Mountain peaks of Northern Montana, Glacier National Park never fails to amaze its visitors. Often referred to as the “Crown of the Continent,” Glacier’s wilderness spans over 1 million acres of diverse landscapes from flower covered meadows and dense forests to crystal clear alpine lakes shaded by towering peaks. And with over 700 miles of trails to explore, it would take a lifetime to see everything Glacier has to offer. Be sure to spend an afternoon driving from the East entrance to the West, or vice versa, via the Going to the Sun Road. The view of the park is absolutely breathtaking.
Glacier National Park is also home to some of our nation's most fascinating wildlife like grizzly bears, bighorn sheep, moose, wolves, coyotes, and even the lynx.
Where to Stay
Just 30 minutes from the park’s entrance, Glacier Peaks RV Park is the perfect RV Resort and campground for exploring Glacier. Choose between full-size RV spaces, a deluxe cabin rental, and sleeper cabins, and enjoy quick and easy access to the surrounding towns of Columbia Falls, Whitefish, and Kalispell.
4. Grand Canyon National Park — Arizona
The Grand Canyon has long been one of the world’s most iconic and recognizable natural wonders. Carved by the Colorado River over millions of years, the canyon stretches 277 miles long, is up to 18 miles wide, and drops more than a mile deep. Grand Canyon National Park is a hub for outdoor recreation, as well as geological and cultural history. Visitors can enjoy breathtaking viewpoints and easy hikes around the rims, more challenging hikes down to the canyon floor, and rafting trips along the Colorado River. There is also a lot to learn within the national park. Guests can explore exhibits detailing the Native American culture surrounding the canyon, as well as educational content about the formation of the canyon itself.
Where to Stay
Located just a short drive from the park, Munds Park RV Resort offers a wide variety of accommodation from basic RV sites surrounded by pine trees with 30/50 amp hookups to deluxe full hookup RV sites with 125 amp connections and direct trail access. It also positions you perfectly to explore not only the Grand Canyon, but many other Arizona gems like Sedona, Monument Valley, Coconino National Forest, and the town of Flagstaff.
5. Southern Utah
We tried to narrow it down to one area of Utah, but if you’ve ever visited this region, you know it’s just downright impossible. The entirety of Southern Utah is about as good as it gets, with stunning red rock desert scenery spanning 5 national parks and limitless opportunities for outdoor recreation. The “Mighty Five” National parks — Zion, Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef — are some of our favorites in the whole country, and they’re just the tip of the iceberg in terms of Southern Utah. From Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument and the San Rafael Swell to Dead Horse Point and Goblin Valley State Parks, there are seemingly endless areas of jaw-dropping desert scenery and rock formations to explore, with each region offering its own unique beauty and charm. With thousand foot tall red-rock walls, countless canyons, and some fascinating wildlife, Southern Utah is guaranteed to impress.
Where to Stay
Escalante Cabins RV Park positions you right in the center of Southern Utah, so if you want to stay at one basecamp for your entire Southern Utah trip, this is the one. Choose between a large selection of RV and tent sites, cozy cabins, and vacation homes, and enjoy a host of onsite amenities and a killer view!
If you prefer to move around or you just want to find a park close to one destination in Southern Utah, check out the rest of our top-tier Utah campgrounds. And be sure to use Spot2Nite’s booking tool to book all of your stays in one easy purchase!
West Coast
As you make your way down the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada and the mountains slowly transition into beautiful coastline, West Coast USA offers its own unique and definitive charm. Between California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska, these are our favorite destinations to set up camp in the coastal states.
6. Yosemite National Park — California
Famous for its towering granite cliffs, ancient giant sequoias, and some of the tallest waterfalls in North America, Yosemite embodies the spirit of American wilderness. Anchored by the Yosemite Valley, featuring towering icons like Half Dome and El Capitan, Yosemite encompasses nearly 760,000 acres of stunning landscape and acts as home to several species of wildlife including deer, black bears, bobcats, and the rare Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep. A haven for hikers and backpackers, and a Mecca for rock climbers, Yosemite is one of the great classical American parks that is an absolute must-see.
Where to Stay
Located just 35 minutes from the park entrance, Yosemite RV Resort offers spacious full hookup RV sites, primitive tent camping spots with or without electricity and water service, and a selection of cottages and cabins.
7. Olympic National Park — Washington
Olympic National Park is one of those few special places that feels straight out of a fairy tale — with lush old-growth forests, dramatic coastlines where the mountains meet the sea, and wildlife roaming free. Covering nearly a million acres, the park stretches from the Pacific coastline to the rugged Olympic Mountains, cloaked in dense, temperate rainforests.
Along the beaches, tide pools are full of marine life and sea stacks rise from the ocean. Inland, the Hoh Rainforest, drenched in up to 14 feet of rain each year, offers an otherworldly experience amongst mosses, ferns, and towering old-growth trees. And way up high, the alpine regions provide breathtaking vistas and the perfect ecosystem for endemic wildlife, including the Roosevelt elk. With over 600 miles of hiking trails to explore, this park is an outdoorsman’s paradise.
Where to Stay
Less than 20 minutes from the Olympic National Park entrance, Elwha RV Park is the perfect Olympic getaway. Choose from back-in and pull-through RV campsites with full hookups, fire rings, picnic tables, and a host of other amenities in a beautiful natural camping area.
8. Crater Lake National Park — Oregon
Crater Lake is renowned for its stark blue color and water clarity. At 1,943 feet deep, it’s the deepest lake in the United States and one of the most pristine on earth. With the lake as the centerpiece, Crater Lake National Park spans over 180,000 acres of ancient forests. Visitors can drive around the entire rim of the crater on the 33-mile rim drive, enjoying views of the lake and the surrounding beauty. And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can hike down to the lake where there are sectioned off swimming areas and even some cliff jumping opportunities at the bottom of the Cleetwood Trail.
Where to Stay
Less than 45 minutes from Crater Lake, Umpqua’s Last Resort is a quaint destination tucked away in the Oregon Cascades along the banks of the Umpqua River. Choose from a large selection of spacious full hookup RV sites and riverside cabins and enjoy the peaceful sounds of the river in a truly breathtaking location.
9. Denali National Park — Alaska
Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska is a vast frontier that epitomizes the wild, untamed spirit of the north. Covering over six million acres, the park seamlessly blends tundra, spruce forest, glaciers, and mountains including Denali — North America's tallest peak at 20,310 feet. This mountain is not only a seriously climbing feat, but also a stunning backdrop visible from almost any vantage point within the park.
Visitors to Denali National Park can explore a single, dramatic road that cuts through the heart of the park, offering encounters with the park’s wildlife, which includes grizzly bears, caribou, moose, wolves, and Dall sheep. The park’s unfathomable size and relative inaccessibility preserve its pristine nature, making it a perfect place for those seeking true backcountry adventure.
Where to Stay
If you’re looking for the perfect Denali basecamp, you’ve found it. Denali Rainbow Village RV Park is just 1 mile from the park entrance and accommodates many different camping styles, offering back-in or pull-thru RV campsites, each featuring a picnic table, fire ring, and complimentary cable TV, as well as motel rooms and charming homestead homes for a glamping-style stay.
10. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park — California
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, located on the scenic Big Sur coast of California, is an absolutely stunning natural area, and is one of the most accessible stretches of coastline along the Big Sur corridor. Famous for its breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and the iconic McWay Falls, an 80-foot waterfall that plunges directly into the ocean, the park offers a snapshot of rugged coastal beauty. Named after a beloved local pioneer, this small yet spectacular state park combines dramatic seaside cliffs, lush forested areas, and healthy marine life.
Where to Stay
Just under an hour North Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, Carmel by the River RV Park positions you perfectly to make the first bit of the world famous Big Sur drive, renowned as one of the most beautiful drives on Planet Earth.
Spot2Nite
Ready to start planning your camping trip out west? Take advantage of Spot2Nite’s easy-to-use booking platform to find the best camping option for you. Browse RV parks, campgrounds, cabins, and more all over North America and customize your search with tailored filters to find your ideal stay near your destination. And if you’re planning a longer road trip, just add each stay to your cart and check out in one simple and easy transaction.
