Most scenic campgrounds in the US for 2022
Best for aspen groves and subalpine forests
Located outside of Aspen, Colorado, Silver Bell Campground is among the country’s finest for scenery and accessibility.
With just 14 sites, the campground remains relatively quiet year-round, but it still manages to provide guests with once-in-a-lifetime views of aspen groves, Maroon Creek and the ever-spectacular Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness.
Best for volcanic crater hikes
If you’ve ever done the famous Haleakalā sunrise tour, then you know what’s in store for backpackers willing to go a little bit further to catch those stunning views.
If not, Mark Twain may have summed up the sight of a rosy tropical dawn rising over this stunning volcanic crater best when he said it was “the sublimest spectacle I ever witnessed.”
Best for wild horses
Photo: Candy Delaney / Getty Images
One of the world’s most unique camping environments, Assateague Island in Maryland is a designated National Seashore, meaning that this little slice of east coast heaven is as pristine as it gets for scenic camping.
The position and relatively scarce tree cover on the island provide epic views across miles of ocean, and the walk-up or drive-up beachfront sites ensure that your view is never a matter of competition.
Best for ocean serenity
Photo: Brad Mitchell / Getty Images
Between soaring bald eagles, resident orca pods and miles of virtually untouched shoreline, camping on the San Juan Islands is a wilderness lover’s dream
Best for relaxing beach time
Photo: Bender / EyeEm / Getty Images
Among the most underrated camping spots in the country, the iconic yet rarely visited Caladesi Island State Park is a bonafide wonderland for campers seeking the perfect combination of epic views, relaxing beach time and winding hiking trails.
Located on Florida's west coast, Caladesi Island is a boat-only destination, making it an easy choice for folks hoping to escape the majority of the coastal crowds.
Best for waterfalls
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While busier than some of the other campgrounds on this list, Tuolumne Meadows manages to capture the best of Yosemite National Park's soaring granite walls and cascading waterfalls without the pressing crowds of Yosemite Valley.
Enjoy trails that transport you to epic views, or visit Tenaya Lake for the perfect summer picnic and the chance to swim, canoe or relax on the beach.
Best for mountain peaks
Photo: Logan Mock-Bunting / Getty
When it comes to Mount Pisgah, it’s not just the campground that inspires awe in its visitors, but the road to get there too.
Dubbed "America’s favorite drive," the Blue Ridge Parkway escorts visitors through some of the Southeast USA’s finest terrain – sky-high blue spruce, lofty mountain peaks and bright wildflowers – before reaching Mount Pisgah Campground.
Best for mesmerizing rocks
Photo: Michele Falzone / Getty Images
The North Rim Campground allows visitors to sleep on the plateau of land separating Roaring Springs Canyon and Transept Canyon, bordered by the famous North Rim Transept Trail.
Travelers lucky enough to snag a spot at this coveted campground will be treated to unearthly sunrises as light streams into the canyon in the early mornings, as well as world-class stargazing.