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Camping Across the US

from: Kyle Besser

There are many camping sites across the country. Both public and private campsites cater to the different needs of campers. National, provincial, and state parks and national monuments are some of the 310,000 public campgrounds in the US. Public campgrounds are very popular and are usually full during the summer months.

There are over 800,000 private campsites in the US. Private campsites typically have more facilities for campers compared to public campsites and most are more expensive to use.

To give you some idea of what is available to choose from, here are some recommended campgrounds located in different states in the United States:

Beaver Pond Campground, New York

This campground is found in Harriman State Park, 90 minutes north of New York City in Rockland and Orange counties. Beaver Pond Campground provides campers with 31 lakes and reservoirs, 2 public camping areas, a network of group camps, 200 miles of hiking trails, 3 beaches, miles of scenic roads and streams and an array of wildlife to observe.

On each camping site, a picnic table and a fire ring can be found. Showers, restrooms and laundry facilities are also available for campers. A protected swimming beach is available when lifeguards are on duty.

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, Texas

This is a unique natural area, covering 1,644 acres, transferred to the state by the Texas Nature Conservancy in 1984. There are only tent sites, showers and a Texas State Park Store available to campers. Activities include hiking, stargazing, studying wildlife, and the unusual geology. Four distinct plant ecosystems exist at the park that support reptiles, small mammals, white-tailed deer and numerous birds. A bird list is available.

The main attraction is Enchanted Rock, a huge pink granite boulder that rises 425 feet and covers 640 acres. Geologists call it a batholith, which is an underground rock formation that has been revealed by erosion. Enchanted Rock is the second-largest batholith in the United States.

The Tonkawa Native American people believed that spirits inhabited the rock, making ghost fires appear on top and emitting strange groans. The noises are actually produced by the sun-heated rock contracting in the cool evening.

Fort Stevens State Park, Oregon

The campground is open year round with over 600 campsites for campers, recreational vehicles and tents. Fort Stevens State Park is a large and lovely state park with picnic facilities, nature trails, miles of Oregon beaches, more than nine miles of paved bicycle paths and lakes. Available activities include boating, camping, fishing, and swimming. Canoes and boats can be rented during the summer.

The original fort was constructed during the Civil War. Visitors can visit the museum and explore abandoned gun batteries. Visitors can also view the remains of a shipwreck at Peter Iredale beach and watch oceangoing ships navigate the bar from the viewing platform at the South Jetty.

Golden Gate Canyon State Park, Colorado

Only 30 miles from Denver, 12,000 acres of Golden Gate Canyon State Park awaits you with hiking, picnicking and camping among dense forest, rocky peaks and aspen-filled meadows. The mountain splendor of Golden Gate Canyon's wildflower meadows, glorious autumn colors and spectacular view from the famous Panorama Point of over 100 miles of the Continental Divide make the park ideal for sightseers and photographers.

Miles upon miles of mountain trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding and 155 campsites make Golden Gate Canyon accessible to everyone. Primitive tent sites and mountain huts are found in the backcountry.

Henry W. Coe State Park, California

Encompassing more than 85,000 acres, Henry Coe is the largest state park in Northern California. Hidden from development by its rugged topography, the park offers more than 400 miles of trails and provides endless opportunities for isolation. Tents and trailers are available for campers. There are restrooms but with no showers.

There's such a vast number of things to do in close proximity to Henry W. Coe State Park, and loads of folks enjoy coming here to escape. If you adore the outdoors, there's fishing, hiking, backpacking, swimming, whitewater paddling and 250 miles of trails and dirt roads in the park.