The Best National Parks for Camping

Settling on the right campground might just be the most difficult part of camping in America's picturesque national parks as travelers have no shortage of excellent options to choose from regardless of the time of year. With summer winding down and fall foliage season right around the corner, consider planning your next camping trip to one of these awesome protected lands or take a last-minute getaway to celebrate National S'mores Day (August 10) like a pro.

Home to more than a dozen campgrounds, Montana's Glacier National Park is a dream destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Keep in mind that most of the park's campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis with the exception of a few including Fish Creek and St. Mary.

America's most-visited national park offers an array of camping options, including frontcountry, backcountry, horse camps and even large sites for groups. RV and car campers will love spots like Deep Creek and Cades Cove while Forney Creek is ideal for backcountry campers.

Like Appalachia's Great Smoky Mountains, the Grand Canyon is one of the nation's most popular camping destinations so planning ahead is vital to a satisfying trip. The South Rim's Trailer Village offers full hook-ups year-round. The North Rim is more ideal for seclusion but camping wraps up here by Halloween.

The world's first national park features thousands of campsites, many of which operate on a first-come. first-served basis. Experienced campers can also escape the crowds at more than 300 backcountry sites requiring permits for overnight stays.

April through September is the busiest season for camping in Yosemite National Park and the popular Yosemite Valley requires reservations year-round to ensure a smooth experience. Weekends fill up quick even in the spring and summer so you'll want to plan ahead and book your spot several months in advance.

Whether you're camping in an RV or a tent, Utah's Bryce Canyon can't be beaten. The rustic Sunset Campground is perfect for larger groups as it offers restrooms and picnic tables close to the park's most coveted sites and trails.

Consider yourself very lucky if you're able to reserve a weekend campsite on Maryland's Assateague Island. This popular spot fills up quick for the warmer months so frontcountry campers might prefer a winter escape between mid-November and mid-March when campsites are first-come, first-served. Award-winning Frontier Town in nearby Berlin, Maryland is an excellent backup plan.

There's a different kind of satisfaction that comes with camping in Minnesota's Voyageurs National Park as the campsites here are only accessible by water. Kayakers and boaters will have the advantage but RV and car campers can still find solid options close to the park.

If it's peace and quiet, wildlife or world-class stargazing you seek, head to Big Bend National Park. You can't go wrong at either Chisos Basin, Cottonwood or Rio Grande Village Campgrounds. All three are run by the National Park Service while the latter can accommodate RVs.

Another iconic Utah national park, Arches is limited in terms of in-park camping as Devils Garden Campground is your only option. However, there are many other campgrounds in the surrounding Moab area so be sure to plan ahead to ensure you can experience the region's more than 2,000 natural stone arches without any headaches.

This spectacular camping destination is worthy of a spot on every camper's bucket list. Open to both tent campers and RVs, Hidden Valley Campground is the most coveted spot to set up in Joshua Tree National Park as it's convenient to hiking and some of the park's best climbing sites. Avoid the high season to ensure a site as they are first-come, first-served. White Tank and Belle Campgrounds are also excellent options.

Zion National Park is a paradise for active travelers, offering hiking, biking, horseback riding, climbing, fishing, swimming, birding and so much more. Watchman and Lava Point Campgrounds are ideal if you don't mind first-come, first-served sites while South Campground allows reservations up to two weeks in advance.

You'll want to make your reservation in advance when camping in Maine's Acadia National Park. Blackwoods, Seawall and Schoodic Woods Campgrounds are the top places for visitors. Blackwoods is very popular as it's located in the center of the park and just a short drive to nearby Bar Harbor.

Hot Springs, Arkansas is one of the nation's most charming mountain towns so there are lots to explore here. Gulpha Gorge Campground is the only one located in the park and can accommodate both tents and RVs on a first-come, first-served basis.

Camping in Alaska's stunning Denali National Park & Preserve is a one-of-a-kind experience but most campgrounds here close in mid-September ahead of the harsh weather. Riley Creek is the largest and your best year-round option. It's open to RVs and tents and fees are only charged during the busier summer months.

Michigan's Isle Royale offers a unique camping experience as the park's three dozen campgrounds must be accessed either by foot or via watercraft. If you don't have a boat or kayak, be prepared to hike a good distance as you make your way from one campground to the next.

Camping is seasonal in Virginia's Shenandoah National Park and the fall is arguably the best time to pitch a tent or park your RV in one of the park's five campgrounds as the autumn foliage is at its peak. Families can't go wrong at Big Meadows Campground just off of the scenic Skyline Drive.

Believe it or not, you can hike through a rainforest without leaving the U.S. Washington's Olympic National Park is home to the Hoh Rain Forest and the Hoh Campground is a popular basecamp for travelers seeking to explore it. The campground features nearly 80 sites but all are granted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Campsites in Grand Teton National Park typically fill up during the busy summer season lasting through mid-August and operate on a first-come, first-served basis. The Jenny Lake Campground here is considered one of the crown jewels of camping so make sure it's at the top of your list.

Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park offers a memorable camping experience for couples, families, groups and even solo campers. Moraine Park is available year-round and features over 240 reservable sites. It can also accommodate RVs up to 40 feet long.