Top 20 Spring Camping Destinations in the US

April 20, 2022by Mike Mayleben

Spring is here, and all the flowers are blooming and growing. There really is no better season to get on the road for a glamping trip than the beautiful spring. Whether you’re craving the fresh air along the water or looking to breathe in the morning mist in the woods… one of these spring camping destinations in the US will click with you.

grand canyon
Image Credit thecanyoncom

Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon comes on top of our list. The spring weather makes it perfect for those ready to take longer days packed with activities. You can enjoy the 2-to-5 day Diamond Creek river trip or explore the backcountry hiking routes.

PS: Spring break is usually the busy season, so make sure you book your campground or lodging.

spring camping destinations in the us yosemitenation
Image Credit Yosemite Nation on Facebook

Yosemite National Park

Nothing needs to be said. If you’ve never been to Yosemite National Park, this spring is your perfect time to go. Easily one of the most stunning state parks in the US, Yosemite will take your breath away with diverse rock formations, cloud-covered mountains, giant waterfalls, and endless greeneries.

Go on a float adventure, or hike to the peak. No matter what you prefer, Yosemite will be a lifetime experience.

Image Credit County of Kern

Buena Vista

Buena Vista is a glimmering sapphire awaiting exploration, featuring various lakes and creeks. This man-made site is perfect for water-activity lovers. Lake Webb is an elongated shape of 873 acres available for boating, jet‐skiing, and fishing, plus an additional 125 acres for jet‐skiing at up to 45 mph. The much smaller Lake Evans is for the more serene sailing, fishing, and boating pursuits.

spring camping destination joshua tree
Image Credit Joshuatreeorg

Joshua Tree National Park

 Who doesn’t love these chubby desert trees? Joshua Tree National Park is perfect for spring camping. At night, the starry sky feels so close you’d almost be able to touch it with your hands. Can you name all the spring constellations?

myrtle beach
Image Credit southcarolinaparkscom

Myrtle Beach State Park

Myrtle Beach is one of the most beloved family-friendly spring camping destinations in SC. It’s affordable, easy to navigate, and has the perfect activity for everyone in the family. So, pack your Ultimate Beach Cart XL and get your reservation! If you get lucky, you might find shark teeth on the beach.

spring camping at NOLA bayous
Image Credit visit the USA

Louisiana Bayous

A bayou is a unique landscape found in the NOLA region. It’s usually a lazy river in a flat, low-lying area. But, from dark swamps thick with cypress trees to sun-kissed marshes playing host to herons and egrets, the Mississippi River Delta is a watery but photogenic wonderland.

Spring is a great time to visit if you want a crispy and refreshing trip. Because once June hits, NOLA will officially enter its endless rain season.

enchanted rock
Image Credit TPWD

Enchanted Rock State Park

Enchanted Rock is quite physically-challenging, so going in the spring before the sun blazing in Texas would be smart. Climb the ancient dome and look over the breathtaking Hill Country views. Admire the massive pink granite dome and the rock formations, and listen to the legends passed down through generations for a magical spring getaway.

spring camping destinations US NC blue ridge mountains
Image Credit NC Blue Ridge

Blue Ridge Mountains

The mountains waking up from the winter when spring comes to have a unique charm. Camp at Chimney Rock Park and climb to the peak, or rent a cabin or Air BnB closer to civilization and explore the art, history, and culture of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The possibilities are endless.

Image Credit peakvisor

Pisgah National Forest

As part of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Pisgah National Forest is a land of mile-high peaks, cascading waterfalls, and heavily forested slopes. Covering over 500,000 acres, Pisgah National is primarily a hardwood forest with whitewater rivers and waterfalls. The hundreds of miles of trails allow you to plan according to your abilities.

great smokie mountain
Image Credit iStock

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Great Smoky Mountains is an ideal getaway for a spring trip. Hike, camp, and experience one of America’s oldest mountain ranges. The view from the peak as trees begin to sprout new greens will take all your stress away and fill you with new hope.

spring camping GOM
Image Credit Gulf County Florida Tourism

Gulf of Mexico

Spring breeze, soft white sand, endless ocean… isn’t that perfect? Easy beach Walk with turtle patrol at dawn on the white sandy beaches or gaze at the stars at night. This is one of the few places where the water and the sky truly blend with each other, creating a paradise of infinity.

Want to avoid the crowds? Check out the best hidden beaches in the US!

deathvalley
Image Credit NPS

Death Valley National Park

Spring is the perfect time to visit Death Valley. Dodge the fate of getting barbecued by the summer heat. Instead, enjoy the vast wildflowers blooming all over the place after a few spring rainstorms. At the same time, you can also explore the lush oases scattering across the valley.

fhtrailsks
Image Credit Flint Hills Trail State Park

Flint Hills Trail

The prairies in the spring are gorgeous. You’ll never see fresher grass patches that extend all the way to the skyline unless you’re in the prairie states in the Midwest. Flint Hills Trail State Park is a great place for a beginner’s camping trip in the spring. You can also rent horses for a chill horseback ride through the trail.

spring camping destinations olympics
Image Credit NPS

Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park is one of the most diverse parks in the US, thanks to its elevation and range of precipitation. The park is almost a million acres and presents several distinctly different ecosystems. This is the only place where you'll find glacier-capped mountains, old-growth temperate rain forests, and 70+ miles of wild coastline all next to each other.

Image Credit NPS

Cape Lookout National Seashore

Looking for a spring star-gazing destination? Cape Lookout is the first Atlantic coastal Dark Sky Place in the National Park Service to be certified as an International Dark Sky Park! There is nothing more romantic than camping on the beach and looking at the night sky, with the historic lighthouse in the background.

Image Credit John Tal

Tishomingo State Park

Discover the same timeless natural beauty that enchanted the Indians centuries ago. Tishomingo State Park features giant rock formations, fern-filled crevices, and massive boulders covered in green moss. With several historic remains across the park, a hike through would feel like you’re walking back in time.

VOF hero
Image Credit Travel Nevada

Valley of Fire State Park

Love yourself with some bright red sandstone formations while the temperature is still bearable! Valley of Fire is a marvel on Earth — unless you go there mid-summer. Then it’s a grill on earth.

The park features red sandstones, historic sites, and the famous white dome. We always find ourselves out of words facing nature’s masterpiece at this state park.

eagle bluff sunset
Image Credit Wikimedia Commons

Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area

Eagle Bluffs is only short drive southwest from Columbia, MO, which comes with several conservation areas for an urban camping trip if that’s what you’re into. During spring and summer, you can go on a leisure float trip or challenge the 12-day adventure trip. Camp, explore, hike, or relax — this is one of the best spring camping destinations in the U.S. for sure.

Want more places to camp in the midwest? Check out our list of best Midwest state parks for more ideas!

spring camping destinations for family sdc bransonmo
Image Credit Silver Dollar City

Silver Dollar City

A favorite tourist resort in Branson, MO, silver dollar city has everything from an amusement park to amazing wilderness for you to explore. The campground is family-friendly and comes with great amenities. This is a perfect destination for those looking for a mixture of urban fun and a nature getaway.

rok brdige
Image Credit Wikimedia Commons

Rock Bridge Memorial State Park

Walk into an enchanted forest at Rock Bridge Memorial State Park. Everything here is picturesque on a spring evening as you watch the sunsets.

It is best known for the Devil's Icebox Boardwalk. This short trail is only a half-mile long but will take you through both under and over the rock bridge, with the rare opportunity to explore Connor's Cave on your own. You’ll also pass by an underground stream, a small spring, and a sinkhole along the way.

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