Travel + Leisure: "10 Best Places for National Park Camping"

Above, The Watchman at Zion National Park. The Watchman Campground made Travel + Leisure's list. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I saw the Travel + Leisure article on the "10 Best Places for National Park Camping", I tried to remember what national parks I've camped in, tent or RV.

A lot of times I have camped just outside of a national park in a private campground since getting a campsite in a national park can be problematic. But my family and I have been lucky a few times.

The national parks I've actually camped in include Lassen Volcanic National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, Mesa Verde National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Grand Canyon National Park (North and South Rims), Yosemite National Park, Sequoia National Park, Redwood National Park and Crater Lake National Park.

Some of the parks are in the Travel + Leisure list.

They begin their article with:

There’s something magical about setting up camp in a national park, surrounded by impressive mountains, wooded forests, or rocky desert landscapes. National park camping allows visitors to fully immerse themselves in the natural beauty of our country’s most stunning destinations, from the Pacific coastline of Olympic National Park in Washington to the shores of the Atlantic Ocean in Acadia National Park. Plus, with options for RV hookups, traditional campgrounds, and backcountry camping, there’s something for every level of comfort and experience in national parks across the country. 

Whether you’re crossing the country in an RV on an extended road trip or simply looking for a peaceful place to get away for a long weekend, there’s a campsite for you. We’ve rounded up the best campsites in the 10 most popular national parks, but first, there are a few things to know before camping in a national park.

To read more, go here.