Camping in the United States Voyage Tips and guide

Camping is popular in the United States, with many thousands of campgrounds scattered around the country, especially in the more scenic areas near its national parks and other wilderness areas. Car camping and RV camping are most common, and wilderness camping is somewhat popular in the more sparsely populated western states.

Many of the most scenic campgrounds in the States are on federal land. The federal government holds huge areas across numerous agencies, including:

• National Parks Service (NPS) — an extensive series of national parks, national monuments, national historic sites, national recreational areas, national preserves, which encompass some of the most spectacular landscapes and evocative landmarks in the country
• U.S. Forest Service (USFS), part of the Department of Agriculture — administers the nation's 154 national forests and 20 national grasslands
• Bureau of Land Management (BLM), part of the Department of the Interior — oversees more than 247,300,000 acres (100,100,000 hectares), one-eighth of the United States's total landmass
• Army Corps of Engineers, part of the Department of the Army — operates more than 2,500 recreation areas at 463 projects (mostly lakes)

States, counties, and cities may also have their own land available.

Government campgrounds are sometimes managed through concessionaires, private companies contracted to provide amenities to campers.

Many campgrounds, especially those oriented towards RVs, are privately owned.

Most campsites are developed and improved. A site being developed simply means a compacted area for pitching shelter is present, and there may be a ring for wood fires and table. A site is improved when it has access to amenities such as drinkable water, toilets, trash bins, or showers. In bear country, you might also have a bear-proof box for food storage. A primitive site, on the other hand, means that no amenities are available; it's just a place to drive up to and put up a tent.

Some sites have electrical, water and waste hookups for Recreational Vehicles (often called RVs, motorhomes, trailers or campervans). RV Parks specialize in providing services to RVers, and have electrical, water, and waste hookups at every site. Some also accommodate tent campers, such as the national chain KOA. For tent campers, some of these places may be just as enjoyable as non-electric sites, while others are about as enjoyable as parking lots.

If you are camping with a large group, it can often be cheaper to get a group site for a lower cost per-person. Some grounds even have sites set aside for youth groups.

Privately owned campgrounds generally cost more and offer more amenities and services. Government owned campgrounds generally cost less and offer fewer amenities and services.

Some area allow dispersed camping, outside of a designated campground: a pullout along the road, a remote patch of desert, a desolate beach, or nearly anywhere else you can drive up to and pitch a tent without bothering someone. These areas are typically free, or covered by cheap annual recreation passes. You need to be self-contained, as there are no amenities like water, restrooms or trash cans.

Dispersed camping is generally allowed in National Forests (NF/USFS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) areas. National Forests can be found nationwide, whereas BLM lands are generally west of the Rockies. It is not allowed in most National Park Service (NPS) sites, and tends to not be allowed at state and local parks (which are often much smaller).

The following are typical restrictions for BLM or USFS lands. Contact the local agency office to check for any needed permits or special rules:

• Do not camp within 1/4 mile of a designated campground.
• Do not camp in the same area for more than 14 days.
• Do not drive more than 100-150 feet from a road, to limit damage.
• Large groups may need a special use permit.
• Leave-no-trace camping principles must be observed at all times. If a particular area becomes overused or damaged, it may be closed off.
  • Camp at least 200 feet from any stream or other water source.
  • Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter.

Sites that aren't accessible by motorized vehicles are considered backpacking or backcountry sites. You will have to carry in your tent and gear through hiking or horse trails.

Popular campgrounds generally recommend advance reservations, and in some cases require them for all campers. The most popular campgrounds often fill up weeks or months in advance.

Less popular campgrounds are generally "first come, first serve", meaning that the first person to park and/or set up at the site for the night gets it, and they may occupy that site as long as desired, up to any maximum number of days set by the campground rules (often 14 days). These campground usually require registration on site, during which you will get a tag to display at your campsite to indicate you have paid. Bring cash; not all campgrounds have ways to accept electronic payment (even in 2025). Privately owned campgrounds are less likely to have maximum stay restrictions.

Recreation.gov, operated by a contractor on behalf of the federal government, is the most widely-used reservation service for federal campgrounds. Each facility uses the site a little differently: some open up reservation in large blocks at the beginning of the year, some have rolling openings 2-12 months out. A few campsites are highly competitive: people wait on the site in the minutes before reservations open, and then snap up openings within seconds.

Rates vary significantly depending on location, campground ownership, season, and amenities provided. Grounds often have different rates during popular holiday weekends, such as Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. Government-owned campgrounds are generally low cost ($10-30 per night) and sometimes free, while privately owned campgrounds typically range from $15 per night for tent camping to $80 or more for RVs with full services and amenities.

Sitting around a roaring fire while roasting marshmallows on sticks is an iconic camping experience, and a cozy way to pass the evening away.

Check to make sure that fires are allowed in your campground. Increasingly, outdoor burn bans are placed during dry periods in places susceptible to wildfires, which is much of the western U.S. These can last for months during especially dry summers. If a burn ban is in place, it will typically be posted near the campground entrance, and fire rings may even be closed and locked. You can still use gas and canister stoves (except under extreme circumstances), just not open flame that can't be turn off with the twist of a dial. Some campers resort to packing in propane-fueled portable fireplaces during these times.

Most campgrounds aren't going to have suitable firewood lying around. Sometimes the campground offers split and dried wood for sale, sometimes you need to bring it in yourself. Convenience stores, grocery stores and entrepreneurial neighbors within a few miles of popular campgrounds will sell you wood by the $5-10 bundle. Buy firewood from nearby if possible, and do not haul in wood from outside the state or region, as this can introduce pests and invasive species.

Propane stoves are popular for camping. Propane canisters can be found in sporting goods stores across the country, and in supermarkets and convenience stores near outdoors areas. Butane stoves are also common, and lightweight iso-butane canister stoves are standard for hikers and backpackers.

If you're camping anywhere close to wild, you need to protect your food from critters. Wildlife from around the area know that campgrounds are easy pickings for calorie-dense human food, and will search campsites accordingly. Squirrels, mice, other rodents and raccoons are the most likely offenders, while bears are the most notorious (and potentially dangerous). Do not leave food unattended. Secure food and anything scented (such as toiletries and insect repellents) in a vehicle, in a designated "bear box" or some other certified bear-safe container. Your tent is not rodent-safe or bear-safe. In a few areas where animals are the most habituated to campground foraging, even your car is not entirely safe.

Developed and improved campgrounds generally have a source of potable water onsite (but double-check to make sure). Primitive campgrounds, on the other hand, generally do not. Bring in your own water, or treat water collected from a nearby source.

If you consume alcohol at camp, be aware of the "open container" laws of the state. Laws regarding alcohol, vehicles and sitting in vehicles (even parked vehicles) can be strictly enforced. Campgrounds may have stricter policies if they don't want to deal with rowdy bunches playing with fire late at night.

The U.S. has thousands of campgrounds, across all 50 states, from the humble small communities of middle America to some of the world's most captivating natural landscapes.

Take a look at the following for some great camping ideas:

• California desert camping
• United States National Park System

• Camping in British Columbia
• Hiking in the United States