On the totem of simple summer getaways, car camping is at the top—almost all the gear you need can be culled from your garage, you don’t have to go very far, and there’s no need to give up too many creature comforts. Chances are there’s an easy-access spot near you, but here are some of the country’s best to get you inspired.
Best for: Wilderness with a Hint of Civilization
Lake Powhatan Recreation Area, North Carolina
Amenities: Picnic tables, tent pads, lantern posts and campfire rings with grills, hot showers, flush toilets, ice and firewood, and inner tube rentals.
Price: $22 per night.
Reservations: (877) 444-6777
Lake Powhatan Recreation Area is only 15 minutes from Asheville, yet it’s location in the Bent Creek Experimental Forest makes it feel far removed. There are 44 miles of trails for hikers and mountain bikers; for kids, there’s a beach and swimming in Lake Powhatan. Not far away: Sliding Rock (natural waterslide), Looking Glass Falls, and the French Broad River (popular with anglers looking to hook white bass, skip jack shad, and striper). When civilization beckons, head to Asheville for some savory Southern cooking at Tupelo Honey.
Best for: Island Life
Big Bay State Park, Wisconsin
Amenities: Picnic tables, fire rings, hot showers, and flush toilets.
Price: $15 per night for Wisconsin residents, $17 per night for nonresidents. All vehicles must have a parking permit: $7 per day or $25 annual sticker for Wisconsin residents, $10 per day or $35 annual sticker for nonresidents.
Reservations: (715) 747-6425
It’s worth the 25-minute car-ferry ride to the 2,350-acre Big Bay State Park on Madeline Island (the only one of the 22 Apostle Islands that isn’t included in Lake Superior’s National Lakeshore) because the 60 campsites just off the sandy beach are extremely quiet. Rent a kayak to explore the coastal bluffs, or have an SUP delivered from Bayfield to paddle the calm lagoon. On land, the best way to explore the 14-mile-long, three-mile-wide island is by bicycle. Take a break from camp cooking and pedal to La Pointe for fresh trout or whitefish at the Beach Club.
Best for: Groups with Kids
Whiteface Mountain KOA, New York
Amenities: Hot showers, flush toilets, heated pool, game room, bike rentals, mini-golf, tennis, laundry, store, Wi-Fi, and breakfast dining room.
Price: $31 to $38 per night.
Reservations: (800) 562-0368
This pet-friendly, privately owned site in the Adirondack Mountains is like summer camp—packed with organized activities for kids like hayrides, movie nights, and DJ dances. From camp, a trail leads to impressive views of the Ausable River Gorge, or walk about a half-mile from the campground to Flume Falls and its popular swimming hole. This is also a convenient base for exploring nearby Lake Placid, where you have your pick of adventure sports: rock climbing, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, kayaking, SUPing, and farm-to-table restaurants.
Best for: Solitude
Cascadia State Park, Oregon
Amenities: Picnic tables, flush toilets, and communal fire pit.
Price: $17 per night.
Reservations: (800) 452-5687; the 25 individual tent sites are first come, first served, so call ahead for availability.
Surrounded by Douglas firs and cedars deep in the Willamette National Forest, this campground feels more remote than it is. Take an easy walk along the creek to Lower Soda Falls or to the South Santiam River, where you can swim and fish. If you’re feeling like a serious hike with some Native American history, the 7.5-hour Cascadia Cave tour departs from the Ranger District Office in Sweet Home and takes you to the site of 8,000-year-old petroglyphs. Mountain bike trails and whitewater rafting are also nearby.
Best for: Friends or Couples
D.L. Bliss State Park, California
Amenities: Restrooms, hot showers, fire pit with grill, picnic table, and bear locker.
Price: $45 per night for beach campsites, $35 for all others.
Reservations: (800) 444-7175; books up quickly, so plan ahead.
A rarity on the shores of Lake Tahoe, this campsite is far enough from Highway 89 to mask the traffic noise. Leave the kids at home and bring your toys: bikes, kayaks, paddleboards, and beer. Mountain bike on either the 14-mile Flume Trail or parts of the 165-mile Tahoe Rim Trail. Put in at Lester Beach. Hike the 6.5 miles from Rubicon Point to Emerald Bay. Hungry? Blue Dog Pizza in South Tahoe is a quick trip.