Asking yourself how do I find camping near me? Want to go camping without having to make a huge road trip to do so? Check out these 13 types of campsites that may be closer than you think.
City Parks
Some towns and municipalities allow seasonal camping at their parks. Others offer a few special days each year for citizens to enjoy pitching tents and lingering in the great outdoors. Explore the parks and recreation section of your city’s /county’s/borough’s website to learn of camping availability.
State Parks
Decidedly more state parks than city parks offer overnight camping opportunities. Check out StateParks.com for a quick listing of parks broken down by state and location within the state to find options close to you. For more detailed information, visit your state park system website.
State Forests
Another economical, easily accessible camping option may be a state forest. Camping amenities are often not as plentiful in state forests, but these locations are gorgeous places to commune with nature in more rustic settings.
State forest camping generally falls under individual state Department of Natural Resources of Bureau of Forestry agencies. A quick Google search of your “state’s name and state forests” will lead you to the right website.
State Historic Sites
Sprinkled throughout the United States are a limited number of historic sites that allow camping. Reservations for a number of these sites can be made through State Park websites.
State Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs)
Often the state agencies tasked with fish and wildlife or natural resource conservation are in charge of reservations in WMA areas. More often that not, like the state forests, camping will lean to the more primitive side with fewer amenities. Once again, a google search of your “state’s name and wildlife management areas camping” will lead you to the right agency.
US. Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) Sites
You will find 90,000 plus ACE campsites and 11,000 plus miles of trail. Check the Corps Lakes Gateway site to see what is available near you.
U.S. Military Installations
If you are active duty or retired military, options are available for camping at military installations throughout the United States. Check out the unofficial U.S. Military Campgrounds and RV Parks map search to find military compounds near you that offer camping.
National Parks, Forests, Seashores, and Wildlife Management Areas
Similar to the state park and forest set up, but reservations are handled on a national level. Check out Recreation.gov for reservation opportunities and campsite details.
National Wildlife Refuges
Wildlife refugees often offer off the beaten path, stunningly beautiful places to camp. To see if a refuge is in easy reach of you, use the National Wildlife Refuge search tool.
Private Properties Camping Near Me
Some businesses and individuals bring in income by renting out camping spots. From big backyards to vineyards, the campsite offerings are varied in ambiance, price and amenities. For example, at a KOA site you are going to find plenty of recreation and comfort features tailored to campers as compared to Average Joe’s field within walking distance to a creek. To explore what is available on the private property side of camping, take a look at:
- GoCampingAmerica-A huge database of private and public campsites
- KOA–Kampgrounds of America-485 plus campgrounds.
- Hipcamp-Thousands upon thousands of options in a whole range of interesting places.
Now that you know about all the campsite options above, you will never have to ask again, “Where can I go camping near me?”.
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