Best Scenic Spots To Visit While Camping
If you’re ready to head out on your next big adventure but aren’t quite sure where to go, never fear! The team at Bowlus is here to assist you with a list of some of the best scenic spots that you can visit all across the continental United States. Hopefully, you’ll find some inspiration on the list and will be able to see something you’ve never seen before. And isn’t that what life is all about? Experience the world, one adventure at a time.
Glacier National Park, Montana
Glacier National Park is located in the northwest portion of Montana, near the border of Canada. There are more than one million acres in the park, including portions of two ranges of the Rocky Mountains.
With hundreds of species of animals and more than a thousand different species of plants, the natural beauty of Glacier National Park is unparalleled. It’s the perfect scenic spot to visit for any camper who wants to experience some of the most beautiful territory in the United States. Make sure to check out the “Crown of the Continent Ecosystem,” which is 16,000 square miles of protected land that make up the largest intact ecosystem in the country.
Glacier National Park has over 700 miles of hiking trails and a breathtaking amount of alpine meadows, spectacular lakes, pristine forests, and rugged mountains to discover. For the full experience, drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road, which travels through the width of the entire park from the west to east entrance stations. This road showcases some of the best sights the park has to offer.
When it comes to overnight facilities, there are 13 different campground sites to choose from. However, most do not have utility hookups, so plan on boondocking. The park is great for a weekend or even a few weeks. There will be so much for you to see that every trip back will be a new and exciting experience.
Arches National Park, Utah
Although Arches National Park, near the border of Utah and Colorado, is one of the smallest national parks (at just under 119 square miles), it is one of the most visually stunning. There really is nothing else like it on earth.
The park is home to more than 2,000 natural stone arches that become even more breathtaking when illuminated by the light at sunset. And after sunset, the low light pollution and stellar air quality make it so that you can see the stars in all their natural glory at night, especially at Panorama Point. In fact, the park is just as well-known for its stargazing as it is the arches it was named for.
During the day, make sure to hike the Delicate Arch Trail while visiting the park. This is a short but difficult three-mile trail that takes you past one of the most well-known arches in the park, as well as beautiful wildflowers, the Wolfe Ranch cabin, and Ute Indian petroglyphs, which have to be seen to be believed.
For overnight camping, there is only one campground at the park, known as the Devils Garden campground. However, as there are only 51 sites, they tend to book quickly, so make sure to reserve in advance if you’re planning a trip. The scenery, both around you and above you, make it well worth the visit.
Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
Southern Oregon is home to Crater Lake National Park. It takes its name after its central feature, a lake that was formed nearly 8,000 years ago in a remnant of a destroyed volcano, Mount Mazama. Lake Crater is fed by the rain and snow that falls in the area, making it one of the most pristine lakes in the world. It is also the deepest lake in the United States at almost 2,000 feet deep, making it, and the surrounding Cascade Mountain Range, an absolutely stunning natural wonder to behold.
If you want to stay at the park overnight, there are two different campgrounds on the premises— Lost Creek Campground and Mazama Campground. However, be aware that only Mazama Campground allows travel trailers. Both are first come, first serve, and can book quickly (especially in the late spring and summer).
While visiting, take advantage of all of the outdoor opportunities offered at the park. Enjoy a walking tour, go for a hike, do some fishing, or take in the historic and scenic Rim Drive. The park is full of organic beauty to take in, and there are plenty of fun adventures to be found no matter how many times you visit.
Sequoia And Kings Canyon National Parks, California
If trees are your thing, why not take a trip to see some of the biggest in the country?
Both Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, in California have some of the largest trees in the entire world. They are also the oldest, estimated to have been growing for potentially around 3,000 years or more. In addition to the trees, the park is also home to plenty of hiking, caving (make sure to check out the stunning marble Crystal Cave), rock climbing, and horseback riding.
For overnight stays, the parks have fourteen campgrounds between them, mostly first come, first serve. Most of those campgrounds also allow travel trailers, and some of them have utility hookups. Because these sites are so popular, you may want to consider booking in advance to save a spot.
And absolutely don’t miss when visiting Sequoia National Park is the General Sherman Tree. The General Sherman sequoia is the tallest tree on the planet at 275 feet tall and 25 feet in diameter, but words will never be able to do it justice. You have to see it for yourself. It is a unique amazing photo opportunity as well.
Badlands National Parks, South Dakota
Although most people consider scenic to be tall trees, deep lakes, and majestic arches, the Badlands in South Dakota is just as picturesque. With more than 24,000 acres on the western side of the state, the park is unique for a number of reasons.
The Badlands is home to one of the most abundant fossil beds in the world, the final resting place of many different ancient mammals, including a saber-tooth tiger. But the park is also where plenty of living animals live. It’s not unusual to see bison, prairie dogs, and big-footed sheep wandering around.
There are two official campgrounds, but only the Cedar Pass Campground allows travel trailers bigger than 18 feet in length. Boondocking is also permitted anywhere in the park that is more than half a mile from a road or trail and is not visible. Be aware that the weather and the terrain can be challenging, but your Bowlus travel trailer will see you through any storm.
Acadia National Park, Maine
Acadia National Park is as huge as it is scenic, with 17 million acres of forests, 32,000 miles of streams and rivers, and 6,000 ponds and lakes.
There are just over 25 miles of scenic roadways to cruise down, some of them along the highest rocky headlands of the Atlantic coast. There are also 158 miles of trails to hike, as well as other outdoor activities like horseback riding, rock climbing, bicycling, and birdwatching.
Acadia National Park has multiple campgrounds, all of which are open to travel trailers, so get ready to take your Bowlus. The park also allows boondocking on most of the property.
Assateague Island, Maryland
Scenery doesn’t have to be something that is the biggest or deepest in the world. Assateague Island proves that in spades, as it is home not to mountains or trees but hundreds of ponies unique to the area.
While the island itself is only 37 miles long, it is full of outdoor activities to enjoy. Visitors can kayak, go crabbing or birdwatching, taking a sightseeing cruise, or just enjoy a day in the sun on the beach. There is also an annual Pony Penning event every July, which has been held for nearly a hundred years.
Overnight visitors can stay at one of the official established campgrounds or enjoy boondocking at some of the other “backcountry” areas the island offers.
Mount Pisgah, North Carolina
Mount Pisgah isn’t nearly as well-known as its neighbor, the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. However, while smaller, it is just as stunning. In fact, the natural beauty of the park starts on the scenic drive in on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Full of hiking, like the 16-mile Shut-In Trail, Mount Pisgah gives visitors the ability to enjoy the scenery without having to deal with all of the crowds that are always present at Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
There is a single campground on the premises as well, with over 120 campsites, so that you don’t have to travel far to get some shut-eye.
In Summary…
With a list packed full of the most scenic spots in the United States, picking your next adventure should be easy! No matter which one you choose, you’ll be sure to see some of the most beautiful natural wonders that the country has to offer.
It’s always great to get into nature and away from all the stress the modern world puts on us in your Bowlus travel trailer, knowing that you’ll still have all the necessary comforts and utilities, and you’ll never have to worry about a power hookup. Our trailers are ready to take you anywhere, from boondocking under the stars to luxurious RV parks, so get ready for your next adventure.
Sources:
https://home.nps.gov/glac/index.htm
https://www.nps.gov/arch/index.htm
https://www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm
https://www.nps.gov/badl/index.htm