The Best Campgrounds From East to West

Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina

A campsite that appeals to both the short attention spans and the wildlife lifers, Cape Lookout offers a range of things to do, from a breath of fresh air and swimming to a full day of kayaking across one of the country's best paddling locations. You can paddle out and fish the day away three miles off the mainland, or you can pull up on some sand and fish just off shore. Either way, the east coast view of North Carolina is right up there with the best of them.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan

America's first National Lakeshore has more than 100 miles of Michigan lake view scenery and woodsy welcoming. Pictured Rocks is great in both summer and fall, as the scene goes from bright sunshine on the lake to leaves changing through a tree-filled hike. Follow the paths and stumble upon some of the Midwest's best lake cliffs and waterfalls. It's calm enough to fish, swim and boat, but just pretty enough that you'll challenge yourself to explore more because you can't get enough.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

It's a big park but somebody's got to hike it. Extending from Montana to Idaho covering more than two million acres of wilderness and wildlife, Yellowstone is one of the National Park backbones of our overdeveloping country. Wake up and hike the secluded trails of Wyoming, watch the elk pondering life, standstill in front of grizzly bears so they cannot smell your fear and then finish the hike with a run like hell from gray wolves.

Seriously, it's beautiful and a very popular place for sightseeing and outdoor goodness. If you're not into rafting trips, kayaking, climbing or dog sledding, then we feel sorry for you, but the good news is they have spas, cavern tours and, of course, sleigh rides, should the mood end up striking you.

The Grand Canyon, Arizona

No cross-country camping trip would be complete without a trip to America's awe-inspiring canyon of them all, The Grand Canyon. Located along the Colorado River as one of the only great things about Arizona, the Grand Canyon is a marvel of human wonder, probably because for once, it wasn't made by man.

With a deep look of amazement into the Earth, guests of the backcountry can take the subterranean stance on a river raft though any of the hundreds of miles of canyon or ride on across the planes and plateaus of the colorful sandstone. Nobody has ever regretted a trip to the Grand Canyon, and nobody who ever wrote a good love song did so without seeing it for themselves.

Zion National Park, Utah

Moving a little north and west, we get to see the sandstone cliffs of America's desert region. Utah's Zion National Park is a goldmine of unique bird and plant life for canyon backpackers. You can explore the heights of one of America's most underrated states for beauty with canyon hiking or enjoy the view from below on a river-rafting trip. There's always the usual camping, climbing and biking available, but if the outdoors aren't for you, they still have a subway. Kidding, but they do have The Subway, which is a nine-mile stretch of caverns, caves and creeks to keep your phone camera entertained.

Glacier National Park, Montana

Stacked with mountains and river valleys across Montana's plush landscape, including the pristine Lake Ellen Wilson, Glacier National Park is home to some of Mother Earth's greatest accomplishments, which can be seen clearly whether you're up on a hilltop or down in its ravine. Its blue rivers, green alpines and white mountain tops will stimulate your eyes and get your legs moving across the 700 miles of hiker paradise. Just don't go hiking all 700 miles at once. With countless campsites available and plenty of wildlife to see, there's no end to the peace of mind you can find in these meadows.

Yosemite National Park, California

Finally to the golden goose of California, we enter Yosemite National Park, known for its wide-open space and waterfalls. No stranger to a good camping trip, Yosemite has 13 popular campsites on a first-come basis. With rich meadows and giant sequoias, you can get along with nature like you're Willy Nelson while staying not too far from society, just a little ways east of the Bay cities.

Beginning Memorial Day weekend and rolling into the fall, campers can do just about anything their little camper hearts desire, from swimming and fishing to biking, climbing and horseback riding. It's a popular spot so plan ahead and find a shady spot out of the California sun. How do we know it's popular? Because the gang from "Saved by the Bell" planned a trip here; that's how.

Beacon Rock State Park, Washington

Heading a little closer to the western coast, Washington state stirs up a frenzy with its Beacon Rock campgrounds. Located just outside Portland, Oregon, the mile-high Beacon Rock is a friend to climbers and photographers nationwide. Its view of the Columbia River Gorge as you climb to higher grounds is worth the visit alone. Although fair warning to young ones and dogs, this spot can be great for family but may be more tailored to advanced outdoorsman.

Nestled between a number of hillside walkways and horse riding trails, Beacon Rock shows off its best parts with the long legs of high elevation views and photogenic greenery. Any fan of Portland would likely dig this step outside of urban life for a taste of the good life.