If you’re dreaming of crisp air, scenic hikes, and sleeping under the stars, there’s no better way to soak it all in than camping at a national park.
From towering red cliffs to alpine lakes, these ten parks stand out not only for their breathtaking landscapes but also for their unique camping experiences. Whether you’re roughing it in a tent or rolling in with your RV, here’s your guide to the best national parks for RV camping.
| National Park | Campground | Hookups | Best Time to Visit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellowstone | Bridge Bay Campground | No hookups; dump station available | Late spring to early fall |
| Zion | Watchman Campground | Electric hookups available at Watchman | Spring and fall |
| Great Smoky Mountains | Multiple Frontcountry Options | No hookups; restrooms available | Spring and fall |
| Yosemite | Upper Pines, Lower Pines, North Pines | No hookups; dump stations at select locations | Late spring to fall |
| Glacier | Apgar, Fish Creek, Many Glacier | No hookups | July to September |
| Grand Canyon | Mather, Trailer Village, Desert View, North Rim | Only Trailer Village has full hookups | Spring and fall |
| Acadia | Blackwoods, Seawall, Schoodic Woods | No hookups | Summer and early fall |
| Arches | Devils Garden Campground | No hookups | Spring and fall |
| Rocky Mountain | Glacier Basin, Timber Creek | No hookups | Summer to early fall |
| Shenandoah | Big Meadows, Mathews Arm, Lewis Mountain | No hookups | Fall and Spring |
1. Yellowstone National Park – Wyoming, Montana, Idaho
- Campgrounds: 11 campgrounds total, including Bridge Bay, Madison, Canyon, Grant Village, Fishing Bridge (full hookups), and more
- Campground Highlight: Bridge Bay Campground
- Camping Type: No hookups; dump station available
- Amenities: Cold running water (in restrooms), flush toilets, dishwashing stations; no showers on-site, but available at nearby Fishing Bridge RV Park.
- Why It’s Special: As America’s first national park, Yellowstone is a geothermal wonderland of geysers, hot springs, and wildlife.
- Things to Do: Visit Old Faithful, hike the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, and enjoy Yellowstone Lake.
- Nearby Activities: Fishing, boating, and visiting Grand Teton National Park.
- Kid & Pet Friendly: Pets are allowed in campgrounds; family-friendly with ranger-led programs.
- Best Time to Visit: Late spring through early fall (watch for bear activity early season).
2. Zion National Park – Utah
- Campgrounds: 3 campgrounds — Watchman (electric hookups), South (closed for renovation), Lava Point (primitive, seasonal)
- Campground Highlight: Watchman Campground
- Camping Type: Electric hookups available; no water/sewer hookups
- Amenities: Flush toilets, cold drinking water, fire pits; no showers (available in Springdale).
- Why It’s Special: Zion’s red cliffs and narrow canyons make it one of the most dramatic desert parks in the U.S.
- Things to Do: Hike Angels Landing, The Narrows, and enjoy scenic drives.
- Nearby Activities: Explore Kanab, visit nearby Bryce Canyon.
- Kid & Pet Friendly: Pets allowed in campgrounds and on Pa’rus Trail; shaded sites limited.
- Best Time to Visit: Spring and Fall.
3. Great Smoky Mountains National Park – North Carolina & Tennessee
- Campgrounds: 10 front-country campgrounds, including Elkmont, Smokemont, Cades Cove, and more
- Campground Highlight: Multiple Frontcountry Campgrounds
- Camping Type: No hookups
- Amenities: Flush toilets, cold running water, picnic tables, fire grates
- Why It’s Special: Misty mountain vistas and the highest biodiversity of any U.S. national park.
- Things to Do: Clingmans Dome, hike to waterfalls, explore Cades Cove.
- Nearby Activities: Blue Ridge Parkway, Gatlinburg attractions.
- Kid & Pet Friendly: Yes! Pets are allowed in campgrounds and select trails.
- Best Time to Visit: Spring for wildflowers, fall for foliage.
4. Yosemite National Park – California
- Campgrounds: Over a dozen, including Upper Pines, Lower Pines, North Pines, Wawona, Hodgdon Meadow, Tuolumne Meadows, and seasonal options
- Campground Highlight: Upper, Lower, and North Pines
- Camping Type: No hookups; dump stations at select sites
- Amenities: Tap water, restrooms, fire rings; showers only available at Curry Village
- Why It’s Special: Iconic granite cliffs, waterfalls, and ancient sequoias
- Things to Do: Half Dome, Mist Trail, Yosemite Falls
- Nearby Activities: Mariposa Grove, Tuolumne Meadows
- Kid & Pet Friendly: Pets allowed in campgrounds and on paved paths
- Best Time to Visit: Late spring through fall
5. Glacier National Park – Montana
- Campgrounds: 13 front-country campgrounds including Apgar, Fish Creek, St. Mary, Two Medicine, Many Glacier, and more
- Campground Highlight: Apgar, Fish Creek, Many Glacier
- Camping Type: No hookups
- Amenities: Potable water (seasonal), vault or flush toilets, limited showers at some sites
- Why It’s Special: Glacial lakes, alpine trails, and the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road
- Things to Do: Grinnell Glacier, Lake McDonald, Avalanche Lake
- Nearby Activities: Whitefish, Flathead Lake
- Kid & Pet Friendly: Pets allowed in developed areas and campgrounds only
- Best Time to Visit: July to September
6. Grand Canyon National Park – Arizona
- Campgrounds: Mather Campground, Trailer Village (full hookups), Desert View, North Rim Campground (seasonal)
- Campground Highlight: Mather Campground and Trailer Village (South Rim)
- Camping Type: Trailer Village offers full hookups; others are dry camping
- Amenities: Flush toilets and showers at Mather; laundry facilities
- Why It’s Special: Vast canyon views and dramatic rock layers tell millions of years of Earth’s history
- Things to Do: Rim trail, Bright Angel hike, mule rides
- Nearby Activities: Route 66 towns, North Rim exploration
- Kid & Pet Friendly: Pets allowed on paved trails; great for families
- Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall
7. Acadia National Park – Maine
- Campgrounds: Blackwoods, Seawall, Schoodic Woods, Duck Harbor (remote), Wildwood Stables (for equestrian use only)
- Campground Highlight: Blackwoods, Seawall, and Schoodic Woods
- Camping Type: No hookups
- Amenities: Drinking water, flush toilets, no showers (available in nearby towns)
- Why It’s Special: The Atlantic coastline meets forested mountains and historic carriage roads
- Things to Do: Cadillac Mountain, Sand Beach, biking carriage roads
- Nearby Activities: Bar Harbor, whale watching
- Kid & Pet Friendly: One of the most pet-friendly national parks
- Best Time to Visit: Summer and early fall
8. Arches National Park – Utah
- Campgrounds: 1 campground – Devils Garden Campground
- Campground Highlight: Devils Garden Campground
- Camping Type: No hookups
- Amenities: Drinking water, flush and pit toilets, picnic tables
- Why It’s Special: Home to over 2,000 natural stone arches
- Things to Do: Delicate Arch, Fiery Furnace, Landscape Arch
- Nearby Activities: Moab adventures, off-roading, rafting
- Kid & Pet Friendly: Pets allowed in campground only
- Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall
9. Rocky Mountain National Park – Colorado
- Campgrounds: Aspenglen, Glacier Basin, Timber Creek, Moraine Park (under restoration), Longs Peak (tent-only)
- Campground Highlight: Glacier Basin, Timber Creek, Longs Peak
- Camping Type: No hookups
- Amenities: Seasonal potable water, restrooms, dump stations at some sites
- Why It’s Special: Majestic peaks, alpine lakes, elk herds, and high-elevation trails
- Things to Do: Trail Ridge Road, Bear Lake, wildlife spotting
- Nearby Activities: Estes Park shopping, fly fishing
- Kid & Pet Friendly: Pets allowed in campgrounds and roads
- Best Time to Visit: Summer through early fall
10. Shenandoah National Park – Virginia
- Campgrounds: Big Meadows, Mathews Arm, Lewis Mountain, Loft Mountain, Dundo Group Campground
- Campground Highlight: Big Meadows, Mathews Arm, Lewis Mountain
- Camping Type: No hookups
- Amenities: Seasonal potable water, restrooms, firewood and ice sales
- Why It’s Special: Rolling Blue Ridge Mountains, Skyline Drive, and waterfalls
- Things to Do: Dark Hollow Falls, Appalachian Trail, birdwatching
- Nearby Activities: Wineries, historic small towns
- Kid & Pet Friendly: Very pet- and kid-friendly
- Best Time to Visit: Fall for foliage, spring for blooms
Final Thoughts on the Best National Parks for Camping
Whether you’re chasing waterfalls, climbing granite peaks, or soaking in the stillness of the desert, these national parks offer something unforgettable for every kind of camper.
From full-hookup RV sites to remote tent-only spots, the options are as diverse as the landscapes themselves. Planning ahead is key—many of these campgrounds fill quickly, especially during peak seasons.
So grab your gear, choose your park, and get ready to experience the kind of magic that only happens when you sleep under the stars in America’s most beautiful wild places. You may also want to check out our list of the top RV resorts.
