By: Fiona Moriarty, Hipmunk
June is National Camping Month, and there is no better time to tell stories around the campfire, revel in stargazing, and get up with the sunrise. While some of these spots are not the easiest to get to, we guarantee these destinations will not disappoint. So pack up your tent and your sleeping bag, and head over to one (or all) of our favorite camping spots in the States.
1. Yosemite, CA
With 13 campgrounds in addition to backcountry camping, Yosemite National Park is home to black bears, Half Dome (the park's most recognizable rock formation), Yosemite Falls, and the Merced River. There are plenty of hiking and exploring opportunities, and nearly 95 percent of the park is Congressionally designated wilderness, meaning that there is nothing man-made in those areas; no roads, structures or electricity. Campsite reservations are highly recommended.
With a high-alpine campground, a rainforest campsite, a riverside campsite near Sol Duc Falls, and several beach campsites, the Olympic National Park has three prominent ecosystems -- coastal, lowland forest, and mountain. The scenic LaPush beaches and shore are inhabited by seals, whales, eagles, and salmon. The Deer Park campground lacks infrastructure and can be windy and chilly, but the view of the Salish Sea from the top of the ridge and the astonishing sunrises and sunsets make it worth the sacrifice, if only for a night. The Hoh campground puts you right in the middle of the most famous rainforest in America, thick with heavy moss, and is inhabited by elk, deer, and the occasional bobcat.
3. Moab, Utah
Arches National Park has the world's highest concentration of natural red stone arches -- over 2,000 of them -- making the surrounding scenery beautifully surreal. There is one main campground, The Devil's Garden, and reservations are a must. You can explore on your own or with the assistance of park rangers who will take you on unmarked trails to the Fiery Furnace.
The Adirondack Park has thousands of campsites and hundreds of campgrounds within its six-million-acre borders. For those seeking a bit more privacy, check out the private camping islands available on the Adirondack lakes. In addition to hiking one of the 46 Adirondack High Peaks, campers also have the option of kayaking or canoeing on one of the region's lakes, including Lake Placid and Lake George.