10 of the most scenic campgrounds in the United States

Whether you’re a cold-weather camper, summer backpacker, or cross-country road tripper, finding the perfect campground can be a challenge, especially if you want amazing scenery and minimal crowds.

A little willingness to go off the beaten path goes a long way in the outdoors, and it can often pay dividends in the form of untouched views and quiet spots from which to take in the wilderness.

While a few of our top spots are in popular national parks, most of these campgrounds offer some solitude, while still being incredibly beautiful. Here are 10 of the most scenic campgrounds in the US.

Set in Glacier Bay National Park, this is a beach-camper’s dream. With views of crystal blue glacial water and the seclusion of a hike-in camping spot, this remote campground is incredible.

Visit Bartlett Cove in the summertime to secure the longest days and the best views, without the threat of icy cold temperatures of accumulating snow and ice.

Located outside Aspen, it's among the country’s best campgrounds for scenery and accessibility. With just 14 sites, it’s quiet year-round, but still manages to provide once-in-a-lifetime views.

Visitors can see aspen groves and the amazing Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. Wildlife watchers can see bighorn sheep, pika, and other alpine critters with the backdrop of the Elk Mountains.

Visit Silver Bell in the late-summer season, or even the early fall, and watch as the aspens turn to gold around your campsite. It’ll be your profile pic for life.

This might be the Pacific Northwest’s most scenic campsite, as the structure rises nearly 40-feet into the sky, with 360-degree views of the Siskiyou Mountains.

Available for rent during the snow-free season, this remote fire lookout offers epic scenery 24/7, whether it’s the views of Bolan Lake, Mount Shasta all the way to the south, or starry night skies.

Reserve Bolan Mountain six-months ahead of time to be sure you get the weekend you want, and be sure to visit in mid-July, when the temps are modest and the threat of rain is at its lowest.

Mark Twain may have summed up the sight of a rosy tropical dawn rising over this stunning volcanic crater best when he said it was “the sublimest spectacle I ever witnessed.”

Visitors aren't just limited to day hiking here. The Haleakala backcountry also offers prime camping, with utterly unique views of sliding sand, jutting rock cliffs, and rich vegetation.

Get a permit from the visitor center and set off on an island adventure to hike-in sites and wilderness cabins. Visit in the late spring/early fall to avoid the highest temperatures and rainy season.

The North Rim Campground allows visitors to sleep on the plateau of land separating Roaring Springs Canyon and Transept Canyon, bordered by the famous North Rim Transept Trail.

Guests lucky enough to snag a spot at this long-coveted campground will be treated to unearthly sunrises as light streams into the canyon in the early mornings, as well as world-class stargazing.

Sites at the North Rim campground book up fast, but the campground is open from the middle of May to late October. Visit in the fall if you’re hoping to beat the summer temps and the biggest crowds.

These islands are a designated National Seashore and as pristine as it gets for scenic camping. The scarce tree-cover provides epic views of miles of ocean from walk-up or drive-up beachfront sites.

The islands are not only home to ever-shifting sands (as barrier islands, they are constantly moving as a result of strong waves and winds), but also a bountiful band of wild horses.

The islands are open year-round, but are best in the late summer and into the fall, when temperatures are still warm enough during the day, but cool enough to be pleasant for the evening.

While slightly busier than some campgrounds on this list, Tuolumne Meadows captures the best of Yosemite National Park’s soaring granite walls and cascading waterfalls without massive crowds.

Enjoy local trails and visit Tenaya Lake for the perfect summer picnic and a chance to swim, canoe, or relax on the beach. At 8600ft, it provides amazing views of the Sierra Nevada subalpine meadows.

In the summer, wildflowers sprout on the banks of the river beneath granite domes for which Yosemite is so well known. Visit in late summer, when waterfalls are flowing and wildflowers are in bloom.

Jutting out of the Pacific between Canada and Seattle, these islands are only accessible by boat or float plane, meaning their scenic beauty is not quite as overrun as most of the Pacific Northwest.

See bald eagles, orca pods, and a nearly untouched shoreline. Friday Harbor's the most popular and accessible part, or make a backcountry kayak trek to Jones Island, an 188-acre Marine State Park.

The best time to visit is during the summer, but April and October are often slightly less-crowded with a chance to see migrating orca pods and enjoy the island’s best hikes in dry weather.

Here, it’s not just the campground that inspires awe, but the road in, too. Dubbed "America’s favorite drive," the Blue Ridge Parkway escorts visitors through some of the southeast’s finest terrain.

Stay close to Great Smoky Mountains National Park without staying directly in crowded park campgrounds. There's also access to dozens of trails through some of the region’s most beautiful wilderness.

At just under 5000ft, this campground offers cooler temperatures in the hot summer months and a view of surrounding Appalachian territory. Visit in early summer to beat the heaviest crowds.

The iconic, yet rarely-visited Caladesi Island State Park is a bonafide wonderland for camper’s seeking the perfect combination of epic views, relaxing beach time, and winding hiking trails.

It's easy to escape the crowds at this boat-only destination. It's one of the only untouched regions on the Gulf Coast, with beach-front trails, wildlife watching, and kayaking and swimming.

The crystal clear ocean and abundant natural flora and fauna make this a top choice. Visit in April or May, before the southern summer heat kicks in, and well before peak hurricane season.