Best camping in the southwest of the USA: 8 amazing campgrounds

Camping in the southwest of the USA is an incredible experience. What are the best campgrounds? These are my favorites.

The most beautiful campgrounds in Southwest USA

Southwest USA is best known for its impressive nature and beautiful national parks. It is, therefore, a fantastic experience to stay the night in nature during a West Coast USA road trip! I’ve been on several different camping trips in Arizona, California, and Utah. In this article, I’ll share my favorite campgrounds.

Best camping in Arizona

Arizona is the state of the Grand Canyon! In addition, there is much more to see and it is a great state for camping. These are the most beautiful campgrounds in Arizona.

Mather Campground, Grand Canyon National Park

Mather Campground in Grand Canyon National Park is huge (I believe it has over 400 sites), but when you pitch your tent, it feels like a cozy and small-scale campground. It’s only a 20-minute walk to the south rim of the Grand Canyon. Or you can just take the shuttle bus, it has a stop right in front of the entrance of the campground. The sites are really spacious and you’ll camp in the forest. You might even have some elk visiting you.

• Open All year round. Making a reservation is highly recommended between March and November.
• Reservations You can make a reservation 6 months in advance on this website.
• Suitable for Tent camping and RVs.
• Fee $18 per night.

North Rim Campground, Grand Canyon National Park

Although most people only visit the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, the North Rim is also highly recommended. The views are just as beautiful and it is much quieter. The North Rim Campground is located on the rim of the Grand Canyon. If you’re lucky, you can even see the Grand Canyon from your tent!

• Open May 15 through October 15. Reservations are recommended.
• Reservations You can make a reservation 6 months in advance on this website.
• Suitable for Tent camping and RVs.
• Fee $18 per night.

Wahweap Campground, Page

Wahweap Campground is located right next to Lake Powell in Page. In the area, you can also visit the beautiful Horseshoe bend and Antelope Canyon. You’re camping in the desert, so it can get really hot during the summer months. Luckily, Lake Powell is only a short walk away and a great place for a refreshing swim. You can also rent a boat to explore the lake.

However, it’s fantastic camping in Southwest USA, with scenic views from every campsite. If you’re lucky, you might be able to see the milky way at night. The campground offers free wifi for guests.

• Open All year round.
• Reservations Wahweap Campground reservations can be done on this website.
• Suitable for Tent camping and RVs.
• Fee from $30.

The most beautiful campgrounds in Utah

The state of Utah has no less than five national parks, and each of them is extraordinarily beautiful. These are the best places to camp in Utah.

Fruita Campground, Capitol Reef National Park

Of all the places I went camping in Southwest USA, the Fruita Campground in Capitol Reef National Park is probably my favorite. If you’re looking for the best camping in the United States, make sure to check out this campground.

Fruita campground is situated in a green valley, surrounded by red mountains. You will also find many orchards in the valley, and you can pick fruit for free (as much as you can eat). In the morning and the afternoon you’ll see deer passing your tent. From the campground, you can also hike the awesome Fremont River Trail. Highly recommended!

• Open All year round.
• Reservations Reservations are available when you’re staying between March 1st and October 31st, you can make a reservation on this website. The rest of the year it’s a first come, first serve campground.
• Suitable for Tent camping and RVs.
• Fee $25 per night.

Sunset Campground, Bryce Canyon National Park

Sunset Campground is the place to be if you’d like to stay close to the famous amphitheater of Bryce Canyon National Park. It’s the perfect place to start this beautiful hike in Bryce Canyon.

This campground is pretty similar to Mather Campground, but it’s even closer to the canyon, just a 10-minute walk. The sites are very spacious and you are in the middle of a forest. The elevation of Bryce Canyon is 2.278 meters (11.000 feet), so it can get really chilly at night. Make sure to bring a warm sleeping bag.

• Open Mid-April to late October. This changes seasonally, so check the website before you go.
• Reservations Sites can be reserved 6 months in advance. Reservations can be made through this website. Reservations can only be made for stays between mid-May and mid-October. Before and after that, it’s first come, first serve.
• Suitable for Tent camping and RVs.
• Fee $20 for tents and $30 for RVs.

The most beautiful campgrounds in California

The state of California is incredibly diverse. From endless deserts to dark forests. And there are more than enough beautiful places to pitch your tent or park your RV! These are the best places to camp in California.

North Pines Campground, Yosemite National Park

The best place to stay for exploring Yosemite National Park is Yosemite Valley. In Yosemite Valley, there are three huge campgrounds: Upper Pines, Lower Pines en North Pines. North Pines is a little smaller than the others and is located on the other side of the Merced River, which makes it feel a little quieter.

Left and right, you will see the large granite walls, so impressive! In this bear box, you have to store everything with a scent, not only your food but also your toiletries. Right next to the campgrounds is a shuttle bus stop, so you can leave your car at the campground because the shuttle bus can take you anywhere in the park.

• Open Mid-April to mid-September. Please note that opening hours change every year, so always check the official website for the most up-to-date information.
• Reservations are Strongly recommended. You can make a reservation four to five months in advance and they are sold out in minutes. Check out your dates on the official website. More information about Yosemite and campgrounds reservations can be found in this article: Tips for visiting Yosemite National Park.
• Suitable for Tent camping and RVs.
• Fee from $8 (1 person, tent) to $36 (RV).

Jumbo Rocks Campground, Joshua Tree National Park

At the Jumbo Rocks Campground in Joshua Tree National Park, it feels like you’re in a different world. It’s one of the most beautiful campgrounds in the US!

The campsites are large and you don’t camp right next to your neighbors, especially not at the tent sites. So you have a lot of privacy.

The campground is called Jumbo Rocks for a reason since is covered with huge rocks From the campground, it’s only a short walk to the famous rock formation Skull Rock. This is one of the best campgrounds if you like stargazing. It’s really dark and you have a good chance of seeing the milky way.

• Open All-year-round (it can get really hot during summer months).
• Reservations are required between late August and early June and can be made through this website. You can make a reservation 6 months in advance. In the other months, it’s first come, first serve.
• Suitable for Tent camping and RVs.
• Fee $20
• Extra info There’s no running water at the Jumbo Rocks Campground, so bring your own water. There are pit toilets.

Kirk Creek Campground, Big Sur

Kirk Creek Campground is a hidden gem in this list of the most beautiful campgrounds in Southwest USA. It’s located in Big Sur, right next to US Highway 1. It has only 32 sites and it’s the smallest campground on this list. It is located on a cliff overlooking the ocean. You can hike down to a secluded beach, it’s a beautiful spot.

Unfortunately, it was very foggy when I stayed at this campground, so I wasn’t able to see it in all its glory. But if it’s a clear day, you’ll have a great view of the ocean. I really want to go back to California, just to stay in this campground.

• Open All year round.
• Reservations You can make a reservation 6 months in advance on this website. There are also some first come first serve sites.
• Suitable for Tent camping and RVs.
• Fee $35.
• Extra info There’s no running water at the Kirk Creek Campground, so bring your own water. There are pit toilets.

Map: best camping in the southwest

A map of the most beautiful campgrounds in Southwest USA.

This is an image of the map. Click here to view the interactive map where you can zoom in and out.

What to pack for a Southwest USA camping trip?

If you plan to go camping in the southwest, you will need a few things. . This is my packing list for tent camping in Southwest USA:

• A tent. I myself have a Big Agnes Tiger Wall that I can also easily take with me when I go backpacking. They are quite pricey, but incredibly light and they last a long time.
• A sleeping pad (and possibly a pump).
• A warm sleeping bag. Even in summer, it can get quite cold in some places.
• A cooler. You can buy bags with ice cubes in supermarkets and gas stations to keep your food and drinks cool.
• Logs for making a campfire.
• Outdoor cooking set.
• A small tub for washing dishes.
• A camping chair is often a lot more comfortable than the benches on the campsites.

Book your southwest USA trip

Would you like to go camping in Southwest USA? Book your trip now!

✈️ Plane tickets: Check out WayAway to find the best deals.

🚘Transportation: Book a rental car through Rental Cars or Discover Cars.

🛏️Accommodation: Campgrounds in the national parks are best booked through Recreation.gov. You can also find private campsites via KOA (with more luxurious facilities). Would you like to sleep in a hotel from time to time during your trip? Book your stay via Booking.com.

🎡Tours and activities: Check Get Your Guide for interesting guided tours and fun activities.

💊Travel insurance: Having good travel insurance gives you peace of mind. Check Insubuy for the best travel insurance that fits your needs.

Read more about traveling in Southwest USA

These are some fun travel guides to plan your trip.

The Rough Guide to Southwest USA (Travel Guide with Free eBook)

Fodor’s Essential Southwest: The Best of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah

I did a lot of camping in the United States and spent over a year traveling in the USA. That’s why you can read a lot traveling in the United States on this website. You might like to read these articles as well:

• 10 fun Route 66 attractions in California and Arizona
• The best unknown places to visit in the USA
• 35 Best Books on National Parks + other gift ideas

And sign up for my newsletter for fun travel stories and tips for the most beautiful destinations.

This article was published in October 2017. Latest update with new tips: December 2022.

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