In recent years, many people have taken up camping as a leisure activity, particularly due to the general public's increased interest in eco-friendly activities. According to a 2020 report by campgrounds of America, over 10 million American households camped for the first time in 2020, with RV ownership increasing by 2.6 million in the same year. These nature lovers who enjoy the sights, fresh air, and quiet outdoors often search for new camping grounds where they can hike, swim, or fish. The U.S. is home to many ideal nature parks that meet camper's needs.
One such park is the Acadia National Park in Maine, located on Mount Desert Island in the country's northwest. The park, which is home to 17 million acres of forest, 6,000 lakes and ponds, and 32,000 miles of rivers and streams, makes it ideal for camping and provides campers with a wide range of options such as hiking and fishing. It is home to Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the North Atlantic seaboard, and provides campers with scenic views, including a one-of-a-kind view of the sun rising. The is also a wide variety of wildlife that is unique to this part of the country.
Another is the Shenandoah National Park, situated on the outskirts of Washington, D.C. It has 500 miles of trails and five campgrounds, including an eight-mile hike up Old Rag Mountain typically enjoyed by experienced hikers and amateurs. Additionally, the camp has lush views, a forest, and waterfalls that are home to a variety of wildlife for campers interested in wide life and observing scenic views. The three main seasons for the Shenandoah National Park are spring, summer, and fall.
The Dry Tortugas National Park in Florida is ideal for campers interested in sea life as it is home to the world's largest barrier reefs. The camp provides snorkeling gear for rent and allows campers to explore its reefs and Fort Jefferson. This coastal fortress was built to protect a critical deepwater anchorage in North America. Similarly, the camp is an ideal location for bird-watching and general exploration.
Florida is also home to the Ocala National Forest. This forest, which covers 673 square miles, is located in the state's center and is outfitted with areas designed for camping, including full-service campgrounds, camping tents, and cabins. The Ocala National Forest also provides campers with a wide array of nature-based recreational activities, such as the Yearling Trail for hikers and over 600 lakes, rivers, and springs suitable for fishing.
Also, campers can visit the Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, California. This incredibly popular park has its peak seasons from March to September. However, it's open year-round. Beyond camping, the park, situated on the western slope of the Santa Lucia Mountains, is ideal for hiking and fishing. The camp also provides a scenic view of the Big Sur River. Moreover, the park is only a short distance from Pfeiffer Beach, a beautiful Californian beach.
Campers in the U.S. are spoiled for choice, with hundreds of nature parks and acres of land available to explore. However, each park differs in cost and often has a set of rules created to govern camping activities. Overcrowding is becoming a real problem in once remote camping locations. So it's important to remember "leave no trace behind" theory.
