• December 31, 2024 - Updated with new information since originally published.
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  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Brantley Lake State Park

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© traveller70/stock.adobe.com

2. Caboose Lake Campground

Category: Unique Accommodations
© Caboose Lake Campground

3. Cave Lake State Park

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© tdezenzio/stock.adobe.com

4. Campground by The Lake

Category: Unique Accommodations
© LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS/stock.adobe.com

5. Crater Lake National Park

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Noradoa/stock.adobe.com

6. Big Arm Unit - Flathead Lake State Park, MT

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Alisha/stock.adobe.com

7. Forked Lake Campground

Category: Unique Accommodations
© David Katz/stock.adobe.com

8. Jenny Lake Campground

Category: Unique Accommodations
© Jenny Lake Campground

9. Lake Durant State Campground

Category: Unique Accommodations
© John Aylward/stock.adobe.com

10. Lake George Battleground State Campground

Category: Unique Accommodations
© CE Photography/stock.adobe.com

11. Lake Havasu State Park

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Maria Jeffs/stock.adobe.com

12. Lake Isabella - Kern River KOA

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Lake Isabella / Kern River KOA

13. Monument Lake Campground

Category: Unique Accommodations
© New Africa/stock.adobe.com

14. Pinewoods Lake Campground

Category: Unique Accommodations
© bernardbodo/stock.adobe.com

15. Ross Lake National Recreation Area

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Svetlana/stock.adobe.com

16. Santee Lakes Campground

Category: Unique Accommodations
© Santee Lakes Campground

17. Sheridan Lake Resort

Category: Unique Accommodations
© quasarphotos/stock.adobe.com

18. Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© boonchok/stock.adobe.com

19. Tule Campground at Success Lake

Category: Unique Accommodations
© Soloviova Liudmyla/stock.adobe.com

20. Meadowlands RV Park at Sylvan Lake

Category: Unique Accommodations
© hoshi/stock.adobe.com

21. Tonto National Forest

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Diane Kulpinski/stock.adobe.com

22. Trumbull Lake Campground

Category: Unique Accommodations
© Peter Atkins/stock.adobe.com

23. Umbagog Lake State Park

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© EdNurg/stock.adobe.com

24. Wrights Lake Campground

Category: Unique Accommodations
© Pixel-Shot/stock.adobe.com

25. Lake Manatee State Park

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© shidzuochan/stock.adobe.com

Summary and Frequenly Asked Questions:

Home to numerous rivers, streams, waterways, and lakes, with some of the deepest, broadest, brightest, and most spectacular lakes and reservoirs in the world, the United States is full of amazing places to lakeside camp.

  • National and state parks and recreational areas all over the country have a plethora of campsites that offer all kinds of camping from backcountry and primitive camping to deluxe glamping.
  • Soak up the spectacular natural scenery, swim in crystal clear lakes and rivers and hike in some of the most beautiful areas of the world.
  • Here are some of the best lakeside campgrounds to pitch a tent and sleep under the stars.

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