State Park Camping Ideas

Anastasia State Park in St. Augustine, Florida features over 1,600 beautiful acres of ancient sand dunes, maritime hammocks, tidal marshes, and unspoiled beaches that make the grounds a captivating place for a camping experience out in an amazing expanse of nature.

The wildlife here seem to love the park just as much as visitors do, with numerous wading birds along Salt Run. Guests can also see wildlife at the beach from either a kayak or a canoe, as well as along the Ancient Dunes Nature Trail. Nearly 140 campsites can be found only a short walk from the beach.

300 Anastasia Park Rd, St. Augustine, FL 32080, Phone: 904-461-2033

Located in West Virginia, near the town of Davis, Blackwater Falls State Park gets its name for the Blackwater River’s falls, where amber-hued waters cascade down five stories before twisting and tumbling through a gorge measuring eight miles in length.

In addition to camping, visitors in Blackwater Falls State Park can also experience several other outdoor recreation activities, such as fishing, biking, hiking, and more. There are sixty-five trailer and tent campsites in total at the park, with thirty campsites including electric hookups. The campground also has a bathhouse with showers, a dumping station, and a laundromat.

1584 Blackwater Lodge Rd, Davis, WV 26260, Phone: 304-259-5216

The Blue Bell Campground is located within Custer State Park in the city of Custer, South Dakota.

The campground is a great destination to unwind and relax after a busy day of exploration. With just thirty campsites for both RVs and tents, this state park campground offers a quieter camping experience. In addition to the campsites, Blue Bell Campground also offers a bathhouse, trail rides at the Blue Bell Stables, and ranger programs held in the amphitheater. There is plenty more to do in Custer State Park than just camping, including scenic drives, hiking trails, and much more.

Lame Johhny Rd, Custer, SD 57730, Phone: 605-255-4515

Romantic Camping Ideas

Bullards Beach State Park is a family-oriented, large park just two miles outside of Bandon, oregon.

The park’s campground is protected from strong ocean breezes, situated among the shore pines. There are three different loops of sites for camping, each equipped with electric and water hookups. Bullards Beach State Park also offers 13 Yurts, with six allowing pets. For equestrian campers, the horse camp offers access to the dunes and beach. The biker/hiker camp provides storage lockers and solar-powered USB charging ports. The park itself is known for its excellent crabbing and fishing opportunities along the Coquille River.

Bullards Beach Rd, Bandon, OR 97411, Phone: 541-347-2209

Cherry Creek State Park, located in Aurora, Colorado, is Denver’s spacious and natural backyard playground with rolling hills and prairies.

The campground here features both basic tent sites and full hookup, deluxe campsites with twenty, thirty, and fifty-amp service. All of the sites require campers to make a reservation. Other amenities at the campground include a seasonal dump station, laundry facilities, and shower facilities. Along with camping, Cherry Creek State Park offers plenty of activities for visitors, such as picnicking, camping, and more unique and difficult to find activities, like a family shooting range, horseback riding, and model airplane flying.

4201 South Parker Rd, Aurora, CO, 80014, Phone: 303-693-3957

Visitors are welcomed by rippling, rust-colored sand arcs upon entering the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park in Kanab, Utah. These arcs are contrasted by steep red cliffs, pinion pines and juniper trees, and blue skies, making the park an amazing destination for scenic drives, photography, camping, or even just “playing in the sand.” Coral Pink Sand Dunes has a campground with twenty-two campsites within a gorgeous desert environment of junipers and surrounded by the park’s coral pink sand. The sand dune field of the Colorado Plateau is one geological feature visitors should make sure not to miss during their stay.

12500 Sand Dune Rd, Kanab, UT 84741, Phone: 435-648-2800

Family Camping Ideas

Davis Mountains State Park is a historic and beautiful park located up in the mountain terrain of Fort Davis in West Texas. Visitors can learn about the park’s history and the nearby frontier fort, explore miles of hiking trails, and camp out beneath the starry night sky among several other outdoor recreation activities.

The park provides a remote and unique destination for all kinds of adventures, whether it’s geocaching, stargazing, camping, scenic drives to take in the mountain scenery, horseback riding, mountain biking, backpacking, hiking, or simply enjoying nature. Accommodations include campsites and the 39-room historic Indian Lodge.

TX-118, Fort Davis, TX 79734, Phone: 432-426-3337, Video

Known as the first state beach in California, Doheny State Beach in Dana Point is one of the state’s most popular state beaches, attracting nearly one million people every year.

At the southern end are the campgrounds, including campsites just steps from the sandy beach. At Doheny State Beach’s north end are volleyball courts, picnic facilities, a 5-acre lawn, and a surfing beach. There is also a visitor center featuring several aquariums and tide pools at the state beach, as well as opportunities for surf fishing. Other activities include hiking trails, bike trails, fishing, swimming, wildlife viewing, and geocaching.

25300 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point, CA 92629, Phone: 949-496-6171

Formerly the primary military fort of the Harbor Defense System between the Civil War era through World War II, Fort Stevens State Park is now an approximately 4,300-acre state park that offers opportunities for camping and many other recreational adventures.

The historical military fort, a historic shipwreck, wildlife viewing, hiking and biking trails, beach combing, camping, a picnic area, boating, and lakes for swimming, canoeing, and fishing all help make Fort Stevens State Park a truly diverse park. The campground features six tent sites, eleven deluxe cabins, fifteen yurts, 302 electric campsites with water, and 174 full hookup campsites.

100 Peter Iredale Rd, Hammond, OR 97121, Phone: 503-861-3170