USA TODAY 10Best
10 stunning state parks that are perfect for camping and RVing
Best State Park for RVing/Camping (2023)
The United States is home to thousands of state park units, attracting more than 800 million annual visitors. As more and more travelers seek the open road and open spaces, those numbers have continued to grow. Many of these parks cater to tent campers and RV travelers, with campgrounds, full hookups and other amenities available.
To find the best, an expert panel and 10Best editors selected their top picks, then our readers voted for their favorites. Here are the 10 best U.S. state parks for camping and RVing.
- Curt Gowdy State Park - Cheyenne, Wyoming
- Lost Dutchman State Park - Apache Junction, Arizona
- Red Rock Canyon State Park - Cantil, California
- Palisades State Park - Garretson, South Dakota
- Cape Disappointment State Park - Ilwaco, Washington
- Tishomingo State Park - Tishomingo, Mississippi
- Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park - Middle Brook, Missouri
- Cheaha State Park - Delta, Alabama
- Custer State Park - Custer, South Dakota
- Petit Jean State Park - Morrilton, Arkansas
Photo courtesy of Courtesy Wyoming State Parks
No. 10:
Expert Chez Chesak says, “Located just 25 minutes west of downtown Cheyenne, this natural gem is nestled in the pine-covered foothills of the Rocky Mountains." Numerous outdoor adventures can be enjoyed in the park, including an archery range, mountain biking, fishing, boating, hiking, horseback riding, paddleboarding and more. Tent sites and back-in and pull-through RV sites are available, with an additional fee for electric hookups.
Photo courtesy of Arizona State Parks and Trails
No. 9:
Lost Dutchman State Park is located in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona, about 40 miles east of Phoenix. Both RV and tent camping are available, with 68 sites providing water and electric hookups; restrooms and showers are located nearby. Hiking, mountain biking and year-round wildlife viewing opportunities keep campers entertained.
Photo courtesy of Lori Wear
No. 8:
Red Rock Canyon State Park wows visitors with its gorgeous rock formations, desert cliffs and buttes. It lies where the Sierra Nevada mountains converge with the El Paso range. Camping is available on a first-come, first-served basis on primitive sites in the Ricardo Campground.
Photo courtesy of Allie
No. 7:
Situated in Garretson, Palisades State Park lies in one of the most unique and lovely areas of South Dakota. Split Rock Creek runs through the park, and its quartzite formations and scenic overlooks attract many visitors. Cabins, as well as electric and non-electric campsites, are available.
Photo courtesy of Aaron Webster
No. 6:
The Pacific Ocean meets the Columbia River at this Washington state park. Explore lighthouses, military bunkers and natural habitats within the park (beaches, old-growth forest, freshwater lakes and saltwater marshes). The campground has more than 100 standard campsites, 50 full hookup sites and 18 partial hookup sites, as well as a dump station, restrooms and showers.
Photo courtesy of Belinda Orrick
No. 5:
Campers looking for a state park full of history and scenic beauty should consider visiting Tishomingo. The park is located directly off the famous Natchez Trace Parkway and in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. RV sites are paved and include water and electric hookups, picnic tables and grills, as well as direct access to Haynes Lake. Primitive camping can be enjoyed in two other camping areas. Some of the numerous park activities and attractions include hiking trails, disc golf courses, playgrounds, a volleyball court, a swimming pool, canoeing, fishing and rock climbing.
Photo courtesy of Missouri Department of Natural Resources
No. 4:
Campers can choose between walk-in, basic, electric or sewer/electric/water sites at the Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park campground. Stock up on essentials with ease at the campground store, and enjoy other amenities that include showers, restrooms, laundry facilities and a playground.
Photo courtesy of Alabama State Parks
No. 3:
Cheaha State Park is situated at the southernmost tip of the Appalachian mountain chain in Delta, Alabama. It’s a unique spot with its ancient trees and granite boulders, surrounded by the Talladega National Forest and the Cheaha Wilderness. More than 70 campsites are offered, accommodating RVs and tents.
Photo courtesy of Custer State Park
No. 2:
Located in the rugged Black Hills of South Dakota, Custer State Park protects 71,000 acres of terrain and a herd of some 1,400 bison – one of the largest publicly owned herds on the planet – who are known to stop traffic along the park's Wildlife Loop Road from time to time. The park has nine campgrounds to choose from, including the popular Sylvan Lake Campground. Many sites include electric hookups, with dump stations nearby.
Photo courtesy of Peera_Sathawirawong // Getty Images
No. 1:
The 3,471-acre Petit Jean State Park is situated atop Petit Jean Mountain next to the Arkansas River. Accommodations in the scenic park include a lodge, cabins, yurts and park campsites. Nearby hiking trails are plentiful, and campers can walk to the majestic Cedar Falls and many other breathtaking nature spots. Petit Jean State Park is also a certified Trail of Tears National Historic Trail Site.
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Andrea Richards
Andrea Richards is a Los Angeles and North... Read More
Andrea Richards is a Los Angeles and North Carolina based writer and the author of five books, including The 500 Hidden Secrets of Los Angeles. Find out more at andrearichardsla.com.
Andrea Richards
Andrea Richards is a Los Angeles and North Carolina based writer and the author of five books, including The 500 Hidden Secrets of Los Angeles. Find out more at andrearichardsla.com.
Chelle Koster Walton
Chelle Koster Walton — the Local Expert for... Read More
Chelle Koster Walton — the Local Expert for Naples, Florida and the Caribbean — has been covering the destination for 30 years. Her top-selling Sarasota, Sanibel Island, and Naples guidebook (Countryman Press) is in its sixth edition. She was contributing editor for Caribbean Travel & Life for 12 years and has written guidebooks on the Bahamas. A veteran travel writer, Chelle has published thousands of articles for Miami Herald, USA TODAY, Latitudes; has written/contributed to a dozen guidebooks, and produces travel shows for the local PBS station.
Chelle Koster Walton
Chelle Koster Walton — the Local Expert for Naples, Florida and the Caribbean — has been covering the destination for 30 years. Her top-selling Sarasota, Sanibel Island, and Naples guidebook (Countryman Press) is in its sixth edition. She was contributing editor for Caribbean Travel & Life for 12 years and has written guidebooks on the Bahamas. A veteran travel writer, Chelle has published thousands of articles for Miami Herald, USA TODAY, Latitudes; has written/contributed to a dozen guidebooks, and produces travel shows for the local PBS station.
Chez Chesak
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor... Read More
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, an adventure travel writer, board member of the Society of American Travel Writers and 22-year veteran of the outdoor and travel industries. While he’s lived all over the U.S. and traveled to more than 30 countries, he has the most fun when he’s exploring with his wife Sally and two daughters. An avid outdoors person, he’s happiest on a trail, on skis, or nestled into a sleeping bag. Learn more about him and his work at www.chezconnects.com.
Chez Chesak
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, an adventure travel writer, board member of the Society of American Travel Writers and 22-year veteran of the outdoor and travel industries. While he’s lived all over the U.S. and traveled to more than 30 countries, he has the most fun when he’s exploring with his wife Sally and two daughters. An avid outdoors person, he’s happiest on a trail, on skis, or nestled into a sleeping bag. Learn more about him and his work at www.chezconnects.com.
Dave Stamboulis
Dave Stamboulis is a travel writer/photographer... Read More
Dave Stamboulis is a travel writer/photographer based in Bangkok. Born in Athens, Greece and growing up in the U.S., Dave first discovered Bangkok while on a 45,000-kilometer bicycle trip and moved there for good in 2005. Dave's photos appear in publications around the world. He's the author of Odysseus' Last Stand, which received the Silver Medal for Travel Book of the Year from the Society of American Travel Writers. In addition to updating the Fodor's Guidebook to Thailand, he is the author of 500 Hidden Secrets to Bangkok, and his travel stories and photography appear in publications around the globe.
Dave Stamboulis
Dave Stamboulis is a travel writer/photographer based in Bangkok. Born in Athens, Greece and growing up in the U.S., Dave first discovered Bangkok while on a 45,000-kilometer bicycle trip and moved there for good in 2005. Dave's photos appear in publications around the world. He's the author of Odysseus' Last Stand, which received the Silver Medal for Travel Book of the Year from the Society of American Travel Writers. In addition to updating the Fodor's Guidebook to Thailand, he is the author of 500 Hidden Secrets to Bangkok, and his travel stories and photography appear in publications around the globe.
Kim Foley MacKinnon
Kim Foley MacKinnon is an award-winning editor,... Read More
Kim Foley MacKinnon is an award-winning editor, author and journalist based in Boston, MA. She is the executive editor of Girl Camper Magazine and is currently serving as the president of SATW (Society of American Travel Writers). There is nothing she loves more than a road trip and discovering offbeat places to eat. She owns a 1981 13-foot Scamp travel trailer, a fiberglass "egg," which serves as her tiny home on the road. Kim has also authored many guidebooks, with her most recent being "100 Things to Do on Cape Cod & the Islands Before You Die."
Kim Foley MacKinnon
Kim Foley MacKinnon is an award-winning editor, author and journalist based in Boston, MA. She is the executive editor of Girl Camper Magazine and is currently serving as the president of SATW (Society of American Travel Writers). There is nothing she loves more than a road trip and discovering offbeat places to eat. She owns a 1981 13-foot Scamp travel trailer, a fiberglass "egg," which serves as her tiny home on the road. Kim has also authored many guidebooks, with her most recent being "100 Things to Do on Cape Cod & the Islands Before You Die."
Meg St-Esprit
Meg St-Esprit is a journalist based in Pittsburgh... Read More
Meg St-Esprit is a journalist based in Pittsburgh who covers family travel, lifestyle, education, and parenting. With their four kids in tow, she and her husband love to travel anywhere and everywhere — but have a soft spot for camping and outdoor adventures. In fact, her kids are well on their way to achieving their goal of visiting all 124 state parks in Pennsylvania. Meg believes travel doesn’t need to be luxurious or costly to be valuable, and aims to share that with her audience. Meg’s work has appeared in publications such as The New York Times, Thrillist, The Washington Post, Fodor’s, Yahoo, Good Housekeeping, Romper, and more. Follow Meg on Instagram and Twitter at @megstesprit or check out her work on https://megstesprit.com/
Meg St-Esprit
Meg St-Esprit is a journalist based in Pittsburgh who covers family travel, lifestyle, education, and parenting. With their four kids in tow, she and her husband love to travel anywhere and everywhere — but have a soft spot for camping and outdoor adventures. In fact, her kids are well on their way to achieving their goal of visiting all 124 state parks in Pennsylvania. Meg believes travel doesn’t need to be luxurious or costly to be valuable, and aims to share that with her audience. Meg’s work has appeared in publications such as The New York Times, Thrillist, The Washington Post, Fodor’s, Yahoo, Good Housekeeping, Romper, and more. Follow Meg on Instagram and Twitter at @megstesprit or check out her work on https://megstesprit.com/
Nicky Omohundro
Nicky Omohundro is the founder and editor of Read More
Nicky Omohundro is the founder and editor of LittleFamilyAdventure.com, the popular family travel & lifestyle website that inspires families to leave no child left inside. Since 2013 LFA has been providing inspiration to get families outdoors, eat well, and travel everywhere from their own backyard to around the world. Always up for a family adventure, she has traveled to 37 states and 6 countries to zip-line through a Costa Rican rainforest, see Finland’s Northern Lights, and go camping throughout the US. Nicky is the co-founder of Tourism WorX a travel consultancy group. Connect with her Twitter and Instagram.
Nicky Omohundro
Nicky Omohundro is the founder and editor of LittleFamilyAdventure.com, the popular family travel & lifestyle website that inspires families to leave no child left inside. Since 2013 LFA has been providing inspiration to get families outdoors, eat well, and travel everywhere from their own backyard to around the world. Always up for a family adventure, she has traveled to 37 states and 6 countries to zip-line through a Costa Rican rainforest, see Finland’s Northern Lights, and go camping throughout the US. Nicky is the co-founder of Tourism WorX a travel consultancy group. Connect with her Twitter and Instagram.
Catherine Smith
Catherine Smith, Expert and Award Eligibility... Read More
Catherine Smith, Expert and Award Eligibility Coordinator for the USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, has a special interest in health and wellness, family travel, women's solo travel and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Catherine is the founder of Her Bags Were Packed where she focuses on helping women release emotional baggage through solo travel and self-discovery.
Catherine Smith
Catherine Smith, Expert and Award Eligibility Coordinator for the USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, has a special interest in health and wellness, family travel, women's solo travel and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Catherine is the founder of Her Bags Were Packed where she focuses on helping women release emotional baggage through solo travel and self-discovery.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
