Overview
Virginia & West Virginia
Camping in Virginia and West Virginia gives you plenty of variety: dense forests, winding rivers, and rolling mountains. Virginia's Shenandoah National Park has decent trails and scenic campsites—good for both rookies and seasoned hikers—while the Blue Ridge Mountains serve up impressive overlooks and ample wildlife. West Virginia ups the ante with Monongahela National Forest's rugged backcountry and the wide-open adventure of the New River Gorge area. You've got your pick of everything from cushy campgrounds with facilities to isolated, primitive sites far from human nonsense. Seasonal perks like brilliant fall foliage and tolerable summer weather make the outdoors even more appealing—assuming you like nature in the first place.
North & South Carolina
Camping in the Carolinas gives you a little bit of everything—from rugged Appalachian peaks to mellow Atlantic beaches. North Carolina serves up gems like Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway, both loaded with decent trails, wildlife viewing, and scenic vistas worth your time. Meanwhile, South Carolina doesn't slack off, offering spots like Hunting Island State Park with its coastal marshes, and Table Rock State Park for mountain forests—solid choices for fishing, kayaking, or just staring at the night sky. Whether you're after a primitive backcountry escape or comfy family setups, you'll find something suitable—assuming you can tolerate other campers and their idea of 'relaxation.'
Canada
Camping in Nova Scotia and Quebec throws you into a solid mix of coastal drama, dense boreal forests, and plenty of rugged terrain. Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton Highlands National Park dishes out cliffside trails, epic coastal views, and remote campsites that keep the crowds tolerable. Over in Quebec, parks like Jacques-Cartier and Mont-Tremblant deliver thick forests, mountain landscapes, and rivers ripe for paddling and fishing. You can opt for cushy campgrounds with full amenities or vanish into the backcountry if solitude is your thing. Both provinces deliver distinct seasons, from mild summers to autumn colors dramatic enough to lure even the most cynical outdoorsman.
Pennsylvania
Camping in Pennsylvania isn't flashy, but it covers the bases—forested hills, quiet lakes, and plenty of trails. Spots like Allegheny National Forest and Bald Eagle State Forest serve up dense woods, decent hiking, and solitude if you know where to look. If you're into scenic overlooks and easy-going trails, Ricketts Glen or the Pocono Mountains offer up something worth your weekend. Options range from full-service campgrounds packed with families to backcountry sites that'll keep humanity at a bearable distance. Seasonal perks include mild summer nights and autumn foliage vivid enough to distract you briefly from your usual cynicism.
New England
Camping in New England means tolerating quaint charm, rocky shores, dense forests, and mountains that barely qualify but still manage decent views. Maine's Acadia National Park tosses out dramatic coastlines and mountains rising right from the ocean—touristy, yes, but worth the hype. Vermont and New Hampshire throw in the Green and White Mountains, respectively, delivering rugged trails and camping spots that range from annoyingly crowded to blissfully remote. Massachusetts and Connecticut offer a tamer experience, with forests, lakes, and low-key state parks suited more for weekend warriors than wilderness snobs. Seasons play a big part here—expect short summers, painfully picturesque fall foliage, and winters cold enough to keep casual campers away, thankfully.
Mountain States
Camping in the Mountain States—think Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Utah—means epic views, serious wilderness, and enough altitude to humble most flatlanders. You've got the heavy hitters: Yellowstone and Grand Teton in Wyoming, Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, and Glacier National Park up in Montana—each serving up eye-candy mountains, rivers, wildlife, and trails challenging enough to weed out the casual tourists. Utah dishes up desert drama in Canyonlands and Arches, with red-rock scenery almost cool enough to forgive the Insta-crowds. Idaho quietly impresses with wilderness areas that don't advertise—Sawtooth Range and Frank Church Wilderness deliver solitude and scenery without the nonsense. Campsites range from tourist-packed national park loops to pristine backcountry hideouts. Weather-wise, brace yourself: summers get hot and crowded, winters brutal, and shoulder seasons short but sweet if you catch them right.
Seneca Rocks, Reva, Shenandoah NP—prime territory for photographers and campers craving authenticity. Rugged peaks, rolling farmland, and misty ridgelines begging for sunrise shots. Pitch camp at Big Bend, cruise Skyline Drive for overlooks, or stay in rustic cabins near Reva. If you're after landscapes with character—mountains, farmland, stormy skies—Virginia and West Virginia deliver the goods.