Tourexpi
Best places to camp
The Dyrt, the app to get the best campsites, built by the largest RVing and camping community in the U.S., has announced the 2026 Best Places to Camp: National Park Neighbors Presented by Girl Camper, a nationwide community that connects women through camping, outdoor experiences and events.
Camping near national parks offers a fantastic way to experience the great outdoors, but many national parks are highly sought-after and have limited availability — some being fully reserved many months or a year ahead of time. Staying at nearby campgrounds can provide an excellent, easier-to-book alternative for outdoor enthusiasts to visit an iconic park by day, and still have a fantastic setting to return to.
"The national parks in the United States are absolutely amazing, but it can be extremely difficult to reserve a campsite at many of them," says Kevin Long, CEO of The Dyrt. "Campers are online every year waiting for the moment reservations open up like they're the hottest concert tickets in town. Of course, wildlife and landscapes don't observe national park boundaries, and the areas just outside them are often gems in their own right, as well as a solid home base for day trips to the park."
Best Places to Camp: National Park Neighbors explores some of the best nearby campgrounds that not only offer beautiful settings but also serve as an ideal base for days of wonder. Whether you're seeking adventure or tranquility, these spots promise to enhance your camping experience while checking off that national parks bucket list.
The Dyrt's 2026 Best Places to Camp: National Park Neighbors Presented by Girl Camper
- Horsethief Campground — Utah (Arches and Canyonlands national parks)
- Big Creek Campground — Montana (Glacier National Park)
- Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground — Virginia (Shenandoah National Park)
- Smuggler's Den Campground — Maine (Acadia National Park)
- East Portal Campground — Colorado (Rocky Mountain National Park)
- Maverick Ranch RV Park — Texas (Big Bend National Park)
- Salt Creek Recreation Area — Washington (Olympic National Park)
- Jacob Lake Campground — Arizona (Grand Canyon National Park)
- Atherton Creek Campground — Wyoming (Grand Teton National Park)
- Mono Hot Springs — California (Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia national parks)
Each of these campgrounds is highly rated by The Dyrt Community and within a short drive of one of America's beautiful national parks. They provide an excellent alternative to the often fully booked campgrounds located within national parks, but also offer unique experiences beyond what's available in the park.
Now, if you really have your heart set on securing a campsite at a sold-out campground, The Dyrt Alerts scans the campgrounds and sends you a text when a site you want opens up. This feature is included with The Dyrt PRO membership.
Best Places to Camp: National Park Neighbors is presented by Girl Camper, which has built a rapidly growing national network through hundreds of events each year, from casual campground meetups to multi-day camping experiences. With a new membership model designed to support and connect women getting outside, the community is focused on making camping more approachable, accessible and social, regardless of experience level.
See photos and read all about the honorees from the Best Places to Camp: National Park Neighbors Presented by Girl Camper. Keep an eye out in the coming weeks and months for more Best Places to Camp awards for those looking for a very specific, once-in-a-lifetime camping adventure.
Picture Credit: © The Dyrt
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