TOP 5 NATIONAL PARKS FOR CAMPING OUT WEST

I grew up camping with my family and enjoy being in the great outdoors, hiking, viewing wildlife, and stargazing. I have a National Parks of the West guide on my bookshelf that I peruse often for inspiration. If you’re planning your next adventure, don’t miss these top 5 National Parks for camping out west!

Grand Teton

I loved that everywhere you go in Grand Teton National Park you see the Tetons mountain range. Our first night we stayed at the Gros Venture campground, which does not accept reservations, but there were plenty of sites still available even though we arrived late.  We also stayed at Jenny Lake and woke up early for the breakfast boat tour to Elk Island from the Colter Bay Village Marina, which should not be missed. Camping when you fly to your destination presents a unique challenge, but when one in our party lost their luggage, we found out the hard way that sleeping bags are available for rent at some of the campgrounds.

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is one of the most popular parks in the US and is pretty darn fantastic. I will forever remember a comment by a British woman in the bathroom in one of the campgrounds as we were getting ready. She said that if she was American she’d never leave the US because of all the natural beauty there is to see. It has stuck with me because it reminds me to balance my desire to see the world with taking advantage of seeing my own country. I’ve stayed at Grant Village, Mammoth, Canyon and Bridge Bay campgrounds but Mammoth stands out because the elk graze near the sites. Bridge Bay was also a favorite because of its proximity to Yellowstone Lake. Beware of the bears and do bring bear spray!

Zion National Park

Zion National Park was one of my top Utah parks to visit. We stayed at the South Campground near the entrance to the park.  There are a few cottonwood trees in some sites but it is in the desert.  One of the most famous hikes in the park is The Narrows, where you’re hiking on a riverbed with the canyon walls on both sides of you.  It’s pretty spectacular and worthwhile even if you can only do a section of it.  Walking sticks and shoes for hiking in the water are available for rent at the general store near the visitor’s center.  If you want a challenge hike and you like heights, don’t miss Angel’s Landing Trail which includes the Walter’s Wiggles switchbacks.

Bryce Canyon

Hoodoos, the limestone formations in Bryce Canyon, are majestic and make for a unique, fun hiking experience a Navajo/Queen’s Garden Loop. The 18 mile scenic drive is perfect if you are short on time but want to see all that the park has to offer. The two campgrounds, North and Sunset, are both near the visitor’s center just after the park entrance. The stargazing is spectacular- I even saw the Milky Way!

Grand Canyon

I haven’t been to the Grand Canyon since I was twelve years old, but I’m putting this one of my list for nostalgia’s sake. And it’s the Grand Canyon!  I do remember being amazed by the canyon and my favorite activity was a rafting trip we took on the Colorado River.  I hear that Mather Campground is a nice option and accepts reservations depending on the time of year.  I’m hoping to go back in the near future and tackle hiking Bright Angel Trail to the bottom of the canyon. [Photo: Laura Brown]

If you want more inspiration, also check out a few more national park posts: National Parks & Seashores of the East, 2 National Parks of the West to Visit, and National Historical Parks. Also take a look at the Find Your Park site for stories and more about all the parks nationwide!

Stephanie at A Friend Afar

Stephanie grew up road-tripping across the U.S., but her first flight was to Australia, and she’s been hooked ever since. She lived abroad in Thailand, where she met Meagan, and in Ghana with Peace Corps and has been to over 30 countries on 6 continents. She travels for the adventure, the stories, and nature.