Millions of Americans visit national parks instead of flying to far resorts at weekends. National parks, with beautiful natural sceneries, are ideal for camping and hiking. Choosing a proper park for weekends has become more difficult since so many people are planning to camp at the same spot. Here we offer a collection of camping tips and national parks to help you choose the nearest park and make your stay at the park more entertaining.

I. How to plan your national parks camping

When planning to stay at national parks, take into consideration the length of your stay and make sufficient preparations. Details are as follows:

1. The length of stay

In national parks, camping goers are allowed to camp for less than two weeks. You can not extend a reserved departure date until you have checked in at the park. Yet, you can make extensions at the park. A one-day stay at the park is always considered the best length for a picnic, hike or other outdoor recreations. Some parks ask all visitors to leave by a certain time, e.g. 11 pm. If you have registered a campsite, you can stay and throw parties there.

2. Camp on less busy days at a less popular park

The capacity of a national park is limited due to the eco-environment issues; so you are competing with other camping goers at the same park. To avoid these rivalries, make your reservation as early as possible if you decide to go at weekends. Campgrounds at national parks can be full year-round. So make your reservation before you get packed. 

3. Be well prepared and cautious

Be a well prepared camping goer, choose your destination wisely and plan a proper trip. Within your consideration, there should be tents, clothes, bedding, light, first aid and other accessories (cameras, toys, books etc.).

You also need to master some skills of how to deal with emergencies such as equipment failure, food losses and injuries. Practice using a map and compass. After you enter the spot, please keep it clean and litter free. Be cautious when building campfires and make sure you know campfire safety. It is safer to use stoves or ovens and they cause less damage to the environment. Keep in mind water safety and do not eat any unknown plants or fungi.

II. What are the best national parks for camping?

Try to find the best and the nearest national parks in your area:

Alabama:
Little River Canyon

Alaska:
Bering Land Bridge
Denali
Gates of the Arctic
Glacier Bay
Katmai
Kenai Fjords
Kobuk Valley
Lake Clark
Noatak
Wrangell-St. Elias
Yukon-Charley Rivers

American Samoa:
American Samoa

Arizona:
Grand Canyon
Petrified Forest
Saguaro

Arkansas:
Hot Springs

California:
Channel Islands
Death Valley
Joshua Tree
Kings Canyon
Lassen Volcanic
Mojave
Redwood
Sequoia
Yosemite

Colorado:
Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Great Sand Dunes
Mesa Verde
Rocky Mountain
Florida:
Big Cypress
Biscayne
Dry Tortugas
Everglades

Hawaii:
Haleakala
Hawaii Volcanoes

Kentucky:
Mammoth Cave

Maine:
Acadia

Michigan:
Isle Royale

Minnesota:
Voyageurs

Montana:
Glacier

Nevada:
Great Basin

New Mexico:
Carlsbad Caverns

North Carolina
Great Smoky Mountains

North Dakota:
Theodore Roosevelt

Ohio:
Cuyahoga Valley

Oregon:
Crater Lake

South Dakota:
Badlands
Wind Cave

Tennessee:
Great Smoky Mountains

Texas:
Big Bend
Big Thicket
Guadalupe Mountains

Utah:
Arches
Bryce Canyon
Canyonlands
Capitol Reef
Zion

Virginia:
Prince William Forest
Shenandoah

Virgin Islands:
Virgin Islands

Washington:
Mount Rainier
North Cascades
Olympic

Wyoming:
Grand Teton
Yellowstone