National Park Week: Campers are headed to these trending spots

Camp booking website Campspot says the Greenbrier Campground near the Great Smoky Mountains is No. 3 on its list of trending spots to camp during National Parks Week. CONTRIBUTED/CAMPSPOT

Camp booking website Campspot says the Greenbrier Campground near the Great Smoky Mountains is No. 3 on its list of trending spots to camp during National Parks Week. CONTRIBUTED/CAMPSPOT
Lifestyles
By
April 20, 2024
X

There are more than 400 national park sites throughout the U.S., and booking website Campspot has highlighted several that are trending as spring moves on and National Parks Week is celebrated.

According to Campspot, Yellowstone National Park is the park with the most camping sites booked nearby. It is located mainly in Wyoming and boasts 2.2 million acres as well as sitting on a dormant volcano. Campers like Yellowstone for its diverse wilderness and unique geothermal features, Campspot reports.

ExploreZoo Blooms in Cincinnati features 100,000 tulips and other plants

To camp near Yellowstone, Campspot recommends RedRock RV Park in Island Park, Idaho. It’s a 22-mile drive to Yellowstone’s west side. RedRock RV Park has a general store, clubhouse, dog park and more amenities with a view of Yellowstone.

Let’s take a look at the other trending national parks popular for camping. National Park Week is April 20-28 this year, and all entrance fees are waived at national parks on April 20.

Acadia National Park

Located along the “rugged coast” of Maine, Acadia National Park is No. 2 on Campspot’s list and is touted for its rocky shorelines, giant granite peaks and green forests. Hiking the Cadillac Mountain is a big deal at Acadia — it has the highest point on the east coast. Camping near Acadia includes favorite book spots Hadley’s Point Campground (a popular camping site for couples) and Wild Acadia Camping Resort, which has two 300-foot waterslides, a climbing wall and more, making it pleasant for families with children.

ExploreTECH ADVICE: Settings to use to increase privacy online

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Smokies are the third-most popular booking spot for campers with several places for pitching tents and parking campers. The park straddles the border of Tennessee and North Carolina and gets more than 12 million visitors annually. It boasts more than 800 miles of hiking trails with waterfalls and lots of viewpoints. Beware: It’s also home to black bears, elk and other animals. One of the popular camping spots near the Smokies is Greenbrier, which is less that 1 mile from an entrance to the national park. It has won awards for being a top campground and especially for its fishing opportunities. “The park offers the best swimming hole in the Smokies at the famous Flint Rock, complete with a private beach and trout fishing on the river banks,” Campspot reports.

Campspot recommends Indian Flat RV Park, which has sites for RVs, tents and cabins, for those camping near Yosemite. CONTRIBUTED.CAMPSOT

icon to expand image

Yosemite National Park

At No. 4 on Campspot’s list is Yosemite National Park, which has the famous landmark El Capitan. Yosemite is in California, near the city of Mariposa, and has more than 800 miles of trails. There are many great viewpoints there, too. For camping, Campspot recommends Indian Flat RV Park, which has sites for RVs, tents and cabins.

Grand Teton National Park

In northwestern Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park is 10 miles from Yellowstone, and is connected to it. It’s recognized for its grand views of peaks of the Teton Range. Campers go there for hiking but also for nature photography. Campspot recommends camping at the Yellowstone Trail RV Park.

Here are the other national parks on the trending list:

6. Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado)

7. Arches National Park (Utah)

8. Glacier National Park (Montana, along the Canadian border)

9. Zion National Park (Utah)

10. Big Bend National Park (Texas)

More on National Park Week

When: April 20-28, 2024

What: Entrance fees waived at all national parks April 20

Online: facebook.com/nationalparkservice

In Other News
1
Kings Island on list of Six Flags’ amusement parks to get new thrill...
2
WYSO Public Radio launches music-only streaming channel
3
Ed Dixon Gallery in downtown Dayton celebrates seventh anniversary
4
DAYCATIONS: French Lick Resort in Indiana celebrates holidays with ‘50...
5
We’re seeking a freelancer to create content for parents

About the Author

Mandy Gambrell is the Managing Editor of Verticals & Audience for the Dayton Daily News and Cox First Media, overseeing Lifestyles, Entertainment, Arts & Culture, Food, and Homes/Real Estate.