Camping involves a pretty straightforward premise.
These rustic vacations take us straight into the heart of nature. There’s nothing left to do on a camping trip aside from slow down. Take a dip in a lake, cook a filling meal, hike through the forest, build a campfire to tell stories around, and then start over again tomorrow.
Sounds pretty easy, right?
In reality, anyone who has spent time camping knows that it’s a deceptively complex art… and a pricey one for those who don’t know what they’re doing.
While camping is regarded as an affordable travel option, expenses can quickly add up. Most hardcore campers have spent years tinkering with their gear setup, RVs, and camper vans.
In other words, there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes to create a cute and cozy campsite.
There’s also a long list of mundane concerns—from toilet paper to bug spray to keeping food from going bad. Then there’s the art of having fun, which usually involves equipment like canoes, Camelbacks, and life vests.
Last is the hunt for comfort, from keeping pillows dry during rainstorms to finding a compact and ergonomic camping chair.
If you’re camping with children, those three challenges get even more complicated.
Still, despite all the fuss, camping remains a popular way to travel. Each year, thousands of beginners set up their wonky tents for the first time.
If you happen to be one of these hapless first-timers, then I’ve got good news: there are a handful of beginner-friendly campgrounds in scenic spots around the US.
The grounds have flushing toilets, laundry facilities, RV hookups, and plenty of other amenities that will make your first time sleeping under the stars a bit more enjoyable.
Here’s where to fine them.
Yosemite Pines RV Resort
Don’t want to sleep in a tent while you explore the wonders of Yosemite National Park?
You’ll have plenty of options at this RV resort. Along with camping sections, you can find cabins, yurts, and RV hookups—there’s even a covered wagon. (I told you—the Oregon Trail is still a thing.)
Pictured above is the ground’s large pool, designed for morning dips and lounging in the sun. You can buy snacks and drinks from the adjoining center. I also imagine the pool center plays some classic and upbeat summer music (no guarantees).
This campsite is by far one of the most developed in the US. It blends the magic of a getaway summer camp with the wonders of running water and electricity—all while giving you a mouthwatering backdrop of the US’s most rugged national park.
But make sure to reserve your place far ahead of time, as this is a hotspot almost year-round.
Acadia National Park’s Blackwoods Campground
On the other side of the United States, you’ve got Maine’s Acadia National Park—one of the premier national parks on the East Coast.
Similar to Yosemite, Acadia is under the purview of highly passionate park rangers. They’re dedicated to preserving its natural wonders while making it easy for visitors to explore its hiking trails and landmarks.
Blackwoods Campground is a state-run campsite, which means it’s first-come, first-serve. You can make reservations up to two months in advance, which I recommend booking ASAP. Like Yosemite, this campground will fill up during the warmer months.
This campground is a great choice for beginners for a few reasons. First, its trailheads are clearly marked, making it easy for first-timers to hit the dirt path. Second, there aren’t any showers, but there are flush toilets (and those should be your priority).
Lastly, while there’s not a pool or a snack bar, there is staff on-site who can answer your questions. In other words, all the basics are covered and, most importantly, you’ll have the resources you need to start exploring nature.
Fallen Leaf Campground (Lake Tahoe)
In terms of bougie campsites, Lake Tahoe isn’t short on options. (If you’re into glamping, this is a great place to start shopping around for sites.)
The Fallen Leaf Campground is located beneath towering pine trees on the north end of Tahoe near its own separate lake, Fallen Leaf Lake.
Like Yosemite, you can find yurts and RV sites ready to go—in addition to tent sites, of course. What I love most about this site is that it’s off the beaten path for other Lake Tahoe campers, meaning you might not notice too many other people on this 206-site campground.
The yurts are an amazing option for first-timers. While you won’t be sleeping in a tent, you’ll still feel immersed in the outdoors… without saying goodbye to electricity, heat, and mattresses.
Plus, there are dozens of businesses nearby that make it easy to rent kayaks, canoes, boats, and more, meaning you can pretty much show up with a backpack and start camping. (That might make this more of a glamping site, then.)
Full disclosure: bears are a pretty common presence at this campsite, so beware.
Ozark National Scenic Riverways Pulltite Campground
The Ozarks is a hilly and forested region that stretches between southern Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Kansas.
It’s known for its famous Netflix show of the same name, along with being a favorite hideout for legends like Jesse James.
The Ozarks is also home to a massive man-made lake—which is usually what locals are talking about when they say ‘Ozarks’. But the region is also home to beautiful rivers that wind through the bright green landscape.
If you’re in the Midwest, you can choose from several campgrounds that are part of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. But you might wondering… why bother with rivers?
The answer is floating.
If you haven’t heard of this refined American pastime, it involves finding a floating device (a standard tube will do), a mesh bag, and a six-pack. Toss the beers in the bag and tie them to your floating device. Drink when you’re thirsty, toss the empties back into the bag. Get out of the water whenever you feel like it.
I recommend staying at the Pulltite Campground. It’s got a seasonal store for all of your last-minute needs (including ice and firewood sales), trash and recycling stations, and staff on-site to help you out. Oh, and you’ll still have those ever-important flushing toilets—and even showers with hot water.