Hipcamp’s 2026 List of 50 Favorite Campgrounds Spans 35 States, From National Parks to Private Farm Stays

Hipcamp’s 2026 List: How the Favorite Campgrounds Were Selected

If you’re looking for some of the best places to camp in America in 2026, Hipcamp has released its annual 50 Favorite Places to Camp in America Right Now, highlighting everything from iconic national park campgrounds to secluded private campsites across 35 states.

Rather than ranking campgrounds strictly by popularity, Hipcamp’s editorial team curated destinations that combine outstanding camper reviews, memorable scenery, welcoming hosts, regional diversity, and unique outdoor experiences.

Drawn from more than 500,000 bookable campsites across the country, the 2026 selections offer plenty of inspiration for campers, overlanders, and road trippers planning their next adventure.

The featured campgrounds range from well-known public parks to privately owned properties where campers can enjoy greater privacy, quieter surroundings, and experiences that traditional campgrounds often can’t offer.

According to Hipcamp founder and CEO Alyssa Ravasio, the list reflects camping’s growing appeal as an affordable way to recharge.

“Travel can feel expensive right now, but people still need a real break,” Ravasio said. “Camping is one of the simplest ways to step away from screens and feel connected with the world outside.”

From National Parks to Hidden Gem Campgrounds

The 2026 list stretches from the Pacific Coast to New England, showcasing camping destinations in deserts, forests, mountains, grasslands, and coastal environments.

Among the featured locations are an Olympic Coast preserve in Washington, a fourth-generation farm in Kansas, an off-grid desert camp in New Mexico, and a conservation farm overlooking North Carolina’s Albemarle Sound.

Several campsites are located near some of America’s best-known outdoor destinations. North Rim Campground at Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona earned a spot on the list, along with Arrowhead Campground in Monument Valley, Utah.

Other notable locations include Beach Camp at D. L. Bliss State Park on the shores of Lake Tahoe, Cathedral Gorge State Park in Nevada, Stanley Lake Campground in Idaho’s Sawtooth National Forest, and Big Arsenic Springs Campground within New Mexico’s Rio Grande del Norte National Monument.

California Campgrounds Lead Hipcamp’s 2026 List

California received the most recognition this year with six featured destinations:

• Beach Camp – D. L. Bliss State Park

• Cuyama Badlands

• Foxfern

• Kosk Creek Campgrounds

• The Olive Farm

• Whiteside Mountain

The state’s selections range from lakeside camping along Lake Tahoe to remote desert landscapes, redwood forests, and working farms, showcasing the diversity of camping experiences available throughout California.

Pacific Northwest Camping Destinations Stand Out

The Pacific Northwest was also well represented, with multiple camping destinations in Washington and Oregon making the list.

Featured sites include Aliya Preserve along the Olympic Coast, Dick’s Last Resort on the River near Sequim, Naked Falls in Stevenson, McGovern Residence in Pomeroy, Justesen Ranches in Oregon, and Upriver Paradise Private Retreat near Blue River.

Together, the region’s oceanfront camps, riverfront retreats, forests, and ranches highlight why Washington and Oregon continue to rank among the country’s premier camping destinations.

Private Land Camping and Farm Stays Continue to Grow

One of the biggest takeaways from this year’s selections is the continued rise of camping on private land.

While iconic public campgrounds remain as popular as ever, many of Hipcamp’s featured destinations are privately owned properties that provide a more intimate experience.

Working farms, ranches, vineyards, and conservation lands now make up a significant portion of the list, giving travelers access to places that would otherwise remain off the beaten path.

Many hosts have spent years developing their properties into destinations of their own.

At The Olive Farm in Novato, California, host Sam Bellatto intentionally limits reservations to a single group at a time across the property’s 10 acres, creating a peaceful escape just north of San Francisco.

Florida’s Lucky U Ranch earned recognition not only for its campsites but also for its hands-on ranch experiences, where guests regularly interact with miniature horses and baby goats.

Meanwhile, North Carolina’s Spruill Conservation Farm combines camping with conservation efforts. Since placing the property under a conservation easement in 2023, the farm has focused on sustainable agriculture, education, and public access to the Albemarle Sound.

What Hipcamp’s 2026 List Means for Overlanders and Road Trippers

The 2026 selections reflect several trends shaping today’s camping community.

Travelers continue seeking quieter alternatives to crowded campgrounds, unique overnight stays on private land, and destinations that offer hiking, paddling, fishing, wildlife viewing, and exceptional stargazing.

At the same time, many campers are looking for affordable weekend escapes that don’t require extensive planning or expensive travel.

For overlanders, many of these destinations can serve as ideal overnight stops between larger adventures. Private campsites often provide a quieter alternative to busy public campgrounds while offering convenient amenities such as showers, potable water, and easy vehicle access.

Others deliver the remote feel of off-grid camping while still allowing travelers to reserve a campsite in advance, making route planning considerably easier for longer road trips.

Whether exploring a nearby state or driving across the country, the collection offers a diverse mix of camping destinations that encourage travelers to venture beyond the usual stops and discover somewhere new.

How to Book Hipcamp’s 50 Favorite Campgrounds

While no single roundup can capture every outstanding campground in America, Hipcamp’s annual list provides an excellent starting point for anyone planning their next outdoor adventure.

The combination of national park campgrounds, hidden private properties, working farms, and conservation lands illustrates just how diverse camping opportunities have become across the United States.

The complete 50 Favorite Places to Camp in America Right Now is available through the Hipcamp website and Hipcamp app, where travelers can browse real-time availability, compare campsites, and book campsites online.

Whether you’re planning a cross-country overlanding trip or simply searching for your next weekend getaway, Hipcamp’s 2026 collection is an excellent resource for discovering some of the best places to camp in America.

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