The Most Unique Camping Spots Across the U.S.

America’s geography is unmatched in diversity, spanning from scorching, sandy deserts to snow-capped mountains and dense swamps; coastal wetlands to high, grassy plains. There’s perhaps no better way to experience this incredible variety than by taking a back to basics approach and living in harmony with the land. So grab your hotdogs, tents, hiking poles, and potable water—we’re hitting the road, taking you to camping sites around the country that are far more than your standard “dirt patch in the woods” affair.

At these unique outdoor destinations, you’ll not only escape the noise and stresses of the city but also learn a thing or two—about indigenous mining practices, dark sky preservation, Gilded Age luxury, and much, much more. | Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area (Kula, Hawaii) | Tent sites + 1 rustic cabin (8 bunks) | Year-round (subject to closures — verify current status before publishing) | Paid — ~$20/night tent permit; cabin ~$90/night | | ‘Moonrise Kingdom’ Beach / Fort Wetherill State Park (Jamestown, Rhode Island) | ⚠️ Fort Wetherill itself is day-use only, sunrise–sunset — no on-site camping. Nearest option: Fort Campground, a few miles away on the same island (Conanicut Island), with tent, RV, and waterfront/boat-in sites | Fort reservations open in early spring for the summer season | Free to visit Fort Wetherill; Fort is paid, town-run camping | | Hole-in-the-Wall Outlaw Hideout / Willow Creek Ranch (Kaycee, Wyoming) | Tent, log cabin, or bunkhouse (ranch lodging) | Seasonal — guest ranch typically operates late spring through fall | Paid — ranch stay rates (not a flat campsite fee) | | The Desert of Maine (Freeport, Maine) | Cabins (A-frame), geodesic domes, glamping tents (no bring-your-own-tent or RV sites as of 2024) | Seasonal — typical Maine camping season (~May–October) | Paid — roughly $45–$75+/night depending on unit and day of week | | Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve (Arco, Idaho) | Tent/RV sites (no hookups) + free winter walk-in snow camping | Vehicle-accessible May–November; walk-in snow camping Dec–March (permit required) | Paid in-season ($15/night, $8 when water is off); free in winter | | Assateague Island (Berlin, Maryland) | Tent, RV/trailer, group, and horse-camp sites | Year-round; reservations required March 15–Nov 15, first-come off-season | Paid — $30–$80/night depending on site type | | Sand Mountain (Fallon, Nevada) | Dispersed/primitive tent & RV camping (no designated sites) | Year-round (weather/road conditions permitting) | Paid — $40 weekly pass or $90 annual pass (free Tue/Wed) | | Sunken Forests (Rye, New Hampshire) | RV & tent camping via nearby private campgrounds (Sea Coast Camping & RV Resort; Tidewater Campground) | Seasonal — typical New England season (~May–October) | Paid — standard private campground rates | | Cosmic Campground (Mogollon, New Mexico) | Primitive tent & RV sites (dispersed, ~10 sites) | Year-round (access roads may be affected by winter weather) | Free | | Sharp’s Island (Richmond, Virginia) | Small wooden cabin + tent platforms (booked via Airbnb) | Not specified — likely weather/river-level dependent; verify with host | Paid — Airbnb booking rates | | Mystic Hot Springs (Monroe, Utah) | Tent, RV, pioneer cabins, converted buses | Year-round | Paid — camping from ~$25/night per person; cabins/buses ~$60–$120+/night | | Palisades State Park (Garretson, South Dakota) | Tent, RV (electric/non-electric), cabins, group lodge | Year-round (some facilities like hot showers close Oct 1–Apr 30) | Paid — ~$15–$26/night sites, ~$40–$55/night cabins | | Great Camp Santanoni (Newcomb, New York) | Tent only (lakeside sites; main house not available for overnight stays) | Seasonal — typically spring through fall (verify current DEC access dates) | Free/nominal — standard NY DEC backcountry camping permit | | Ape Canyon (Cougar, Washington) | Dispersed backcountry tent camping (Gifford Pinchot National Forest) | Seasonal — summer through fall; snow limits access in winter | Free | | Honey Island Swamp (Pearl River, Louisiana) | Primitive camping sites (Pearl River Wildlife Management Area) | Year-round (check for seasonal hunting-season restrictions/permits) | Free or low-cost — WMA permit may be required | Trails run through reforested landscapes planted by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. gillbrooksmaui / Atlas Obscura User At an elevation of 6,200 feet, this 10-acre reserve offers fantastic views of Central and West Maui, Kahoʻolawe, Molokaʻi, and Lanaʻi on clear days, though the park’s usual fog is part of its mystical appeal. With several individual trails that form one long loop, Polipoli Spring is one of the most unique places to hike on the island, taking you through scrub foliage, China fir, eucalyptus, and towering coastal redwood.

The park is also a popular spot for mountain biking, seasonal pig hunting, and birding. Make sure to pack layers, as it can get quite chilly at night! The park is also used for scuba diving, boating, and fishing. bakedinthehole / Atlas Obscura User This peaceful cove in Fort Wetherill State Park was once home to the largest fort of the Harbor Defenses of Narragansett Bay; however, it’s perhaps better known as the fictional Conanicut Island in Wes Anderson’s 2012 film, “Moonrise Kingdom.” It’s on these shores that precocious teens Sam and Suzy first fall in love—pitching a tent, listening to records, and jumping off the rocks together.

Visiting the beach, it’s easy to channel this same sense of adventure; there are great views of Newport Harbor and the Castle Hill Lighthouse, plus biking trails and old ruins to explore. A daily dose of hidden gems to visit, extraordinary places to eat and wondrous stories from around the world. Your newsletter subscriptions with us are subject to Atlas Obscura's Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.

An Explorer's Guide to the Hidden Wonders of the United