The Basecamping Field Guide
Where to stay, when to book, and how to plan your next outdoor trip.
Where to Camp
Camping at Yosemite National Park
How Yosemite campground reservations work (from the NPS), plus campgrounds near the park with hookups, RV limits and where to book.
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Where to Camp
Camping at Joshua Tree National Park
Campgrounds inside and near Joshua Tree National Park: reservation rules from the NPS, RV length limits, hookups and where to book.
Where to Camp
Camping in Big Sur
Campgrounds in and around Big Sur on Highway 1: state park rules, RV length limits, hookups and where to book.
Where to Camp
Camping at Acadia National Park
How Acadia campground reservations work (from the NPS), plus campgrounds near Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Island with hookups and RV limits.
Where to Camp
Cabins and glamping in the Smoky Mountains
Cabin, glamping and camping properties around Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville, plus the national park's own campground rules.
Planning Essentials
How much does it cost to rent an RV?
Listed nightly rates for rental RVs by type and pickup city, plus how often cleaning and prep fees and deposits are listed. From current Outdoorsy and RVshare listings.
Planning Essentials
Winter camping
Which national park campgrounds stay open in winter (from the NPS), and where to find campgrounds with electric hookups for heated stays.
Planning Essentials
Camping with dogs
Campgrounds whose listings say pets are allowed or have a dog park, by state, plus national and state park pet rules from official sources.
Booking Insights
Most popular federal campgrounds near Lake Tahoe
The federal campgrounds near Lake Tahoe ranked by Recreation.gov reservations per site in FY2023–2025, with how far ahead campers book, estimated peak-season occupancy and 10-year trends.
Booking Insights
How far ahead do you need to book a campsite near Lake Tahoe?
How many days ahead campers reserve federal campsites near Lake Tahoe, month by month, weekends vs weekdays, and which campgrounds and sites book earliest.
Booking Insights
Most popular federal campgrounds near Yosemite National Park
The federal campgrounds near Yosemite National Park ranked by Recreation.gov reservations per site in FY2023–2025, with how far ahead campers book, estimated peak-season occupancy and 10-year trends.
Booking Insights
Most popular federal campgrounds near Grand Teton National Park
The federal campgrounds near Grand Teton National Park ranked by Recreation.gov reservations per site in FY2023–2025, with how far ahead campers book, estimated peak-season occupancy and 10-year trends.
Booking Insights
How far ahead do you need to book a campsite in Grand Teton National Park?
How many days ahead campers reserve federal campsites in Grand Teton National Park, month by month, weekends vs weekdays, and which campgrounds and sites book earliest.
Booking Insights
Most popular federal campgrounds near Joshua Tree National Park
The federal campgrounds near Joshua Tree National Park ranked by Recreation.gov reservations per site in FY2023–2025, with how far ahead campers book, estimated peak-season occupancy and 10-year trends.
Booking Insights
Most popular federal campgrounds near Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The federal campgrounds near Great Smoky Mountains National Park ranked by Recreation.gov reservations per site in FY2023–2025, with how far ahead campers book, estimated peak-season occupancy and 10-year trends.
Booking Insights
How far ahead do you need to book a campsite in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
How many days ahead campers reserve federal campsites in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, month by month, weekends vs weekdays, and which campgrounds and sites book earliest.
Booking Insights
Most popular federal campgrounds near Grand Canyon National Park
The federal campgrounds near Grand Canyon National Park ranked by Recreation.gov reservations per site in FY2023–2025, with how far ahead campers book, estimated peak-season occupancy and 10-year trends.
Booking Insights
How far ahead do you need to book a campsite in Grand Canyon National Park?
How many days ahead campers reserve federal campsites in Grand Canyon National Park, month by month, weekends vs weekdays, and which campgrounds and sites book earliest.
Booking Insights
Most popular federal campgrounds near Glacier National Park
The federal campgrounds near Glacier National Park ranked by Recreation.gov reservations per site in FY2023–2025, with how far ahead campers book, estimated peak-season occupancy and 10-year trends.
Booking Insights
How far ahead do you need to book a campsite in Glacier National Park?
How many days ahead campers reserve federal campsites in Glacier National Park, month by month, weekends vs weekdays, and which campgrounds and sites book earliest.
Booking Insights
Most popular federal campgrounds near Asheville
The federal campgrounds near Asheville ranked by Recreation.gov reservations per site in FY2023–2025, with how far ahead campers book, estimated peak-season occupancy and 10-year trends.
Booking Insights
How far ahead do you need to book a campsite near Asheville?
How many days ahead campers reserve federal campsites near Asheville, month by month, weekends vs weekdays, and which campgrounds and sites book earliest.
Explore by destination
Guides and booking data for the places we cover, plus a search for open campsites nearby.