Are you looking to book a camping trip in the United States? Check out this handy United States camping guide that could be a great resource!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":53,"featured_media":32582,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,197,142],"tags":[],"blog_locations":[11728,141,147,145,152,11724,151,203,9764,146,149],"class_list":["post-32668","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general","category-national-parks","category-trip-ideas-guides","blog_locations-chicago","blog_locations-denver","blog_locations-las-vegas","blog_locations-los-angeles","blog_locations-new-york","blog_locations-orlando","blog_locations-phoenix","blog_locations-portland-or","blog_locations-salt-lake-city","blog_locations-san-francisco","blog_locations-seattle"],"acf":{"title":"","sub_title":"","title_tag":false,"background_image":{"ID":32586,"id":32586,"title":"campervan Nehalem Bay State Park Oregon","filename":"campervan-Nehalem-Bay-State-Park-Oregon.jpg","filesize":452153,"url":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/campervan-Nehalem-Bay-State-Park-Oregon.jpg","link":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/it\/campervan-nehalem-bay-state-park-oregon-2\/","alt":"Escape Campervan at Bay State Park","author":"53","description":"","caption":"","name":"campervan-nehalem-bay-state-park-oregon-2","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":0,"date":"2022-01-05 19:21:08","modified":"2024-04-15 22:24:47","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1160,"height":870,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/campervan-Nehalem-Bay-State-Park-Oregon-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/campervan-Nehalem-Bay-State-Park-Oregon-300x225.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":225,"medium_large":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/campervan-Nehalem-Bay-State-Park-Oregon-768x576.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":576,"large":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/campervan-Nehalem-Bay-State-Park-Oregon-1024x768.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":768,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/campervan-Nehalem-Bay-State-Park-Oregon.jpg","1536x1536-width":1160,"1536x1536-height":870,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/campervan-Nehalem-Bay-State-Park-Oregon.jpg","2048x2048-width":1160,"2048x2048-height":870,"blog-preview":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/campervan-Nehalem-Bay-State-Park-Oregon-600x353.jpg","blog-preview-width":600,"blog-preview-height":353,"post-thumbnail":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/campervan-Nehalem-Bay-State-Park-Oregon.jpg","post-thumbnail-width":1160,"post-thumbnail-height":870,"gform-image-choice-sm":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/campervan-Nehalem-Bay-State-Park-Oregon.jpg","gform-image-choice-sm-width":300,"gform-image-choice-sm-height":225,"gform-image-choice-md":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/campervan-Nehalem-Bay-State-Park-Oregon.jpg","gform-image-choice-md-width":400,"gform-image-choice-md-height":300,"gform-image-choice-lg":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/campervan-Nehalem-Bay-State-Park-Oregon.jpg","gform-image-choice-lg-width":600,"gform-image-choice-lg-height":450}},"title_color":"dark","add_overlay":[],"override_global_post_advertising":"no","content_sections":[{"acf_fc_layout":"text","text":"
There are many different types of campgrounds and campsites throughout the United States, and it can be very confusing to navigate the differences between them when trying to plan an <\/span>Escape Camper Vans<\/span><\/a> trip. <\/span>Because of that, we created a quick and simple United States camping guide to help you along the way!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Here is a breakdown of the most common types of camping available in the US, along with a summary of their common amenities (or lack thereof).\u00a0 From quiet isolated campsites to poolside lounging near a city, there is a campsite out there for every Escape camper!<\/span><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":32610,"id":32610,"title":"South Campground Zion National Park","filename":"South-Campground-Zion-National-Park.jpg","filesize":432005,"url":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/South-Campground-Zion-National-Park.jpg","link":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/it\/south-campground-zion-national-park-2\/","alt":"South Campground Zion ","author":"53","description":"","caption":"","name":"south-campground-zion-national-park-2","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":0,"date":"2022-01-05 19:21:24","modified":"2022-01-05 21:25:35","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1323,"height":870,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/South-Campground-Zion-National-Park-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/South-Campground-Zion-National-Park-300x197.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":197,"medium_large":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/South-Campground-Zion-National-Park-768x505.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":505,"large":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/South-Campground-Zion-National-Park-1024x673.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":673,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/South-Campground-Zion-National-Park.jpg","1536x1536-width":1323,"1536x1536-height":870,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/South-Campground-Zion-National-Park.jpg","2048x2048-width":1323,"2048x2048-height":870,"blog-preview":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/South-Campground-Zion-National-Park-600x353.jpg","blog-preview-width":600,"blog-preview-height":353,"post-thumbnail":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/South-Campground-Zion-National-Park-1200x789.jpg","post-thumbnail-width":1200,"post-thumbnail-height":789,"gform-image-choice-sm":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/South-Campground-Zion-National-Park.jpg","gform-image-choice-sm-width":300,"gform-image-choice-sm-height":197,"gform-image-choice-md":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/South-Campground-Zion-National-Park.jpg","gform-image-choice-md-width":400,"gform-image-choice-md-height":263,"gform-image-choice-lg":"https:\/\/escapecampervans.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/South-Campground-Zion-National-Park.jpg","gform-image-choice-lg-width":600,"gform-image-choice-lg-height":395}},"image_link":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"text","text":" One of the highlights of US recreation areas is the National Parks.\u00a0 Parks like Yosemite, Zion, Yellowstone, and Arches (just to name a few) have some of the most unique and stunning landscapes in the country, if not the world.\u00a0 Most national parks have several camping options within the park\u2019s borders, accommodating everything from large RVs to hiking in tent-only sites.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n These campgrounds are by far the most convenient way to access the parks, often bypassing the need to drive once you are within the park by offering easy access to trailheads and shuttles.\u00a0 Typical amenities include access to water, a bathroom, and a picnic table\/fire ring at your campsite.\u00a0 Showers are usually available somewhere close by, but often not right in the campground itself.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n There are a few tradeoffs for convenience.\u00a0 These campgrounds often fill up very quickly during the parks\u2019 busy seasons (usually booking starts 6 months out), requiring a fair amount of advanced planning if you are set on staying in a particular area.\u00a0 There are often cancellations as dates get closer, so with some diligence, you can score a last-minute site.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n These campgrounds are usually quite crowded with minimal privacy, as they are in high demand due to their locations. \u00a0 If the park and campground are open year-round, sites are often first come first serve, and much easier to come by in the off-season.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land is found predominantly throughout the western portion of the United States.\u00a0 BLM is federally managed recreation land, open for activities like camping, hiking, biking, and hunting.\u00a0 There are two types of BLM camping \u2013 developed campgrounds and dispersed camping.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Developed campground areas charge a fee and include basic amenities such as pit toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables at your site.\u00a0 Some campgrounds may offer additional perks like restrooms, potable water, electrical hookups, picnic areas, garbage cans, tent pads, and group shelters.\u00a0 Many of these are first come first serve, with some reservable options.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Dispersed camping is free and no-frills.\u00a0 These camping areas are typically pull-offs on the side of secondary or forest roads within BLM land boundaries.\u00a0 It is recommended to try to utilize pre-existing sites to minimize the impact on the land.\u00a0 There are no facilities, no trash receptacles, no restrooms.\u00a0 They can range anywhere from a cluster of sites just outside of busier populated areas or parks to remote vistas with no one in sight.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n You can find areas open for dispersed camping by looking at your road atlas (areas marked in shaded green are usually delineated on the map as open BLM land);\u00a0 <\/span>This website<\/span> is also a great resource for finding camping and recreation information in specific areas, as well as the field office associated with the area.\u00a0 Check out <\/span>this guide<\/span> for more information on dispersed camping in an Escape van<\/a>!\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Where to book:\u00a0 <\/span>www.recreation.gov<\/span> for group sites and sites with options to reserve.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The United States Forest Service (USFS) is also a branch of federally managed public recreation land, with the majority being forested land and grasslands.\u00a0 Much like the BLM, the USFS campsites are both dispersed (free roadside or backcountry campsites) and developed campground sites.\u00a0 Sites vary in available amenities; the best information about specific campgrounds can be found on the forest service website for that national forest.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n State parks and forests are public lands managed by (you guessed it) individual states.\u00a0 These parks usually have relatively large developed campgrounds centered around additional park features like a trail system or lake.\u00a0 The campsites usually offer tent pads, picnic tables, and fire rings.\u00a0 These parks typically have more amenities than the above federally managed land areas, so you may have access to drinking water, flush toilets, playgrounds, or hot showers.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Not all state parks are on this site; we recommend a quick google search of the state parks site specific to your destination for direct links to park maps, amenities, and campsite reservations. \u00a0 As a rule of thumb, state forests tend to be a bit more remote and primitive than state park camping areas.<\/span><\/p>\n Privately run campgrounds can be found throughout the country.\u00a0 These vary widely, from small family-run wooded tent sites on a smaller parcel of private land to large RV parks with wide-open parking pads and swimming pools, and everything in between.\u00a0 Site prices are usually more expensive when compared with public parks.\u00a0 There is no real centralized site for finding and booking private campgrounds, so these can take a little research to find. \u00a0 <\/span>Reserveamerica.com<\/span><\/a> has a directory of private campgrounds by state.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Websites and apps like <\/span>TheDyrt.com<\/span> and <\/span>Hipcamp<\/span> are good sources of information and reviews for private campgrounds.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n RV parks are privately run campgrounds designed for larger campers.\u00a0 These usually have access to electrical and water hookups as well as dump stations for wastewater and RV sewage tanks.\u00a0 The sites are often very large and wide open (easy to maneuver a large RV into) with level parking pads and minimal privacy.\u00a0 Some RV campgrounds do not allow smaller vehicles like campervans, so its best to check with the park if you are headed that way. \u00a0 Campendium.com and Allstays.com are good resources for campsite searches that can filter by the type of site and have robust information about RV park settings.<\/span><\/p>\n Kampgrounds of America (KOA)<\/span><\/a> is a large network of private campgrounds, with over 500 locations around the United States and Canada.\u00a0 These campgrounds are usually a mix of cabins, RV sites, and tent sites with additional amenities such as organized recreation, playgrounds, and pools.\u00a0 The amenities come at a cost, however; most of these sites start in the ~$40-$50\/night range depending on location and season.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We hope our United States camping guide and a brief synopsis of where to camp, help get you on the road to your ideal Escape Campervan getaway!\u00a0 What type of camping do you prefer?\u00a0 Book your campervan<\/a> and find out, there truly is something for everyone so happy camping!<\/span><\/p>\nCheck Out The US National Parks!<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Do Not Skip Over The Bureau of Land Management<\/span><\/h2>\n
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US Forest Service Manages Many of The Dispersed Camping Area<\/span><\/h2>\n
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There Is A Lot To Be Found At State Parks And State Forests<\/span><\/h2>\n
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The United States Also Has Many Private Campgrounds<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Use This United States Camping Guide And Book Your Trip!<\/span><\/h2>\n