Camps That Adults Will Love at USA (1 to 5)

WB Surf Camp

What it is: Three days learning to surf and stand-up paddleboard in relatively calm, 80-degree waters off the North Carolina coast.

Locations: Wrightsville Beach, N.C.

Dates:: Various

You want to learn to hang ten without ­facing frigid water or monster waves.

Camp Unleashed

What it is: Four days of bonding with Fido; activities include “smell walks,” canine aromatherapy sessions, and dog-focused arts and crafts.

Locations: Asheville, N.C.; Becket, Mass.; Miramonte, Calif.

Dates: Year-round

Your favorite travel companion has four legs.

Web http://campunleashed.com/

Culinary Institute of America Boot Camp Cooking Vacations

What it is: Two to five-day cooking workshops, including courses in hors d’oeuvres, French and Mediterranean cuisine, butchering, and baking, taught by the staff of the eminent Culinary Institute of America.

Locations: Hyde Park, N.Y.; San Antonio; St. Helena, Calif.

Dates: Various

You want to take your cooking skills from simmer to sizzle.

Adult Space Academy

What it is: Three days spent training like an astronaut. Wannabe Neil Armstrongs can participate in a hands-on interactive space mission and a model-rocket construction and launch.

Locations: Huntsville, Ala.

Dates: Various

You’d love to take a spin in an anti-gravity chair.

Horseback Riding Camp

What it is: A long weekend or full week practicing equestrian skills like dressage, cross-country jumping, and stadium jumping. (Horses are provided, or bring your own.)
Locations: Vershire, Vt.
Dates: Several summer and fall sessions
You’re an experienced rider, or just a beginner who’s ready to saddle up.

Best Places to Pitch a Tent in the USA -7

Pacific Coast
Yosemite National Park, California

Nearly 95 percent of the park is designated wilderness — that means no cars, no structures, no roads, and no electricity. After a night spent under the stars, take a hike up to Glacier Point, which overlooks the park’s famous Yosemite Valley, Half Dome (a rock structure revered among climbers), and the High Sierra peaks. The hike on Four Mile Trail from Yosemite Valley to the top of Glacier Point takes about 3-4 hours each way. If you’re looking for something a bit tougher, the Panorama Trail is about twice as long.

Where to Camp: There are 13 popular campgrounds scattered throughout the park, and those requiring reservations are usually full from about April – September. If you don’t have a reservation for summertime camping, there are seven campgrounds that operate on a first-come first-served basis. Backcountry camping is also allowed, but requires a free wilderness permit (which can be reserved ahead of time). Reservations are recommended.

Watch Out For: Black bears are common — follow appropriate food storage rules!

When It’s Open: Park open year round. Campgrounds vary by season.

Cost: $20 per vehicle entrance fee, valid for seven days. Campsites range from $5 to $20 per night. Wilderness permits are free and required for backcountry camping — there is a $5 per reservation plus $5 per person fee to reserve permits ahead of time. For more information visit www.nps.gov/yose.

Assateague Island

Assateague Island

Assateague Island is a 37-mile (60 km) long barrier island located off the eastern coast of Delmarva. The northern two-thirds of the island is in Maryland while the southern third is in Virginia. The Maryland section contains the majority of Assateague Island National Seashore and Assateague State Park. The Virginia section contains Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and a small part of the national seashore. It is best known for its herds of feral horses, pristine beaches, and the Assateague Lighthouse. The island also contains numerous marshes, bays, and coves, including Toms Cove. Bridge access for cars is possible from both Maryland and Virginia, though no road runs the full length of the island.

Best Places to Pitch a Tent in the USA -6

Mid-Atlantic

Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland

 If you love beaches, and you love camping, then this is the spot for you. Assateague is a barrier island off the coast of Maryland and Virginia that’s covered in sandy beaches, salt marches, forests, and costal bays. There’s even a community of wild horses (how exotic!). Enjoy relaxing on the 37 miles of beach or hiking by day, and buckle down your tent right by (err... a safe distance from) the crashing waves for a night under the stars.

Where to Camp: Camping is only allowed on the Maryland side of the island. There are two oceanside and four bayside camping areas available. October 16­ through April 14, the sites are first-come first-served. Two campsites are also open for horse camping during this time. April 15 through October 15, reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance. Backcountry camping is allowed ($5 permit required), but it's only accessible by backpacking or water.

Watch Out For: Nothing too dangerous here — just stay away during hurricane season. Oh, and it’s not a great idea to approach the wild horses.

When It’s Open: Open year round; visitor center and ranger station hours fluctuate from season to season.

Cost: $15 per vehicle entrance fee, valid for seven-days. Annual passes also available for $30. Campsites range from $20 to $30 per night depending on season and location. 

For more information visit www.nps.gov/asis

Best Places to Pitch a Tent in the U.S.A -5

Mid-Atlantic

Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Pennsylvania

Located in south-central PA, this scenic park sits at the northern tip of the Blue Ridge Mountains in an area known as South Mountain (confusing, we know). The Appalachian Trail, perhaps the most famous foot trail in the world, runs through the forest, which is home to the trail’s halfway point. While only 2,000 people attempt to hike the whole 2,186-mile trail each year (about a quarter actually finish), between two and three million people hike or walk a portion of it.  Whether you do two miles or 20 miles, it’s still cool to say you’ve done it! Have some time after the hike? Check out the Appalachian Trail Museum.

Where to Camp: The forest has a mix of 70 tent and trailer sites (mostly rustic) available from late March to mid-December. Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance. Backpacking and overnight hikes are not permitted.

Watch Out For: Pretty safe!

When It’s Open: Park open year round. Campgrounds open from April through December.

Cost: No entrance fee. Campsites range from $4–$5 per person, or $15–$17 per night.

For more information visit www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks.

Best Places to Pitch a Tent in the U.S.A -4

MID-ATLANTIC
Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Pennsylvania

Located in south-central PA, this scenic park sits at the northern tip of the Blue Ridge Mountains in an area known as South Mountain (confusing, we know). The Appalachian Trail, perhaps the most famous foot trail in the world, runs through the forest, which is home to the trail’s halfway point. While only 2,000 people attempt to hike the whole 2,186-mile trail each year (about a quarter actually finish), between two and three million people hike or walk a portion of it.  Whether you do two miles or 20 miles, it’s still cool to say you’ve done it! Have some time after the hike? Check out the Appalachian Trail Museum.

Where to Camp: The forest has a mix of 70 tent and trailer sites (mostly rustic) available from late March to mid-December. Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance. Backpacking and overnight hikes are not permitted. 

Watch Out For: Pretty safe!

When It’s Open: Park open year round. Campgrounds open from April through December.

Cost: No entrance fee. Campsites range from $4–$5 per person, or $15–$17 per night. 

For more information visit www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks.

Best Places to Pitch a Tent in the U.S.A -3

Green Mountain National Forest, Vermont

The famous Long Trail is one of the biggest draws to the Green Mountain State, so try finding a camping spot close by to enjoy hiking a portion of the trail during your stay. Aside from being absolutely gorgeous, the trail is the oldest long-distance trail in the U.S.! It follows the ridge of the Green Mountains through Vermont from the Massachusetts border to Canada.

Where to Camp: The forest offers five developed campgrounds. There are no electrical hookups or dump stations, so arrive prepared. Campground accessibility varies by season. Dispersed or backcountry camping is allowed anywhere in the park unless specifically posted.

Watch Out For: The forest is made up of a mix of private, state, and federal land, so the rules can change from one trail to the next. Figure out where you’ll be heading before you leave, and make sure you know the deal for that specific area.

When It’s Open: Park accessible year round. Visitor center and campground accessibility vary by season, but one campground is always open all year.

Cost: Here’s the best part: No entrance fees, and most of the campsites are free, too. The Green Mountain Club maintains about 70 campsites along The Long Trail, all with a water source and privy, for which GMC caretakers will come by to charge a small fee during the summer and fall. For more information visit www.fs.usda.gov/greenmountain.

Best Places to Pitch a Tent in the U.S.A -2

White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire

If looking for a more rustic experience in the Northeast, the White Mountains are your best bet. The hiking’s pretty rugged in this section of the Appalachian range, but it’s worth it if you’re up for the challenge. The sights here are particularly stunning in the fall, when the foliage turns to all shades of red, orange, and yellow.

Where to Camp: While the forest does have 24 drive-in campgrounds (with a combined 800 campsites — wowza!), the eight walk-in state park campgrounds in the northern part of the state are really what camping’s all about. Some campsites require reservations; some don’t. Backcountry tent camping is also allowed (except in noted no-camping areas); there are also log lean-tos scattered throughout the forest (a small fee may apply).

Watch Out For: The occasional moose and possibly a bear or two.

When It’s Open: Forest accessible year round. Visitor center hours vary.

Cost: No entrance fee. Campsites vary from $16 to $22 per night. Backcountry tent camping is free, no permit required. Parking at a trailhead may require a permit; check signage at your chosen lot. 

For more information visit  www.fs.usda.gov/whitemountain

Best Places to Pitch a Tent in the U.S.A -1

NORTHEAST
Acadia National Park, Maine

Maine is called “The Pine Tree State” for a reason: It’s covered in 17 million acres of forest. Plus, it has 6,000 lakes and ponds and 32,000 miles of rivers and streams. Basically, it’s a camper’s paradise. Located on Mount Desert Island, Acadia National Park makes the perfect camping destination for nature lovers of all skill levels. Looking for a unique experience? Hike to the top of Cadillac Mountain (the highest point along the east coast) just before sunrise and be the first person in the U.S. to say hello to Mr. Sun that morning.

Location: The park has two campgrounds: Blackwoods (closer to the island’s town center, Bar Harbor), and Seawall (which offers a more rustic, less touristy environment). While visitors can enjoy hiking throughout the entire park, camping is only allowed in these designated areas (backcountry enthusiasts, take note).

Watch Out For: Bears and coyotes are sighted on a semi-regular basis, while moose and bobcats are rare — but occasional — camp-mates.

When It’s Open: Park open year round. Most facilities and campgrounds close in the off-season, but Blackwoods campground is open year-round (permit required December – March).

Cost: $20 per vehicle entrance fee, valid for seven-days, from May through October. Annual passes available for $40. Campsite prices range from $10 to $20 depending on site and time of year.

For more information, visit www.nps.gov/acad.