admin Looking for the most dreamy, picturesque camping spots in the USA? We’ve got you – and your partner – covered with our Top 5 Best Romantic Camping Destinations. Our outdoor experts have rounded up their favorite locations that offer romantic charm in bucketloads, perfect for getting lovey-dovey in tranquil, scenic surroundings…
We’ve chosen to bypass some of the most obvious choices such as Yosemite and the Grand Canyon, in favor of slightly more obscure, romantic locations. This means fewer crowds, fewer tourists, and more privacy for you to enjoy your gorgeous surroundings – and each other – in style:
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Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, California
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, located in California, is packed with charm and beauty – and makes an idyllic camping spot for any outdoor adventure. You and your loved one can experience California’s amazing giant redwoods in style at the Jedediah Smith campsite. Situated in a magnificent old-growth redwood grove on the banks of the wild and scenic Smith River, this campground is the perfect way to explore everything the park has to offer.
You can go swimming, fishing, wildlife spotting, and explore one of the many scenic hiking trails, including the Stout Grove Trail loop, which winds through a pristine forest of ancient trees. The campsite is open year-round and has 86 tent and RV places, with plenty of space between you and your neighbors to canoodle discreetly. Just don’t forget to pack the best camping mattress for couples, because some campgrounds have rocky undergrounds that may pinch you in the wrong places…
Sawtooth National Forest, Idaho
Sawtooth National Forest in Idaho is a bit of a hidden gem, making it the perfect destination for loved up couples who want some privacy. This park sees the sunrise and set through dramatic and rugged granite peaks, and you may even catch a glimpse of the elusive Northern Lights on a clear night.
The park’s mountain ranges (the Sawtooths, Boulders, White Clouds, and Smokies) provide scenic landscapes in every direction, serving as the perfect backdrop for your romantic adventure. Sawtooth National Forest offers more than 250 miles of hiking trails and is particularly stunning in summer when wildflowers are in abundance and fill the park with color. Furthermore, the park has over 300 pristine alpine lakes to dip your toes in after a walk.
If you and your partner are feeling adventurous, you can even kayak or raft down the Salmon, Boise, or Payette Rivers. Sawtooth National Forest is dotted by 37 developed campgrounds with over 700 individual sites along the Salmon River in the Stanley, Redfish, and Alturas Lake areas and the Wood River Valley: providing plenty of romantic spots to pitch camp and make some special memories.
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, California
Jaw-dropping coastal views, waterfalls, granite cliffs, and luscious Redwood and Sycamore trees: the Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park in California has it all. For coastal camping, this park is one of the top contenders for romantic charm. Also known as mini-Yosemite, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is quickly gaining popularity, but still offers plenty of secluded coves and space to spread out.
Pfeiffer Big Sur Campground, the park’s main campground, offers 189 RV and tent sites, situated on or near the Big Sur River. The tent sites are fairly spread out, and ample shade is provided by Redwood and Sycamore trees – making this a destination packed with romantic charm. From the campsite, you can explore many nature trails, venture out to enjoy panoramic views of the coastline, and discover hidden coves with irresistible turquoise waters. Beach, forest, or both: at Pfeiffer Big Sur the romantic choice is yours!
Denali National Park, Alaska
If you and your partner are experienced campers and don’t mind a challenge, Denali National Park in Alaska is a hikers’ paradise. With over 6 million acres, incredible wildlife, and Mount McKinley, North America’s tallest peak, Denali is jam-packed with scenic charm. Granted, this park is a bit colder and more rugged than your average US-based camping spot, but with absolutely breathtaking vistas, it’s the perfect spot to fire up your passion! There are a plethora of trails to explore in Denali, from easy to challenging: there’s a match for every fitness level.
When to venture to Denali? If you have the chance, go around mid-summer, as you’ll have a chance to see the spectacular midnight sun. This means that the sunset is close to midnight due to Denali’s far north location and lasts for an extended period, illuminating the scenery with a magical golden glow when the clock strikes twelve.
Sounds pretty darn romantic right? There are 6 campgrounds in Denali but only one, Riley Creek, is open year-round (the others are summer-only). If we had to pick a favorite, we’d settle on Sanctuary River. This small, tent-only campground is only accessible by park shuttle bus and offers plenty of privacy and gorgeous views to the south of Denali on clear days. The campground is heavily wooded with screening between most sites. So, if you want to share some body-heat to battle the cold at night, you don’t have to worry about disturbing your neighbors…
Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
When it comes to romantic camping destinations, you can’t get much more scenic than Dry Tortugas National Park in Florida. This National Park is located 70 miles off the coast of Key West, making it only accessible by boat or seaplane. The spot is known for its pristine blue waters, vibrant coral reefs, and amazing marine life: which make it a world-class diving and snorkeling spot.
That said, if you want to skip the underwater exploration, Dry Tortugas is just as fantastic for relaxing on white-sanded tropical secluded beaches. In total, the Dry Tortugas Park stretches across 100-square miles of tropical waters and seven small islands. Overnight camping is allowed on the Garden Key campground, which is located just south of Fort Jefferson: the park’s historic fort. Do note that a romantic break on Dry Tortugas is a primitive camping experience and facilities are very limited.
For example, you do have access to composting toilets, but there is no running water (or even a store insight). This means that you’ll have to prep accordingly, and bring all your essentials with you. That said, the mind-blowing setting is 100% worth the lack of luxuries. Imagine waking up surrounded by nothing but swaying palm trees and the sound of the ocean gently lapping the shore: pure bliss! Stargazing is equally magnificent at Dry Tortugas, and you may even be able to spot the Milky Way, according to other campers. Sun, sea, sunsets, and romance in abundance: Dry Tortugas is all that, and more!
