Northwest: 19 best campgrounds

ALASKA 

1. Porcupine Campground, Chugach National Forest, West of Hope
On a bluff on the northern part of Kenai Peninsula south of Anchorage, this campground has great ocean views. Insider tip: In mid- to late summer, watch for beluga whales. Best for: Hiking Info: $14; 907/224-3374 Book it: recreation.gov

2. Wonder Lake Campground, Denali National Park
Set near Wonder Lake, this is one of only a handful of campgrounds inside Denali, and it’s the one with the best views of Mt. McKinley. No cars are allowed into Denali, so take the Camper Bus ($32; reservedenali.com) from the park’s Wilderness Access Center. Insider tip: It’s beautiful but buggy, so pack insect protection. Best for: Intimate, RV-free escapes Info: $16 (plus $5 reservation fee and $20 park entrance fee per vehicle); 907/683-2294 Book it: reservedenali.com

BRITISH COLUMBIA

3. China Beach Campground, Juan de Fuca Provincial Park
Get a taste of the wild coastline of Vancouver Island at China Beach, situated at the southern end of the Juan de Fuca Trail. Insider tip: From the campground, follow trails to the two beaches for sea otter sightings. Best for: Hiking Info: $11.75 U.S.; bcparks.ca Book it: discovercamping.ca

4. Nairn Falls Provincial Park, North of Whistler
Just a half-hour north of Whistler, this campground is a good base for exploring B.C.’s "Sea to Sky" region. Insider tip: Request a campsite overlooking the Green River. Best for: Hiking Info: $11.75 U.S. (plus $4.65 U.S. reservation fee per night); bcparks.ca or 604/986-9371 Book it: discovercamping.ca

OREGON

5. Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park, South of Florence
Feel like a desert explorer on 2 miles of sand dunes that stretch from your campsite to the Pacific. Or cool off in the park’s two freshwater lakes. Insider tip: To avoid ATV noise, stay away from H Loop. Best for: Families Info: $17; 541/997-3641 Book it: reserveamerica.com

6. Silver Falls State Park, Northeast of Sublimity
A great base for exploring Oregon’s largest state park. Don’t miss the 7-mile Trail of Ten Falls, a misty trek among waterfalls, ferns, and wildflowers. Insider tip: Take a dip in the swimming area at Silver Creek. Best for: Families and hiking Info: $16; 503/873-8681 Book it: reserveamerica.com

7. Wallowa Lake State Park, South of Joseph
Lots to do: swimming, boating, fishing, and a gondola tramway (from $24) that runs to the top of 8,150-foot Mt. Howard. Insider tip: Visit the nearby town of Joseph, famous for its bronze castings. Best for: First-timers Info: $17; 541/432-4185 Book it: reserveamerica.com

8. Bull Prairie Campground, Umatilla National Forest, South of Heppner
The ultimate fishing lake abuts this campground in the Blue Mountains. Hang a hammock under ponderosas, cast a line from a dock, or ramble along the 1-mile lake trail. Insider tip: Check out the Morrow County Fair and Oregon Trail Pro Rodeo, 36 miles north in Heppner (Aug 5–9; fair $3, rodeo $8; morrowcountyoregon.com). Best for: Fishing (no motorboats) Info: $14; no reservations; 541/676-9187

9. Cape Blanco State Park, North of Port Orford
Explore the wild headlands of the Oregon coast from this campground, surrounded by 8 miles of beach and forest trails. Or take a day trip to hike nearby Humbug Mountain State Park. Insider tip: Up to 50 people can share Cape Blanco’s private group campsite. Best for: Groups Info: From $16 ($61 plus booking fee for group site); no reservations, except for group site; 541/332-6774

10. Oxbow Regional Park, East of Gresham
Just 20 miles east of Portland, this campground in the Sandy River Gorge is the ideal place to swim, kayak, canoe, fish, or explore the park’s 1,200 acres of old-growth forest. Insider tip: On the last Sunday of every month, check out Dirt Time (free; 503/797-1850), a program that teaches basic wildlife tracking. Best for: Beating the heat Info: $15 (plus $5 park entrance fee per vehicle); no reservations, except for group sites (503/797-1850); oregonmetro.gov or 503/663-4708

11. Strawberry Campground, Malheur National Forest, South of Prairie City
This tiny gem (11 campsites) is located at 5,700 feet in the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness. Insider tip: Fish at trout-stocked Little Strawberry Lake, a nice 6-mile round-trip from the campground trailhead. Best for: Hiking and fishing Info: $6; no reservations; 541/820-3311

WASHINGTON

12. Cape Disappointment State Park, Southwest of Ilwaco
The campground launches you into 1,880 pristine acres at the end of the Long Beach Peninsula. Wander 27 miles of beach, or go clamming or fishing. Insider tip: Sites 104 and 105 have great beach access. Best for: First-timers Info: $19; 360/902-8844 Book it: parks.wa.gov/reserve.asp

13. Lone Fir Campground, Okanogan National Forest, Northwest of Winthrop
A wooded spot along Early Winters Creek offers a cool base for exploring the northern Methow Valley. Insider tip: On hot days, head to the swimming beach at Pearrygin Lake State Park, near Winthrop. Best for: Hiking Info: $12; no reservations; 509/996-4003

14. White River Campground, Mt. Rainier National Park
Keep an eye out for mountain goats near this campground (accessed from the White River entrance) on Mt. Rainier. Insider tip: For wildflowers, hike 3 miles to Glacier Basin or 4.2 miles up, up, up to Summerland via the Wonderland Trail. Best for: Hiking Info: $12 (plus $15 park entrance fee per vehicle); no reservations; 360/569-2211

15. Curlew Lake State Park, Northeast of Republic
This 5.5-mile-long lake in the state’s northeastern corner is famous for its trout fishing and swimming. Insider tip: Bring your passport and take a day trip to the historic mining and railroad town of Grand Forks, British Columbia, 27 miles north. Best for: Fishing and boating Info: $17; no reservations; 360/902-8844

16. Moran State Park, on Orcas Island in the San Juan Islands
After you summit 2,400-foot Mt. Constitution or conquer the park’s bike trails, cool off by Cascade Lake at this shaded campground. Insider tip: Skip the long car-ferry lines and walk on with your gear; the Orcas Island Shuttle ($6 one-way) runs all summer long. Best for: Beating the heat Info: From $20; 360/902-8844 Book it: parks.wa.gov/reserve.asp

17. Penrose Point State Park, Southwest of Purdy
On the Key Peninsula, Penrose is the best of two worlds ― Northwest forest and Puget Sound beach, with a Frisbee-perfect lawn connecting the two. Insider tip: The group campsite near the playfield and beach can sleep up to 50 people. Best for: Groups Info: $19 (from $40 for group site); 360/902-8844 Book it: parks.wa.gov/reserve.asp (group site: 888/226-7688)

18. Salt Creek Recreation Area, West of Port Angeles
Awe-inspiring views over the Strait of Juan de Fuca and colorful tidepools at Tongue Point Marine Life Sanctuary make this a standout. Insider tip: Choose a spot with a view over the strait ― we like site 63. Best for: Families and first-timers Info: $18; clallam.net or 360/928-3441 Book it: By mail (details on clallam.net)

IDAHO

19. Hells Gate State Park, Lewiston
Take in Lewis and Clark country from this grassy, shaded campground along the shores of the Snake River. Insider tip: Hike an easy 1.5 miles south to the basalt rocks, a 150-foot-tall ancient lava formation. Best for: Fishing and boating Info: From $12; 208/799-5015 Book it: parksandrecreation.idaho.gov
 

More:  90 best places to camp