You love nature, so why not experience it around the world? From New Zealand to France, here are the 10 best places to go camping around the globe.
Answering the call of nature is easy to do when you have amazing views and outdoor trails in your backyard. But, when you live in a heavily-populated city or a super suburban area, sometimes you just have to go camping.
Camping allows you to step away from the world for a bit and tune into what really matters. It puts you face to face with some of the most beautiful scenes in nature – but if you’re going to camp, you may as well go all out.
Don’t settle for the camping site down the road or only plan to “rough it out” for a day. Plan the most amazing camping trip you can, even if it’s halfway around the world.
Here are the ten best places to go camping in the world.
1. USA
If you’ve never been camping in your life, it probably is better to start somewhere in the States. Still, it’s worth visiting a gorgeous national park like Yosemite or Yellowstone rather than settling for an average campsite in your town (unless you actually live close to these places, of course).
As far as domestic camping sites go, some of the ones you definitely need to check out are:
- Glacier National Park, Montana
- Arch Rock Campground, Nevada
- Big Bend National Park, Texas
- Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
- Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
If you think you can brave the cold of Alaska or you’re willing to book a flight down to Hawaii, these states have a handful of great campsites to check out, too.
2. Scotland
Once you’ve figured out the basics of camping – like how to pitch a tent and what kind of essentials you should always have – it’s time to test your skills somewhere else. Maybe that “somewhere” is in Scotland.
The Isle of Arran is the place to go if you travel all this way. It’s more than just a campsite. It’s full of rich history with lots to learn about and plenty of things to do. Campers reach the Isle by boat and once there they can hike, cycle, kayak, and set up camp.
3. Spain
The Northwest region of Spain couldn’t be more unlike the buzzing cities of Madrid and Barcelona. But, that’s exactly why you have to put it on your list of the best camping in the world.
This area is called the Asturias region. It’s a quiet part of Spain where most of the entertainment available is found in nature.
Tourists come here for fishing and hiking, and the food isn’t bad, either. This is partly because the locals are so in-tune with the world around them that they know how to work with their ingredients very well.
Not to mention, most of the people you meet will be happy to show you around and make you feel at home. Don’t be surprised if your Spanish camping trip ends up giving you life-long friendships and some incredible travel memories. That’s just the way it goes in the Asturias.
4. France
Up next on the list is France. The thing is, though, France has such a large and lovely countryside that it’s hard to choose just one place that’s worth camping at here. Thankfully, local resources like Campsitedcan help you find the perfect location.
Wherever you go, you’re sure to find lush greenery and have some sort of water activities close by. You could end up on the shore of a large lake or even close to the oceanfront if you plan your trip well.
Plus, there are various forms of camping available in this part of Europe. You can go old-school with a traditional tent and all the things that make a classic setup. Or, you can turn your standard camping trip into something more like glamping.
This is where luxury hotels meet the great outdoors. Glamping ensures you have comfortable accommodations to sleep and relax in while you spend your days enjoying nature’s most wonderful activities.
5. Costa Rica
Maybe you’d rather save a Europe trip for when you want to get lost in historic cities and spend your days discovering big museums and high-end restaurants. There’s nothing wrong with balancing your camping trips with vacations that aren’t too far off the beaten path.
When you really just want to get away and tune into nature, though, head to Costa Rica. This Latin American country is basically nature’s playground. It’s paradise anywhere you look.
Between the large waterfalls, thick forests, and breathtaking beaches, this small country has so much to offer. You can camp in the middle of the trees or stay somewhere closer to the salt water. Wherever you stay, make sure you go on as many hikes as you can, but don’t forget to stop and take in everything around you.
6. Patagonia
Patagonia actually isn’t a country – it’s two. This region takes up the Southernmost tip of South America and it’s shared by Argentina and Chile.
But, the name of this area doesn’t matter as much as the beauty does. Patagonia is where you need to go camping if you want to sleep on soft grass and wake up to snow-capped mountains in the distance.
You can do a little bit of everything here.
It’s not uncommon to end up camping close to a lake where you can fish or go swimming (when it’s weather appropriate), then have a hiking path that takes you up a mountain close by. The whole place kind of feels like a dream.
7. New Zealand
New Zealand is another great spot on the globe to pitch a tent. This country is well-known for the steps it has taken to preserve its own nature and fight climate change on the global scale.
In fact, you can go camping pretty much anywhere in New Zealand thanks to its freedom camping system. Freedom camping allows locals and tourists to camp on any public land so long as all the applicable rules are followed.
For example, if you camp on public land that doesn’t have public toilets or other typical campsite amenities, you need to take care of your waste yourself. The best way to think of the rules is to not take what’s not yours and to clean up everything that is.
Even with the additional clean-up duties of camping here, it’s a no-brainer that New Zealand ended up on this list. The real question is when will you make the trip to see it for yourself? Just imagine waking up on a deserted beach or following a trail to the top of one of the most beautiful mountains you’ve ever set foot on!
8. Australia
You may as well take a hop over to Australia if you plan on camping in New Zealand. The two countries are basically right next to each other, but they couldn’t be more different. This is most clear to see in the Australian Outback.
Known for its dry, rough landscape, not many people would call the Outback “paradise.” But, it’s incredible to experience once you’re there.
When you camp in the Outback, you’re able to see just how delicate and intertwined everything in nature is. You learn about the ecosystem that’s at work in this dry, seemingly deserted area, and with that gain a newfound appreciation for nature as a whole.
Plus, you get once in a lifetime memories out of this trip as well.
9. Morocco
Speaking of a dry, desert area, have you ever thought of going camping in Morocco? You basically have to see the Sahara if you travel all the way to this country, and the best way to experience it is by staying overnight.
It’s amazing to realize how cool and calm the desert is after nightfall, and there’s nothing like watching the sun roll over the tall, golden sand dunes in the morning. It’s not like you have to spend a whole week camping in these conditions, but a night or two in the Sahara Desert are definitely worth the while.
10. Kenya
Last but not least, Kenya. This is another dry desert-like area, but it also has a bit of greenery and some incredible wildlife that you just have to see first-hand. The best place to do so is in Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Sleeping in this national reserve for a few nights means you have a large lion population and all kinds of migrating animals in your backyard. Depending on what time of year it is, don’t be surprised if you see a grazing gazelle or a herd of zebras on the horizon. There are also a few waterways where you can see hippos, and be sure to keep an eye out for crocodiles!
Oh, and you can even take your Kenyan camping trip up a notch with a morning hot air balloon ride and other 5-star experiences.
Discover the Best Places to Go Camping for Yourself
It’s one thing to read about all the best places to go camping all around the world and another to discover them first-hand. At some point, you have to stop daydreaming and start putting yourself in the places you can’t get out of your mind.
No matter where you go camping on this list, you’re sure to have the time of your life. Just make sure you have your passport ready to go before you book a flight!
Click here to learn about how passports work and how to get your own.
