Research Reveals the Best States for Camping: Where Does Your State Rank?

Ready to embark on a camping adventure across the USA? We’ve got the inside scoop on the best states for camping. So, what states made the cut? According to new research, Wyoming takes the crown as the ultimate camping paradise, with Montana and New Mexico hot on its heels. But hey, remember that camping is like a national sport here, and you’ll find fantastic spots all over the United States.

Now, how did they determine which states are camping gold mines? Well, they whipped up something called the Camping Index Score/100. Then, they looked at factors like the number of RV parks and campsites per 100,000 people, the presence of national parks and landmarks in the area, and even the diversity of plants and animal life.

Now, without further ado, let’s unveil the 15 best states for camping in the USA. And while we’re at it, we’d love to know where your state stacks up in this camping extravaganza. So, where does your state rank? Time to find out.

Wyoming

Best States for Camping: WyomingPin
Image Credit: Deposit Photos

Overall Score: 72.12
Hiking trails per 100,000 people: 350
Campsites per 100,000 people: 117.82
National parks and landmarks per 1,000 sq miles: 0.13

Montana

Best States for Camping: MontanaPin
Image Credit: Deposit Photos

Overall Score: 69.29
Hiking trails per 100,000 people: 418
Campsites per 100,000 people: 90.04
National parks and landmarks per 1,000 sq miles: 0.12

New Mexico

Best States for Camping: WyomingPin
Image Credit: Deposit Photos

Overall Score: 65.94
Hiking trails per 100,000 people: 103
Campsites per 100,000 people: 39.61
National parks and landmarks per 1,000 sq miles: 0.22

Idaho

Best States for Camping: IdahoPin
Image Credit: Deposit Photos

Overall Score: 63.62
Hiking trails per 100,000 people: 178
Campsites per 100,000 people: 51.47
National parks and landmarks per 1,000 sq miles: 0.22

Vermont

VermontPin
Image Credit: Deposit Photos

Overall Score: 61.23
Hiking trails per 100,000 people: 405
Campsites per 100,000 people: 24.42
National parks and landmarks per 1,000 sq miles: 1.52

South Dakota

Best States for Camping: South DakotaPin
Image Credit: Deposit Photos

Overall Score: 61.12
Hiking trails per 100,000 people: 75
Campsites per 100,000 people: 44.51
National parks and landmarks per 1,000 sq miles: 0.25

Utah

Best States for Camping: UtahPin
Image Credit: Deposit Photos

Overall Score: 60.15
Hiking trails per 100,000 people: 212
Campsites per 100,000 people: 18.23
National parks and landmarks per 1,000 sq miles: 0.21

New Hampshire

Best States for Camping: New HampshirePin
Image Credit: Deposit Photos

Overall Score: 59.93
Hiking trails per 100,000 people: 309
Campsites per 100,000 people: 15.62
National parks and landmarks per 1,000 sq miles: 1.45

Colorado

Best States for Camping: ColoradoPin
Image Credit: Deposit Photos

Overall Score: 59.86
Hiking trails per 100,000 people: 141
Campsites per 100,000 people: 26.58
National parks and landmarks per 1,000 sq miles: 0.28

North Dakota

Best States for Camping: North DakotaPin
Image Credit: Deposit Photos

Overall Score: 58.81
Hiking trails per 100,000 people: 104
Campsites per 100,000 people: 39.78
National parks and landmarks per 1,000 sq miles: 0.10

Maine

Best States for Camping: MainePin
Image Credit: Deposit Photos

Overall Score: 58.68
Hiking trails per 100,000 people: 188
Campsites per 100,000 people: 20.79
National parks and landmarks per 1,000 sq miles: 0.58

Arizona

Grand Canyon National ParkPin
Image Credit: Depositphotos.com.

Overall Score: 57.82
Hiking trails per 100,000 people: 80
Campsites per 100,000 people: 18.13
National parks and landmarks per 1,000 sq miles: 0.28

Oregon

Best States for Camping: OregonPin
Image Credit: Deposit Photos

Overall Score: 56.39
Hiking trails per 100,000 people: 85
Campsites per 100,000 people: 30.23
National parks and landmarks per 1,000 sq miles: 0.17

West Virginia

West VirginiaPin
Image Credit: Deposit Photos

Overall Score: 53.30
Hiking trails per 100,000 people: 63
Campsites per 100,000 people: 18.20
National parks and landmarks per 1,000 sq miles: 0.92

Alaska

Best States for Camping: AlaskaPin
Image Credit: Deposit Photos

Overall Score: 51.58
Hiking trails per 100,000 people: 119
Campsites per 100,000 people: 14.46
National parks and landmarks per 1,000 sq miles: 0.50

Source: Adventures on the Rock

More From Paddle About

Yosemite National ParkPin

California is full of cool things to do, and its national parks are at the top of the list. With various landscapes, climates, and ecosystems, California National Parks need to be on your summer travel bucket list.

Explore the Best of California’s National Parks

26 Exciting Things To Do in Southern California

Three people surfingPin
Image Credit: Deposit Photos.

Ah, Southern California. Sand, surf and beautiful weather. There are so many things to do in SoCal from theme parks, to whatever else you can imagine. Take some time to explore all the southern California has to offer.

26 Exciting Things To Do in Southern California

Exciting Things To Do In California

Woman roller skating in CaliforniaPin

Welcome to the sunny state of California, where adventure and excitement await at every turn. California is known for its diverse landscapes, vibrant cities, and laid-back beach vibes. It is a playground for the free-spirited and curious souls.

29 Exciting Things To Do In California

Photo of author
About the author
Steve Morrow
Steve Morrow owns Paddle About, an outdoor recreation and travel blog. Steve loves to travel, kayak, paddle board, camp, hike, and spend time outdoors with his wife and two kids. When he's not exploring the great outdoors, Steve enjoys writing about his adventures and sharing tips for getting the most out of your outdoor experiences. He has a lot of interesting stories to share, and he's always happy to help others get more out of life.