The smell of sunbaked wood and pine, the sounds of wings flapping and lake water lapping, the starlit sky, the s’mores! Sorry to be cheesy, but camping gives soul to the summer. And is it us, or is family time just so much more enjoyable when it’s accompanied by fresh air, forest walks, fireside stories, and Uncle Jerry’s famous hot cocoa (kid-friendly, of course...).
At The Comfy, we love camping, especially in our Comfys! They keep us toasty as a marshmallow during those cold summer nights sleeping in the tent, or early mornings while sipping on Uncle Joe’s cup of joe. Ok, we don’t have an uncle named Joe, but if we did, he’d definitely be in charge of the morning coffee.
Lucky for us, this country is packed with breathtaking national parks and camping spots from coast to coast and everywhere in between. In the spirit of summer, we’d like to share 5 of our favorite places to camp in the US.
1. Yosemite National Park, California
Yosemite National Park is in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains. Famous for its giant, ancient sequoia trees, the granite cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome, and stunning waterfalls, Yosemite is a hiker’s dream. There’s just something majestic and otherworldly about this land of magnificent mountain cliffs and tranquil meadows.
2. Sawtooth National Forest, Idaho
It’s hard to beat the backdrop of the Sawtooth Mountains for their vastness and beauty. Steep, jagged, and majestic, the snow-painted Sawtooth mountains look quite literally like Sawteeth. Here you find lakes, rivers, ranches, and if you’re lucky, a moose! Out of the dozens of campgrounds at this national forest, one of the best is Sawtooth National Recreation Area.
3. Arches National Park, Utah
Arches is a landscape of brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows, diverse textures, and stunning rock structures. Hike the Delicate Arch Trail, and prepare for the jaw-dropping views of this red-rock wonderland. Devils Garden, with 50 campsites, is the park’s only campground, but there are other places to camp nearby in the Moab area.
4. Acadia National Park, Maine
Acadia National Park is the jewel of the Pine Tree State. Located on Mount Desert Island, the park stands guard over the natural beauty of the highest rocky headlands of the Atlantic coastline. 17 million acres of forest, 6,000 lakes and ponds, and 32,000 miles of rivers and streams await! The park has three campgrounds to set up your tent: Blackwoods (close to Bar Harbor), Seawall (less touristy), and Schoodic Woods (on the Schoodic Peninsula).
5. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Perhaps a little obvious, but after all, it is the Grand Canyon! And grand it certainly is, with its layered bands of red rock illustrating millions of years of geological history. The vastness of this global landmark must be seen and felt in person. So get out there! Viewpoints include Mather Point, Yavapai Observation Station and architect Mary Colter’s Lookout Studio and her Desert View Watchtower.
Of course, choosing a favorite camping spot is like choosing a favorite movie. There are SO MANY amazing ones -- all exciting and interesting in their own way. So pack up your Comfy, your fishing pole, your hiking boots, your Uncle Joe, and go! Don’t forget to send us photos of your summer adventures.