Thrillist.com recently rated our 50 states from most fun to least fun. Lucky for you, eight of the top 10 states have camping locations with us. Coming in at #1 was California, followed by Florida, Nevada, New York, and Illinois. Washington was ranked #7, followed by Texas with Pennsylvania rounding out the top 10 (FYI, Colorado was #6 and Minnesota was #9 but you’ll have to visit them on the way to or from a camping trip with us for now.)
Speaking of fun, August is Family Fun Month so why not visit one, or a few, of these states, camp with us and get in as much fun with the family as you can this August! Admittedly, the Thrillist piece notes that fun is subjective, so we’ll point out some fun things to do in these states and you let us know!
California is great fun for many reasons. It is home to nine national parks, a host of theme parks including the granddaddy of them all, Disneyland. It has lakes and rivers, one of which runs right through one of our campgrounds (the South Fork of the American River runs through Ponderosa RV Campground), mountain ranges (several of which provide the backdrop for our camping resorts) and of course, the Pacific Ocean and the scenic coast which runs along it.
Florida has the Everglades, Key West, Disneyworld, citrus groves, the Florida Trail, a 1400-mile scenic hiking trail that runs through the state, and plenty of coastal towns, like Miami, bursting with entertainment and miles of beaches and a whole lot of sunshine. The Kennedy Space Center is a great family destination as is Busch Gardens Tampa.
Fun in Nevada is not just about the Las Vegas Strip. It is also home to the marvel of engineering known as the Hoover Dam, Lake Meade and its water sport fun, scenic Red Rock Canyon, the Neon Museum, where old neon signs are put out to pasture, and is a great home base for a day trip to Arizona’s Grand Canyon or Utah’s Zion National Park. Of course, The Strip and its many attractions can serve as a bit of a European vacation if you take a gondola ride at the Venetian, check out the mini replica of the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas, or get a glimpse of the replica of Michelangelo’s David at Caesars Palace.
New York’s got the Big Apple, but it also has a whole bunch of natural beauty if you head upstate to the Adirondacks and the forested acres upon acres of wooded wonderland which includes waterfalls, lakes, and plenty of hiking and biking trails as well as fishing and boating fun in the Lake George area. Near Brennan Beach Campground there’s fun to be had at the New York State Zoo at Thompson Park or Thunder Island, which has zip lines, mini-golf, and water attractions.
If you plan an Illinois camping trip to O’Connell’s RV Campground, you’re less than 40 miles from Starved Rock State Park and a little over a two-hour drive to the state capital of Springfield where you’ll find The Lincoln Home National Historic Site, which includes Abraham Lincoln’s home, tomb, and Lincoln’s New Salem. Plan to stay at Pine Country RV Campground and you’re just about 70 miles from the attractions of the Windy City, which include Millennium Park and the famous Bean sculpture, Navy Pier, and beautiful lakefront.
Washington State has Seattle for big city lovers and the charming Bavarian-styled town of Leavenworth for those looking for quaint. Adventure includes hiking, biking, Mt. Rainier National Park, Mount St. Helens, plenty of coastal beaches and beautiful Skagit Valley. Charming small towns like La Conner and Snohomish are great for shopping and dining and learning the history of the Pacific Northwest.
Texas is always big fun when you take on the many lakes for great fishing (check out Lake Conroe and Lake Texoma) or make a splash at the Schlitterbahn Water Park in New Braunfels. Natural Bridge Caverns in San Antonio is an awesome experience as is Six Flags Fiesta Texas (also in San Antonio). Take a ride on the Grapevine Vintage Railroad – just outside Dallas or see the newest exhibit, Current Science Studio, at the Fort Worth Science and History Museum.
Pennsylvania has Hersheypark and plenty of family fun in the Amish Country like buggy rides and farm tours. Philadelphia has the Philadelphia Zoo, the Please Touch Museum, the Adventure Aquarium and all the historic sites in and around the city. The Poconos offer opportunities for outdoor fun from archery to hiking and biking as well as attractions such as the Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm and plenty of festivals.
Read More:
- We found the most beautiful lighthouses in the United States, and they’re worth the trip.
- How to cozy up your campsite this summer and fall!
- Have you tried peaches on the grill? This grilled peach recipe may become your new favorite treat.
- These are the most popular sandwiches across the country, and we’re willing to travel for a few.
- Find more campgrounds at ThousandTrails.com.