10 Best Campgrounds for Nature and Wildlife Viewing
One of our favorite things about traveling full time has been seeing local wildlife, local flora and geographical features like mountains, valleys, rivers and streams. Animals, birds and even insects vary widely across the U.S. as does the landscape; maximize your experiences by staying at these nature lovers’ campgrounds around the country.
Winding River Resort, Grand Lakes, CO
This campground borders Rocky Mountain National Park, providing spectacular views of this gorgeous area. What’s special here is the horses – Winding River offers one- or two-hour trail rides along the Colorado River. Also enjoy the animal farm which features baby chicks, baby goats, calves and piglets. Wildlife near the campground that sometimes make appearances: moose, elk, fox, coyotes, bears, and many types of birds. Other things to enjoy at Winding River:
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Carriage and sleigh museum
- Chuck wagon breakfasts
- Square dancing
- Cowboy church – down by the river!
Bonelli Bluffs Campground, San Dimas, CA
Situated at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains, this resort also boasts frontage along Puddingstone Lake. What’s special: Head over to San Dimas Canyon Community Park to see the animal sanctuary and rehab center for birds of prey. The campground is also located within Frank Bonelli Regional Park, offering a variety of recreational activities:
- Mountain biking
- Swimming at the beach
- Two swimming pools
- Family and group picnicking
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Jogging
- Nature walks
- Water-theme park
- Bird watching
- Golfing
- Bicycling
Located at the southern tip of Georgetown Island, nestled at the head of beautiful Sagadahoc Bay. Molly Point waterfront RV sites have stunning views of Seguin Island Light (a lighthouse commissioned by George Washington), will allow you to park a 45 ft. bus or a 16 ft. pop-up trailer and walk to the ocean to boat, swim or just enjoy the view. Sagadahoc Campground has1200 feet of frontage on the ocean and direct access to the water. Considered Southern Mid Coast Maine, with the Atlantic pouring in at high tide and a mile and half of sandy beach at low tide. What’s special: Dig your own clams from the sand flats and order your lobsters done the way you like it too! If don’t have a tent or RV, there are 5 cottages for rent. Enjoy their amenities:
- Pet Friendly
- Free Wifi
- Sandy beach for swimming
- Rocky ledges for fishing
- Explore the bay at low tide
- Go kayaking or paddle boarding at high tide
- Spectacular view of Seguin Island Light
- Wooded sites for pop-ups
- Full Housekeeping
- Cabins/Park Models
- Waterfront RV & Tent Sites
Camp Taylor Campground, Columbia, NJ
Set on 400 acres of forest near the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and the renowned Appalachian Trail, Camp Taylor boasts expansive wooded sites and extensive hiking trails. RV sites with electric and water hookups, primitive tent sites and cabins are available. What’s special: The Lakota Wolf Preserve is located within the campground. Campers can hear wolves howling while staying at the campground! Tours of the preserve can be booked on the Lakota Wolf Preserve website and includes an educational guided presentation of the wolves, foxes, bobcats and lynx.
Other amenities at the campground:
- Spacious, shaded sites
- Free Wi-Fi in parts of the campground
- Two acre lake for swimming
- Playground and Recreation Field
- Direct hiking access to the Appalachian Trail and Delaware Water Gap
- Table and trash can at each site
- Fire pit at each site
- Gift Shop
- Miniature golf, volleyball, horseshoes, and cornhole
- Camp Store- ice, soda, candy, basic camping supplies and gifts
- Propane and firewood
- Flush toilets and hot showers
Lazy Llama Campground, Chuckey, TN
As the campground name implies, if you stay at here you will see llamas! Lazy Llama is next to a working llama farm. This 8 acre park is family owned and operated. What’s special: Aside from visiting with llamas, your stay includes vegetables from the organic box garden planted by a master gardener.
- RV Storage and dry camping site available
- 50/30/20 Amp Service at all sites
- Big Rig Friendly (Premium/Deluxe Sites)
- Laundromat
- Portable Fire Rings Allowed (Bring our own)
- New Bath House
- Dog/Pet Friendly
- Large Green Space for Humans & Dogs
- Walking distance to baseball field
Turpentine Creek, Eureka Springs, AR
Aside from views of the Ozark Mountains, Turpentine Creek visitors enjoy sleeping near the big cat wildlife refuge! The refuge is a home for abused and neglected big cats such as lions, tigers, leopards and cougars. The mission of the refuge is to help end the exotic animal trade by educating the public through on-site and online programs. Take a general tour or a behind-the-scenes or group tour of the refuge. Lodging options include RV sites, glamping tents, safari suites (family-friendly and pet-friendly cabins), adult-only cabins and a tree-house bungalow. RV sites include wifi, water and electric hookups, fire pit and picnic table. Other things to do in the area:
- Beaver Lake, Table Rock Lake, & Lake Leatherwood
- Kings River, Buffalo River, Roaring River, & White River
- Boating, Fishing, Swimming, and Scuba Diving
- Canoeing, Jet Skiing, Stand Up Paddle Boarding
- Hiking & Biking Trails
- Blue Spring Heritage Center
- Belle of the Ozarks
- Mystic, Onyx Cave, Cosmic Cavern, & War Eagle Cavern
- Ozark Mountain Ziplines
- Horseback Riding
- Adventure Mountain Outfitters
- Golfing
Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park, West Yellowstone, MT
Just 3 blocks away from the entrance to Yellowstone National Park! Grizzly offers full hookup RV sites, both back-in and pull-through options including the “presidential pull-through” which includes a large yard, deck and pergola. Enjoy the walking trails that border the park and all the beauty of the area from your campsite, and still be close to amenities like shopping and dining. Amenities at the campground include a store, pavilion, playground, bath houses and a coin-operated laundry. What’s special: The Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center is within walking distance of the campground. Experience grizzlies and gray wolves up close! Things to do and see in the area:
Walking Distance
- Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center – Wildlife up close!
- Zip Lining
- Giant Screen Theater
- Historical Museum
Outdoor Adventures
- Horseback Riding – Eagle Ridge Ranch in Idaho
- Whitewater Rafting – Montana Whitewater or Geyser Whitewater Expeditions
- Guided Yellowstone Tours – See Yellowstone! or Yellowstone Vacations (pickup & drop-off at Grizzly RV)
- Fly-Fishing – Arrick’s Fly Fishing
- West Yellowstone Rodeo – Summer events just minutes away
Brown’s Canyon National Monument, Salida, CO
President Obama designated the 21,589-acre Browns Canyon National Monument on February 19, 2015. The Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service jointly manage the Monument. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), through the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA), manages river-based recreation on the Arkansas River through Browns Canyon. Rugged cliffs and beautiful mountain views as well as the Arkansas River are what attract visitors to this area.
Browns Canyon is home to some of Colorado’s most emblematic animal species, including mountain lions, bighorn sheep, elk, mule deer, bobcat, red and gray fox, black bear and coyote, among others. The area’s cliffs provide excellent habitat for peregrine falcons, prairie falcons and golden eagles.
The rugged river corridor of Browns Canyon National Monument represents one of the only riparian ecosystems along the Arkansas River that remains relatively undisturbed. Riparian corridors provide very important migration routes for birds and insects. A number of reptile and amphibian species are found in the area, including Woodhouse’s toads, chorus frogs, bullsnakes, plains garter snakes, westerns rattlesnakes, Short-horned lizards, and some other less common species.
All access to Browns Canyon National Monument is via unpaved roads that have blind corners and other hazards. One of the main trailheads into the Monument is located adjacent to the Ruby Mountain Recreation Site (AHRA), which features a campground with restrooms, changing facilities, a boat ramp and picnic sites. The Hecla Junction Recreation Site (AHRA) is the primary location for taking boats out after floating through Browns Canyon. The area features a campground with restrooms, changing facilities, a boat ramp and picnic sites. The road into Hecla Junction is steep and unpaved.
Things to do in the area:
- Rafting
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Climbing
- Off-roading
- Mountain biking
Cheyenne Mountain State Park, Colorado Springs, CO
It’s hard to beat the views at Cheyenne Mountain. We stayed here in the late spring, and were hit by a snow storm early during our stay – but that just made it more beautiful! From our campsite we enjoyed views of prairies, valleys, of course mountains, and at night we could still see the city lights in the distance. Cheyenne Mountain State Park has black bears, deer, bobcats, coyotes, fox, wild turkeys and even a mountain lion. Every evening mule deer walked through our campsite. We did also spot some turkeys and prairie dogs but unfortunately did not see any bears (they were just becoming active during our second week there). Some things to enjoy at the park:
- Hiking
- Biking
- Horseback riding
- Picnicking
- Archery
- Nature center and gift shop
Things to do in the area:
- Garden of the Gods
- Pike’s Peak
- Helen Hunt Falls
- Seven Bridges Trail
- Seven Falls
- Cave of the Winds
- Manitou Springs and Manitou Incline
- Red Rock Canyon
Mazama Campground, Crater Lake, OR
This campground is only open seasonally from June until September. The campground is nestled in an old-growth forest at 6,000 ft. (1,829 m) in elevation. There are 214 sites each with a picnic table, fire ring, and bear-resistant food locker. Crater Lake was formed by volcanic activity and the eventual collapse of Mount Mazama, creating a caldera which eventually filled in with snow and rainwater. Aside from this gorgeous lake, visitors can enjoy native plants (over 700 species here) and animals such as elk, black-tailed deer, black bear, mountain lion, and mule deer, pine marten, red fox, bobcat, striped skunk and coyotes… and pika, small critters that live on the rocky slopes and make a distinct “eep” sound. There are also 12 species of bats in the park as well as bald eagles, peregrine falcons and woodpeckers. Things to do:
- Hiking
- Boat and trolley tours
- Scenic rim drive
- Attend a ranger program
- Fishing
- Rim Village walking tour
Thank you for reading! Add your favorite campgrounds in the comments below!
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