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9 Most Amazing Places in the World to Go Tent Camping

Love to camp? While many will count a cozy cabin or a spacious RV as a camping trip, to some there is no other camping than the kind that takes place in a tent. From beautiful waterfront views to mountain backdrops, these top tent camping destinations are perfect for nature lovers. Consider one of these amazing places to pitch your tent and you’ll experience some of the best views on the planet.

Agua Verde, Loreto, Baja California, Mexico Loreto bays in the Sea of Baja California, Mexico
Credit: Loreto bays in the Sea of Baja California, Mexico by © Jesus Eloy Ramos Lara | Dreamstime.com

Agua Verde, Loreto, Baja California, Mexico

While some have called the road to Agua Verde “treacherous,” it doesn’t require four-wheel drive, and as long as you use common sense and take it slow, your reward will be the chance to enjoy a peaceful camping paradise on the Sea of Cortez, as few people ever visit. You’ll turn off on a dirt track south of Loreto and head west, winding up and down canyons, along rugged cliffs. Once you reach the end of the road, you’ll likely have the beach to yourself. While there is only a tiny corner store and nothing else in the tiny, remote fishing village of Agua Verde itself, not even Internet or phone service, you will find a tranquil refuge, fantastic fishing, birdwatching and hiking, along with tide pools to explore.

Hawaii Anahola Beach Park
Credit: Anahola Beach Park by Tom Clausen/shutterstock.com

Hawaii

While Hawaii is home to practically an endless number of luxurious resorts with ocean views, if you really want to get up close and personal to some of the most impressive scenery on the planet, camping in Hawaii is the way to go. Pitching a tent will also save you hundreds, or even thousands of dollars that you can use to take part in all sorts of activities, from sunset cruises and whale watching trips to flight-seeing and more. While most of the island campgrounds are free, in most cases you will still need to obtain a permit. Still, compared to that hotel rate, it’s a definite bargain. And, you’ll get to zip open your tent in the morning to some of the most incredible views of the dazzling Pacific.

Kirk Creek Campground - Big Sur, California  Kirk Creek Campground
Credit: Kirk Creek Campground by dret via Flickr

Kirk Creek Campground - Big Sur, California

One of the best places to camp in Big Sur along California’s breathtaking central coast, Kirk Creek Campground offers the chance to unzip your tent and wake up to the glistening waters of the Pacific. Perched just above the ocean, it doesn’t get much better than this. Campers will not only be able to soak up the amazing panoramic views but enjoy access to a picturesque cove and rocky beach below that’s known for jade discoveries, along with easy access to an abundance of trails that lead to majestic Redwoods, cascading falls, lush meadows, and streams. For a softer, sandier stretch of beach, head to Sand Dollar Beach, just five miles away.

Garden Key - Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida Dry Tortugas National park
Credit: Dry Tortugas National park by wikimedia.org

Garden Key - Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida

Dry Tortugas National Park, a remote series of islands located a scenic two-hour ferry ride from Key West, where dolphins and sea turtles are often spotted along the way, provides the ultimate tropical camping experience on Garden Key. This small, ten-site, primitive campground sheltered under the shade of mangrove trees, is right at the edge of azure waters, adjacent to lighthouses and historic forts. Not only can you camp right on the sand, but you can even enjoy one of the world’s largest barrier reef systems just steps away from your tent. Step into the calm, clear waters that are home to a wide variety of colorful fish, and get ready for some of the most outstanding snorkeling on the planet.

Jasper National Park - Alberta, Canada Spirit island in Maligne Lake, Jasper National Park.
Credit: Spirit island in Maligne Lake, Jasper National Park. by © Delstudio | Dreamstime.com

Jasper National Park - Alberta, Canada

If you want to be immersed in Rocky Mountain scenery, Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada is one of the best places in the world to camp. It’s impossible to get bored here, with such an extensive range of outdoor activities, including everything from hiking and fishing to kayaking, swimming and wildlife watching. Get back to nature by soaking up the majesty of the mountains, sparkling blue lakes, hot springs, waterfalls, and glaciers, while trekking across some of the park’s 600 miles of hiking trails.

The Isle of Aran, Scotland The Aran Islands
Credit: The Aran Islands by bigstock.com

The Isle of Aran, Scotland

Known as “Scotland in Miniature,” the Isle of Arran is just 166 square miles in size and a mirror image of the landscape found on the mainland. It also boasts sandy beaches, lots of wildlife, beautiful mountains and spectacular castles. Not only is this Scottish isle absolutely stunning, but it’s full of history — as in, it’s been inhabited since prehistory. There is a diverse array of landscapes, from idyllic beaches to rugged mountains and rolling hills – and, campers will have the opportunity to hike, sail, kayak, cycle around the island, or watch for birds like sea eagles, that are frequently spotted along the coastline.

Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya Maasai Mara
Credit: Maasai Mara by Bigstock.com

Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

With residents including one of the world’s largest lion populations, the Big 5, 570 species of birds, combined with being a prime spot for witnessing the great migration with over two million gazelle, wildebeest, and zebra passing through, pitching a tent in the Maasai Mara National Reserve of Kenya means spending your nights among all sorts of exotic creatures. From budget sites to luxurious tents, you’ll find numerous options for camping here, and no matter where you stay, you’ll get to be right in the heart of this wild landscape of grasslands and acacia trees, crocodile- and hippo-filled rivers.

Lake Myvtan Sunrise, winter at Lake Myvatn Nature Baths
Credit: Sunrise, winter at Lake Myvatn Nature Baths by © Gail Johnson - Dreamstime.com

Lake Myvtan

Despite what its name may lead you to believe, summer in Iceland brings mild weather that’s great for camping. But, if you can hold off until late September and put up with a little bit of a chill, you might be able to catch an unforgettable view of the Northern Lights. While you can technically camp almost anywhere in the country, it’s generally best to camp in sites designated for camping to avoid damaging delicate landscapes. Lake Myvatn in the north is an excellent choice. As it is a bird sanctuary, camping is only allowed in designated areas. Pitching your tent here feels like spending the night on another planet, among the bizarre, treeless landscapes and volcanic vents that puff little plumes of gas into the crisp air.

Tierra del Fuego, Chile Torres del Paine, Patagonia, Chile
Credit: Torres del Paine, Patagonia, Chile by bigstock.com

Tierra del Fuego, Chile

An outdoor adventurer’s dream, Tierra del Fuego is in the Patagonia region of Chile, one of the world’s most breathtaking regions – and, here you don’t even need a campground as rough camping is a way of life. Stock up on supplies in Ushuaia or Punta Arenas. From Radman at the border crossing between Chile and Argentina, narrow roads lead to Lago Blanco and Lago Ofhidro, which are ideal for camping and fishing. The wildlife is spectacular too, beavers are common, and you may even be able to watch them splash around right from your camp, while owls hang out on the roof of your vehicle and condors soar overhead.

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