Planning your first camping trip starts with one essential step — finding and booking the right campsite. Knowing what to look for before you arrive can make all the difference between a stressful experience and a truly enjoyable one.
Most state and national park campsites can be found and reserved through a handful of trusted platforms. It is recommended to book as early as possible, as popular sites, especially during summer weekends tend to fill up quickly. If you have not yet made a reservation, do not be discouraged. There are still options available, including first come first serve campgrounds.
recreation.gov (best for national parks and federal lands)
reserveamerica.com (best for state parks)
koa.com - KOA Campgrounds (great for beginners, very well equipped with excellent facilities)
Upon arrival, most campgrounds will provide you with a map of the grounds. Take a moment to review it carefully. Use it to identify the locations of restrooms, shower facilities, water spigots, dishwashing stations and the camp store if one is available. Choosing a campsite that suits your needs starts with understanding the layout of the campground.
If you plan to cook during your trip, it is worth selecting a campsite that is reasonably close to a water source or water spigot. These are available at most campgrounds for washing dishes, produce and cooking equipment. Keep in mind that water spigots at campgrounds are intended for cleaning purposes only and are not suitable for drinking or cooking. Always bring your own drinking water supply.
Before finalizing your booking it is a good idea to confirm the following:
🚿 Showers — Most campgrounds offer shower facilities, the majority of which provide hot water. It is always worth confirming this in advance.
🚻 Restrooms — Campground restrooms are generally well maintained and better equipped than most first time campers expect.
🏪 Camp Store — If the campground has a camp store, check the operating hours before your arrival. This can be particularly helpful if you run low on firewood, camp stove fuel or any other supplies during your stay.
When selecting your campsite, please be mindful to leave designated accessible campsites available for guests who require them. There are plenty of wonderful options for all campers throughout every campground.
This guide is part of the Camping For Beginners series by Getaway On Wheels. Follow along on TikTok and Instagram at @getawayonwheels for new episodes and more camping tips 🏕️🩷