Campgrounds for backpackers in Western USA

Camp Ikigai at Ikigai Animal Sanctuary

• Stay at a 72-acre California animal sanctuary and historic goldmine
• A half-hour drive to Kings Canyon National Park entrance
• Naturist-friendly site with hiking trails and a communal firepit

Musick Creek Falls

• Nearly wild camping 15 minutes’ drive from Shaver Lake in California
• General Washington Tree and China Peak ski resort 45 minutes’ drive
• Private pitches with waterfall views and outdoor activities available

Campe Diem

• Peaceful wild-style campsite in Costilla County, Colorado
• A 10-minute drive from Fort Garland; San Luis 20 minutes
• A 65-acre property with exceptional sunsets, sunrises and stargazing

Benton RV Park and Campground

• Four blocks from the Missouri river, in the town of Fort Benton
• Close to historic attractions and river-based activities
• Free wifi, horseshoes game, barbecue areas and picnic tables

Tolsona Wilderness Campground

• Creekside site surrounded by woods, 15 minutes' drive from Glenallan
• A mile from Tolsona mud volcano; a half-hour drive from Copper Center
• Theme events and kids' activities on summer weekends

Allicins Ranch

• Pitches on a small organic garlic farm in the Kootenai Valley
• Forest setting 45 minutes' drive from Canadian border
• Volunteering opportunities, plus pond with rope swing

Cedar Creek RV Park

• Small, well-maintained and peaceful family-owned park
• Five minutes' drive from Montrose and 20 from the Black Canyon
• Creek, dog-walking area, firewood sales and free vintage golf course

Country Lane River Resort

• In spectacular surroundings near Kingston in Idaho's northwest
• On the North Fork of the Coeur D'Alene River
• Restaurant with home-cooked meals and full bar

Mountain Valley Lodge and RV Park

• For birdwatchers, one of only two trogon nesting places in the U.S.
• Views over Chiricahua Mountain, home to hundreds of bird species
• Desert oasis

Crater Lake Resort

• Peaceful creekside park just off Highway 62 near Fort Klamath
• A 10-minute drive from the Crater Lake National Park boundary
• Family-friendly park with fishing, free canoes and snowshoe outings

Shadow Hills RV Resort

• Family-run resort in California, a 10-minute drive from Coachella
• A half-hour drive from Mt San Jacinto and Joshua Tree wilderness areas
• Heated outdoor pool and gym, clubhouse with kitchen; festival bus

Sourdough Campground RV Park and Café

• Forest site in the small town of Tok, famed for its sled dogs
• Café serving home-cooked breakfast, dinner and baked goods
• Close to outdoor activities including fishing, hiking and canoeing

The Eyrie Farm

• Farming homestead with poultry in an agricultural neighbourhood
• A five-minute drive from Ramona wineries; 35 minutes from Julian
• Horses and other animals on site; cafés, shops and restaurants nearby

Little Heaven Ranch

• Off-the-grid Arizona site 35 minutes' drive from the Grand Canyon
• A 40-minute drive to Williams and an hour to Flagstaff
• Bottled water and firewood on site; campfires and dogs allowed

LOGE Westport

• Westport, Washington site 15 minutes’ walk from a surfing beach
• Sea-fishing charters and Westport Harbour Marina 10 minutes’ drive
• Café and work stations available along with board and wetsuit hire

Cross D Bar Trout Ranch

• Fishing site surrounded by the Sangre De Cristo mountains
• Fish for trophy-sized trout: no licence needed
• Snack bar and free wifi

Chinook Bend Resort and Marina

• Peaceful riverside site with boat and kayak hire
• On 85 acres along the Oregon coast, three miles from the Pacific Ocean
• Clubhouse, two shops, salmon fishing and petting zoo

Shared Abundance Organic Farm

GoodVibes Ranch and Farm