There are thousands and thousands of excellent camping areas to choose from throughout the world and these 10 look to be amongst the most popular with outdoor enthusiasts during 2012.
1. Alaska, USA – Denali National Park
(photo credit: blmiers2)
Denali offers seven different campgrounds throughout the amazing park and they’re located in all sorts of pristine landscapes. You’ll be able to sleep under the stars while surrounded by alpine forests, glacial mountain ranges, and crystal-clear lakes and rivers. You’ll be sharing the land with a range of animals such as moose, grizzly bears, black bears, sheep, wolves, and marmots.
2. Kenya, Africa – Maasai Mara National Reserve
(photo credit: teachandlearn)
This reserve will provide you with memories you’ll never forget. The area has several options when it comes to sleeping. You can choose from inexpensive campgrounds top luxurious and exotic tents. In addition, you can purchase camping packages which come with meals and safaris. The Mara Reserve is famous for its lions, gazelles, zebras, and giraffes.
3. Alberta, Canada – Jasper National Park
(photo credit: redeo)
This is Canada’s largest Rocky Mountain national park and has been a World Heritage Site since 1984. It’s one of the nation’s best sites for hiking, camping, fishing, rafting, and kayaking. You’ll find several wonderful campgrounds to select from and they all come with bear-proof lockers and firewood.
4. Maui, Hawaii, USA – Haleakala National Park
(photo credit: dkenyon)
Camping out in Haleakala National Park is a treat for any visitor to Maui. The most popular feature of the park is definitely the historic Haleakala volcano. This is an ideal location for hiking and just relaxing by watching the stars at night and the beautiful sunrises. If you head deeper into the park, you’ll come to the rainforest area of Kipahulu. From here, you can hike over to Waimoku Falls. Outdoor camping is popular and there are cabins available.
5. New South Wales, Australia – Blue Mountains National Park
(photo credit: yewenyi)
This scenic park sits quite close to the popular city of Sydney and is considered to be one of the nation’s top camping spots. The park sits on a plateau and is filled with waterfalls and jagged cliffs as well as mountain biking and rock climbing opportunities. There are several different campgrounds to choose from.
6. Montana, USA – Glacier National Park
(photo credit: karynsig)
This magnificent national park touches the American/Canadian border and is home to hundreds of clear lakes, two mountain ranges, and a wide variety of flora and fauna. You can camp out in the park on a first-come, first-served system. You’ll find about 700 miles of hiking trails here and the fly-fishing is among the best in the world.
7. Sangla, India – Sangla Valley
(photo credit: Lihi Koren)
One of the most popular camping areas here is the Banjara Camps and Retreats. This is luxury camping at its best. You can select from enclosed cabins and fully furnished tents. This region is home to the beautiful Baspa River as well as the famous and spectacular Himalayan Mountains. The fishing and hiking are exceptional and you’ll be able to visit some nearby Buddhist monasteries and temples.
8. Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada – Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
(photo credit: teamboost)
This attractive national park consists of three main areas, which are The Broken Group Islands, West Coast Trail, and Long Beach. It’s one of the province’s most popular camping destinations. You can camp out on sandy beaches, in the deep wilderness, and in traditional campgrounds. The park offers some fantastic swimming, surfing, kayaking, and hiking.
9. Cotopaxi, Ecuador – Cotopaxi National Park
(photo credit: jorgebrazil)
This park is one of the best you’ll find anywhere south of the equator. You’ll see the snow-capped Cotopaxi volcano, rolling hills, and wild llamas when hiking the park. You can choose from short trails to multi-day hikes and camping trips. Other popular activities here include mountain biking and horseback riding.
10. Cumbria, England – Lake District National Park
(photo credit: ennor)
This is England’s biggest national park and one of the most popular. You’ll come across majestic mountains, clear lakes, and a lot of lush green landscapes. The camping here is second to none and you can choose from traditional wilderness camping to the more luxurious type in a caravan or motor home. There are dozens of campgrounds available in the park where you’ll be able to enjoy canoeing, swimming, rock climbing and many other activities.
