COLORADO
1. Moraine Esplanade Campground, Rocky Abundance National Park
Elk, mule deer, and coyotes generally aberrate through the meadow abreast this campground, which has a backcountry feel admitting its adjacency to the road. The 2.3-mile Cub Basin Trail leads to a afraid pad–covered pond. Insider tip: Leave your car behind; starting on Memorial Day (May 25), summertime esplanade shuttles accommodate accessible admission to trails. Best for: Hiking Info: $20 (plus $20 esplanade admission fee per vehicle) Book it: recreation.gov
2. Pinyon Flats Campground, Great Beach Dunes National Park
In this park, beach dunes of up to 750 anxiety ― the tallest in North America ― are askew by the 13,000-foot peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Insider tip: During May runoff, Medano Creek becomes a basic baptize park, with gentle, kid-friendly flows. Best for: Families Info: $14 (plus $3 esplanade admission fee for adults 16 and up); no reservations; 719/378-6300
3. Big Creek Lakes Campground, Routt National Forest, Northwest of Walden
This alien 9,000-foot anchorage abreast the Wyoming bound boasts beyond-blue lakes and annoying summits abreast the Mt. Zirkel Wilderness. Insider tip: Backpack the abstinent Seven Lakes Trail 2 afar in; you’ll ability Big Creek Falls, breadth moose sightings are routine. Best for: Boating and fishing Info: $10; 970/723-8204 Book it: recreation.gov
4. Elk Run and Fisherman’s Paradise Campgrounds, Sylvan Basin State Park, Southeast of Eagle
An 8,500-foot aerial esplanade with aspen groves, meadows of wildflowers, a 42-acre lake, and big, big mountains. Insider tip: Canoes, sea kayaks, and paddleboats are accessible for hire actuality from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Best for: Fishing (though no motorboats) Info: $14 (plus $6 circadian per vehicle); 970/328-2021 Book it: reserveamerica.com
5. Hall Basin and Handcart Campgrounds, Pike National Forest, Northwest of Bailey
These high-country campsites are tucked into a densely forested basin alternate with wild-flowers and aspens. The North Fork of the South Platte River is aural earshot. Insider tip: Walk 1.4 afar to admission the super-scenic 2.4-mile Gibson Basin Trail, which climbs a abstinent 1,544 anxiety to its namesake lake. Best for: Hiking Info: $14; 303/275-5610 Book it:recreation.gov
6. Rosy Lane Campground, Gunnison National Forest, Northeast of Almont
Campsites are tucked below timberline canopies at Taylor River’s edge. Insider tip: Whitewater-rafting outfitters run the river daily. Best for: Fishing Info: From $18; 970/641-0471 Book it: recreation.gov
7. Saddlehorn Campground, Colorado National Monument
From your campsite, atom steep-walled canyons and crimson-colored rocks. Insider tip: Backpack the 6-mile Monument Coulee Trail to see signature bedrock formations. Best for: Hiking Info: $10 (plus $7 esplanade admission fee per vehicle); no reservations; 970/858-3617 ext. 360
8. Turquoise Basin Amusement Area, San Isabel National Forest, West of Leadville
Thick beloved forest, mountains, and an 1,800-acre basin beleaguer the eight campgrounds here, all at a air-conditioned 10,000-foot elevation. Insider tip: Bike the accessible 12-mile paved Mineral Belt Trail loop; it starts in city Leadville, 4 afar east of the lake. Best for: Beating the calefaction Info: From $14; 719/486-0749 Book it: recreation.gov
MONTANA
9. Apgar Campground, Glacier National Park
Campsites sit in a ache backwoods beside glacier-fed Basin McDonald, with Continental Divide peaks at the arch of the lake. Insider tip: The abundantly abrupt Going-to-the-Sun Alley over Logan Pass isn’t accessible to cars until June (and chargeless accessible bus tours alpha July 1), but a allocation opens to bikes and pedestrians in May. Best for: First-timers Info: $20 (plus $25 esplanade admission fee per vehicle); no reservations; 406/888-7800
10. Kintla Basin Campground, Glacier National Park
The quiet, not often awash bivouac sits by a tree-encircled basin with attractive abundance views, 40 afar from the Canadian border. Insider tip: Visit adjacent Polebridge Mercantile (406/888-5105) to accommodated locals and try bootleg huckleberry macaroons. Best for: Intimate, RV-free escapes Info: $15 (plus $25 esplanade admission fee per vehicle); no reservations; 406/888-7800
UTAH
11. Colorado Riverway, Moab
The Colorado flows added acclaim aloof south of Arches National Park, authoritative this breadth absolute for easygoing kayaking or float trips. Campsites cord out forth State 128, with cliffs on all sides. Insider tip: At Hal Coulee Campground, nab armpit 2 or 11 for abandoned riverfront. Best for: Rafting Info: $12; no reservations; 435/259-2100
12. Dead Horse Point State Park, Northwest of Canyonlands National Park
Perch your covering aloft a acropolis 2,000 anxiety aloft the Colorado River. Trails and angle of Canyonlands National Esplanade are aloof 20 account away. Insider tip: Rise aboriginal for the aurora over the 12,721-foot La Sal Mountains. Best for: Sunrises and sunsets Info: $20; 435/259-2614 Book it: reserveamerica.com
13. Devils Garden Campground, Arches National Park, North of Moab
Juniper-studded, red sandstone–carpeted sites at the alone bivouac in 76,519-acre Arches. Insider tip: Snag armpit 53 ― abaft a “fin,” a slickrock bedrock ― for privacy. Best for: Groups Info: $20 (plus $10 esplanade admission fee per vehicle); 435/719-2299 Book it: recreation.gov
14. Watchman Campground, Zion National Park
Towering sandstone formations accomplish up this aperture to Zion Canyon. Wade in the Virgin River; watch for agriculture deer at dark and dawn. Insider tip: Bring an covering for adumbration in summertime. Best for: Families Info: From $16 (plus $25 esplanade admission fee per vehicle); 435/772-3256 Book it: recreation.gov
15. Tanner’s Flat Campground, Little Cottonwood Canyon, Southeast of Salt Basin City
It’s alone 10 afar from Salt Basin City yet a apple away, with blubbery stands of aspen and ache at a 7,250-foot elevation. Insider tip: On Sunday morning, arch up the coulee to the Alta Lodge for its allegorical brunch (Sun brunch $22; 801/742-3500). Best for: Hiking and fishing Info: $18; 801/236-3400.
16. The Wedge Overlook, San Rafael Swell Amusement Area
Virtually bare angle of red bedrock country are the accolade for camping aloft the Little Grand Canyon. Insider tip: Follow breezy trails forth the coulee rim for your own dusk lightshow. BYO water. Best for: Vistas Info: Free; no reservations; 435/636-3600
WYOMING
17. Jenny Basin Campground, Grand Teton National Park
Pitch a covering abreast the basin at the abject of the Teton Range and abutting to Yellowstone National Park. Insider tip: Take the short, black acclivous backpack to 200-foot Hidden Falls. Best for: First-timers Info: $19 (plus $25 esplanade admission fee per vehicle); no reservations; gtlc.com or nps.gov/grte
18. Curtis Coulee Campground, Bridger-Teton National Forest, Northeast of Jackson
This little-known, bare-bones bivouac perches aloft a 6,600-foot acropolis amid the National Elk Refuge and the Gros Ventre Wilderness; sites attending out at the snow-covered Tetons. Insider tip: Before abrogation Jackson, grab a cup of locally broiled coffee at Jackson Hole Roasters ($; 307/699-3984). Best for: Wildlife-watching Info: $12; no reservations; 307/739-5400.
