If you have a spirit for adventure and love being completely immersed in nature, then it doesn’t get much better than going on a camping trip. With nothing but a piece of fabric between you and the elements, camping brings us closer to the real world, the natural world.
Nothing beats having a bonfire under the dazzling stars or waking up to the sun rising over a beach or a mountain with a coffee in hand.Whether you are into mountains and hiking, beaches, deserts or the jungle, there are incredible camping destinations around the world that offer all of these landscapes and so much more!
Experience the great outdoors this year and tick one of these beautiful camping destinations off your bucket list.
1. Aoraki National Park, New Zealand
New Zealand is world-renowned for being one of the best places to camp in the entire world. This is one of the most camping-friendly countries on the planet where you can pitch a tent almost anywhere. The variety of landscapes to choose from will have you spoilt for choice.
The best part is, New Zealand has a ‘Freedom Camping’ system which allows you to stay on specified public land for free as long as you meet certain requirements. There are also an abundance of government-run campsites that offer incredible camping options for very little money.
New Zealand is home to jaw-dropping landscapes from top to bottom but the Aoraki (Mount Cook) National Park takes the camping cake. This park contains the countries highest mountain and is surrounded by the most stunning and rugged scenery that New Zealand has to offer.
There are plenty of campgrounds for you to choose from in this national park. The views from your tent are guaranteed not to disappoint!
2. Devon, England
Devon is located in the southwest of England and it feels like an entirely different country from the rest of the UK. The rugged coastline is home to some epic campsites. Dartmoor and Exmoor offer prime locations to pitch your tent with incredible views of the Atlantic ocean. This is a great option for campers who also love to surf!
3. Hossa National Park, Finland
Hossa National Park in Finland is in the Northeast and is renowned for being wild. Home to a rugged landscape of rivers, lakes and forests, this is the place for those who really want to get ‘into the wild’. The park is perfect for those who love to be close to nature without all of the amenities, they welcome wild campers with open arms. The park is also dotted with shelters and rustic cabins, the perfect place for a bonfire under the stars!
4. Zion National Park, Utah, USA
Zion is one of the most incredible national parks that the expansive USA has to offer and is certainly the most spectacular in the Southwest. Expect red sandstone cliffs, rugged canyons and plateaus. This is camping heaven in America. There are two established campgrounds, Watchmen and South. If you’d prefer to be away from people and facilities, you are able to get a permit to wild camp overnight at one of the other wilderness campsites deeper inside the park.
5. Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
Vancouver Island is world-renowned for being a nature and adventure lovers paradise, with some of the most beautiful scenery imaginable. So it is no surprise that this is also one of the best places to go camping in the world! The diverse ecosystem is mind-blowing and wild, especially the further north you go. The Pacific Rim National Park and the West Coast Trail are two of the best spots to pitch a tent.
6. Jasper National Park, Canada
Jasper National Park in Alberta is a huge expanse that makes for an unforgettable camping destination. At this national park, there are options for wild campers as well as glampers alike with cosy cabins and tents. Some of the coolest things to do in this national park are boating on Maligne Lake, limestones walls at the Maligne Canyon, glaciers at Icefields Parkway and so much more!
7. Patagonia in Argentina and Chile
One of the most famous outdoor and adventure brands was named after this area so it is no surprise that Patagonia landed on our list of the best camping destinations in the world. At the tip of South America, spanning Argentina and Chile lies Patagonia.
The mountainous, icy, dry and extreme landscapes of Patagonia are as wild as it gets. Adventuring, hiking and camping through these lands is one of the most epic experiences that planet earth has to offer. Patagonia is dotted with campsites with pristine landscapes, tower mountains, incredible wildlife and so much to explore.
If you love camping and adventure but are after a bit more comfort then EcoCamp Patagonia in the Torres del Paine National Park in Chile may be a perfect balance.
Stay in comfortable domes that give you a sense of being outside, allowing you to enjoy some of the most beautiful peaks in the world.
8. Simien Mountains, Ethiopia
The Simien Mountains are a recognised UNESCO World Heritage Site and it's not surprising to see why! The jagged canyons, valleys, cliffs and mountains will simply take your breath away. There is also amazing wildlife to be spotted including monkeys, wolves and rare birds. This incredible landscape is Ethiopia's most popular trekking destination and is best explored via a guided trek, sleeping under canvas in the park’s basic campgrounds.
9. Tasmania, Australia
Australia is another all-around world famous camping destination, where people love to explore the vast expanse via Campervan. Our top pick for camping in Australia however is Tasmania. Over 40% of this rugged island on the southeast coast tip of the country is protected by national parks and reserves.
There are plenty of untouched and totally wild areas that are littered with campgrounds that come with insane backdrops. Popular spots in Tasmania include the highlands of Cradle Mountain, Lake St Clair National Park and the coastline of the Tasman Peninsula.
10. Ladakh, India
When you think of India, you may not think of vast, deserted, mountainous and uninhabited landscapes, perfect for pitching a tent. But that is exactly what you will find in Ladakh. Ladakh is a high-altitude region in Jammu and Kashmir which is also known as the desert in the sky. The mountain passes that connect Ladakh to the southern part of India are only open for a couple of months a year during summer (the rest of the time it is much too cold & extreme!). Ladakh is one of the most famous places in India to go on a Royal Enfield motorbike trip as well!
In this region, you will find a campground of pre-erected tents or if you have more of a brave and adventurous spirit you can carry on and camp on your own. Camping in this part of India is a rare experience that will take you right off the beaten track and allow you to experience a different side of India that is heavily influenced by Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism. Alongside the treacherous roads, lakes, valleys and mountains you can explore remote monasteries and meet locals in tiny villages. Not only is this region stunning, but it also has a vibration of spiritual grace that is sure to touch your heart.
11. Sahale Glacier Camp, Washington, USA
The Sahale Glacier Camp is one of the best campsites in the entire US National Park system! Campsites are nestled among striking rock walls which can only be reached by hiking through the North Cascades National Park. Now that sounds like an intrepid adventure! Once you reach the campground you will be sleeping right next to the Sahale Glacier deep in the mountains of the North Cascades.
12. Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica
Corcovado National Park in Costa Rica is a lush and biologically diverse place to camp and explore. If warm jungles, beaches, waterfalls and wildlife are more up your alley over treacherous mountains, this may be the camping spot for you! This national park has 13 different ecosystems, jaw-dropping waterfalls and an amazing array of wildlife to keep you awe-inspired the entire time.
Experience the wonder and magic of the jungle and the beach in a fully immersive way. Your campsite here may feel remote but you will in fact be sharing with howler monkeys, tiger herons, sloths and if you’re lucky, a puma!
13. Tartaruga Camping, Zakynthos, Greece
Tartaruga Camping in Greece is another incredible camping spot that is for those who love the beach but also love to camp. The campsite is nestled in an Olive grove with the most stunning view of the Bay of Laganas. Stay here for the perfect balance of warm beach relaxation, adventure and immersion in nature.
Near this camp ground you can snorkel with sea turtles or catch a boat to the tiny island of Marathonisi. There is even a mini-market and restaurant near-by so you don’t have to be overly prepared to enjoy camping here.
14. Denali National Park in Alaska, USA
At Denali National Park in Alaska expect to find the most beautiful scenery that the US has to offer right out the front of your tent. Explore creeks, mountains, wildlife, flora and fauna all set against the backdrop of Denali which is the tallest peak in North America.
There are several different campsites to choose from in the park with more remote options for adventure seekers.
15. Sardinia, Italy
Sardinia is an Italian island in the Mediterranean sea. This spectacular island is relatively untouched by mass tourism, making it a haven for adventure lovers who also love the sea and warm weather. Expect to find a landscape filled with mountains, dramatic coastlines and of course sensational white sand beaches and crystal clear blue seas.
Camping in Sardinia allows you to choose whether you go on an adventure to explore the beautiful landscapes or simply walk from your tent out onto some of the most beautiful beaches the world has to offer for swimming and relaxing. You can also explore the beautiful small villages on the island and enjoy the spectacular Sardinian cuisine.
16. Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, Africa
If you have an African Safari on your bucket list, look no further than Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. This reserve is one of the most memorable places you could possibly go for a camping and safari excursion.
Inside this reserve, there is so much nature and wildlife to explore that will blow you away. Go on nature hikes to spot wildlife, visit the hippo pools, experience a big cat safari and the wildebeest, gazelle and zebra migration (July - October). You can even go on a hot air balloon ride over the expansive African landscape.
You can camp along the banks of the Mara River and experience the local culture of the Maasai people. This location will give you a once in a lifetime experience of nature, wildlife and culture!
