These Are the West’s Best Campsites, According to People Who Actually Camp There

Camping, while wonderful, is always a bit of a schlep. Between organizing crowd-approved campfire meals to finding a spot you can actually book, it can be a commitment. Which is why it’s important that when you do it, you do it right. And that starts with picking the right campsite. The Dyrt just released its 2026 Best Places to Camp list, and if you want to know what’s genuinely worth the drive, this is a great place to start. Their data comes from hundreds of thousands of campers, and many of the spots are located right here in the West. Here are the highest rated, according to their most recent data. 

Valley of the Gods, Utah 

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A 17-mile loop of red rock formations and Cedar Mesa sandstone buttes is located on BLM land near Mexican Hat. Pull your rig into any of the scattered dispersed sites and you’re camping in what locals call a miniature Monument Valley. There are no amenities and no fees, just sandstone sentinels and silence.

Thomas J. Story

Elkamp Eastcreek, Washington 

Situated in a forested corridor near Mineral, Washington, this campground is a practical staging point for the south side of Mount Rainier National Park, with the Nisqually entrance just a short drive away. Sites mix tall second-growth conifers with an open meadow, and a creek runs through the grounds. The restrooms are exceptionally clean, and campers consistently praise the owners’ attention to detail.

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Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park Campground, California 

This is the only campground in Redwood National and State Parks with big lowland redwoods right there in the camp. The Smith River runs nearby and there are world-class redwood hikes within walking distance. Amenities include showers and flush toilets. But spots are limited, so expect to fight for riverside sites.

Thomas J. Story

Navajo National Monument Canyon View Campground, Arizona 

This campsite offers free camping at 7,300 feet on the rim of Tsegi Canyon, with views of the surrounding canyon landscape. Hiking trails lead directly from the campground to ancient Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. Pit toilets and picnic tables; no water, no fires allowed, but the starry nights and canyon solitude compensate for the primitiveness.

Shavano Mountain, Colorado

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Shavano Mountain offers free dispersed camping near varied terrain with elevations that provide expansive views. You can camp here for up to 14 days without fees or reservations, though amenities are limited and there’s no drinking water available. Salida is 20 minutes away for resupply, and the solitude is genuine.