Fishing Campgrounds

Wake up to the sound of rushing water and spend your days casting lines in pristine fishing waters. Lake, river, and stream access for every angler.

20+ Campgrounds4.7★ AverageBest: Spring through Fall (April-October)

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Fishing Campgrounds by State

Explore 25 state guides with curated campgrounds

Featured Campgrounds

Handpicked destinations that define the region

4.6

(820)

Convict Lake Campground

Inyo National Forest
Crowley Lake, CA

Crystal-clear alpine waters teem with stocked rainbow and brown trout that draw anglers back season after season. Launch your boat with an electric motor from the accessible ramp, then cast your line against a backdrop of dramatic Sierra peaks reflected in the glassy surface.

Quartz Creek Campground

Chugach National Forest
Seward, AK

Anglers cast their lines where Quartz Creek spills into Kenai Lake, chasing world-renowned salmon runs and trophy-sized rainbow trout through Alaska's pristine waters.

San Juan National Forest
CO

Vallecito Creek flows directly through camp, delivering wilderness-quality fishing for rainbow, cutthroat, and brook trout right from your tent door. The flies-and-lures-only regulation protects a thriving trout population that draws anglers back season after season.

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About This Activity

The best fishing campgrounds put you steps from the water with easy boat access or good shore fishing spots. Look for campgrounds on lakes, rivers, or streams known for the species you're targeting. Check if there's a fish cleaning station, boat ramp, and bait shop nearby.

Best Time

Dawn and dusk are prime feeding times. Spring: fish afternoon as water warms. Summer: early morning before heat. Fall: best overall - fish feed heavily pre-winter.

Activity Highlights

Direct lake and river access
Boat launches and marinas
Fish cleaning stations
Local fishing guides available

More Fishing Campgrounds

Discover 17 additional top-rated fishing campgrounds

4.7

(402)

Rainbow (Az)

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest
Springerville, AZ

Anglers cast lines into Big Lake's pristine waters for four distinct trout species—rainbow, cutthroat, brook, and the prized Apache trout. The lake's consistent fishing action draws devoted anglers back season after season, with countless coolers filled during summer mornings on the water.

Center Hill Lake
Lancaster, TN

Rainbow and brown trout thrive in the cold tailwaters below Center Hill Dam, drawing fly fishers and spin casters to the Caney Fork River's productive currents.

Tyee Campground - Umpqua River

North Umpqua Wild and Scenic River
Roseburg, OR

The legendary Umpqua River delivers runs of chinook and coho salmon, steelhead, and bass that draw anglers back season after season. Direct riverside access puts you steps from your campsite to prime fishing holes where the current sweeps through deep pools teeming with trophy fish.

Philipsburg Bay Campground

Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
Philipsburg, MT

Anglers cast lines into 3,000-acre Georgetown Lake, where kokanee salmon leap alongside rainbow and brook trout in crystal-clear mountain waters. The on-site boat launch grants sunrise access to prime fishing spots, with campers consistently returning with coolers full of their daily catch.

Riverside (Id - Targhee)

Caribou-Targhee National Forest
Ashton, ID

Henry's Fork of the Snake River flows directly alongside camp, delivering legendary fly-fishing where rainbow and brook trout rise in crystalline currents.

Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee NG
Red Feather Lakes, CO

Anglers cast lines for four trout species—brown, brook, cutthroat, and lake trout—with rainbow trout occasionally surprising lucky fishers in these cold mountain waters.

Mouth Of Two Hearted River State Forest Campground

Newberry, MI

Cast your line where the legendary Two-Hearted River meets Lake Superior, targeting seasonal runs of salmon and steelhead in waters made famous by Hemingway. The onsite boat launch lets you explore miles of pristine river channels and rocky shoreline that few anglers ever reach.

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest
Springerville, AZ

Anglers cast lines into Big Lake's pristine waters mere steps from their campsites, pursuing rainbow, cutthroat, brook, and Apache trout in one of Arizona's premier mountain fisheries.

Bennett Spring State Park
MO

Rainbow trout glide through crystal-clear spring waters that bubble up at 110 million gallons daily, creating Missouri's most legendary trout stream with regular stocking for consistent catches.

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Campground Locations

Showing top 20 campgrounds near Fishing Campgrounds Nationwide

Map of campgrounds near Fishing Campgrounds Nationwide

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Map Key

Convict Lake Campground

Quartz Creek Campground

Vallecito Campground

Rainbow (Az)

Long Branch

Tyee Campground - Umpqua River

Philipsburg Bay Campground

Riverside (Id - Targhee)

Dowdy Lake

Mouth Of Two Hearted River State Forest Campground

Grayling

1 Campground

Cottonshed Park (Ar)

Wallace Creek

Big Meadows Reservoir Campground (South Central Co)

Chapman Campground And Group

Upper Canyon Creek Campground

Kirby Landing

Rayburn

Tailwater West Campground

View all 20 campgrounds on interactive map

Plan Your Trips

Popular Activities

Lake and river fishing for trout, bass, salmon, and panfishFly fishing in mountain streams and tailwatersBoat fishing with electric or gas motorsShore fishing from campground access pointsKayak and canoe fishing in calm watersHiking to remote fishing holes and backcountry streams

Tips & Recommendations

1Always purchase required fishing licenses before arriving—most states offer online purchasing, but some remote areas lack cell service for last-minute purchases.
2Research specific water regulations as many premium fisheries have special rules: Vallecito Creek requires artificial flies and lures only, while catch-and-release regulations protect wild trout populations in many Western streams.
3Bring versatile tackle as conditions change—pack both spinning and fly fishing gear if you're skilled with both, and include a variety of lures, flies, and bait options appropriate for your target species.
4Check dam generation schedules for tailwater fisheries like Tennessee's Caney Fork River, as water releases dramatically affect fishing conditions and safety.

20 campgrounds ranked

Based on real camper reviews

Curated for Fishing Campgrounds

Fishing Campgrounds FAQ

The best fishing campgrounds offer direct water access to lakes, rivers, or streams. Look for boat launches, fish cleaning stations, bait shops nearby, and campgrounds known for specific fish species you want to catch.

Yes, most states require a valid fishing license. Requirements vary by state, age, and residency status. Many campgrounds sell licenses or can direct you to nearby vendors. Always check local regulations before your trip.

We list 20+ fishing campgrounds across the USA. Filter by water type (lake, river, stream), amenities, and location to find your perfect fishing spot.