Forest Camping

Immerse yourself in the forest. Towering trees, dappled sunlight, and the sounds of nature.

20+ Campgrounds4.6★ AverageBest: Year-round

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Forest Camping by State

Featured Campgrounds

Handpicked destinations that define the region

4.7

(299)

Douglas Fir Campground

Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Glacier, WA, WA

Centuries-old Douglas firs and hemlocks tower overhead, filtering sunlight onto riverside campsites where the North Fork Nooksack River flows through pristine old-growth forest.

Gualala Point Regional Park Campground

Gualala Point Regional Park
Gualala, CA

Towering redwoods and bay laurels form a cathedral canopy above your site, filtering coastal light into dappled patterns while miles of forest trails lead you from secluded riverside groves to windswept ocean bluffs.

Sequoia National Forest
Porterville, CA

Towering giant sequoias create a living cathedral overhead, their massive trunks dwarfing the tent sites nestled beneath their ancient branches. A melodic creek winds through camp while forest trails lead deeper into the sequoia groves, where sunlight filters through the canopy onto a...

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About This Landscape

Forest camping offers some of the most serene and rejuvenating outdoor experiences across America's diverse woodland landscapes, from ancient old-growth groves to towering redwood cathedrals. The United States harbors an extraordinary variety of forest ecosystems, each providing unique camping opportunities beneath canopies that range from the massive Douglas firs of the Pacific Northwest to the giant sequoias of the Sierra Nevada, the lush temperate rainforests of the Olympic Peninsula, and the hardwood forests of the Appalachian Mountains.

Best Time

The optimal season for forest camping varies significantly by region and elevation, with most temperate forest campgrounds offering their best experiences from late spring through early fall when access roads are clear and temperatures are moderate. Pacific Northwest and Northern California coastal forests provide year-round camping opportunities, though winter brings increased rainfall and the possibility of road closures at higher elevations.

Scenery Highlights

Towering tree canopies
Shaded, cool campsites
Diverse wildlife viewing
Peaceful woodland atmosphere

More Forest Camping

Discover 17 additional top-rated campgrounds for forest camping

4.6

(530)

Standing Indian Campground

National Forests in North Carolina
Franklin, NC

Towering evergreens and ancient rhododendrons create a dense canopy where dappled sunlight filters onto mossy forest floors, while black bears and wild turkeys roam the surrounding wilderness.

Hearts Content Recreation Area

Allegheny National Forest
Bradford, PA

Towering white pines and ancient hemlocks create a rare old-growth canopy where dappled sunlight filters through centuries-old branches, sheltering campsites in year-round natural shade.

Ohanapecosh Campground

Mount Rainier National Park
Packwood, WA

Towering old-growth Douglas firs create a cathedral of emerald shadows where dappled sunlight filters through centuries-old canopies and the Ohanapecosh River provides a constant, soothing soundtrack.

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest
Springerville, AZ

Towering ponderosa pines and Douglas firs create a dense canopy at 9,000 feet, filtering sunlight onto 165 campsites nestled among aspens that shimmer gold each autumn.

Olympic National Forest
Quinault, Washington

Towering Sitka spruce, Douglas-fir, and western red cedar create a cathedral of ancient trees, their canopy filtering sunlight onto moss-draped forest floors and unfurling ferns below.

Hoh Rainforest Campground

Olympic National Park
Forks, WA

Towering Sitka spruces and hemlocks draped in emerald moss create a cathedral canopy so dense it filters sunlight into an enchanted green glow. Roosevelt elk wander misty forest trails where every surface breathes with ferns, lichens, and the whisper of glacier-fed rivers.

Paradise Creek Campground

Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Carson, WA

Towering old-growth cedars and Douglas firs create a dense canopy above moss-covered forest floors, where filtered sunlight dances through the branches and wildlife thrives in the ancient woodland.

Mill Creek Campground

Redwood National and State Parks
Crescent City, CA, CA

Towering bigleaf maples and coast redwoods form a cathedral canopy that filters sunlight into dancing patterns across your campsite. Miles of trails lead through old-growth groves and fern-draped hillsides while Mill Creek tumbles nearby, inviting streamside exploration beneath the...

4.5

(304)

Beckler River Campground

Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Skykomish, WA, WA

Towering Douglas firs and western red cedars create a living cathedral overhead, filtering sunlight into golden shafts that illuminate moss-covered trails along the crystalline Beckler River.

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Campground Locations

Showing top 20 campgrounds near Forest Camping Nationwide

Map of campgrounds near Forest Camping Nationwide

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Map Key

Douglas Fir Campground

Gualala Point Regional Park Campground

Belknap

Standing Indian Campground

Hearts Content Recreation Area

Ohanapecosh Campground

Rainbow (Az)

Willaby Campground

Hoh Rainforest Campground

Paradise Creek Campground

Mill Creek Campground

Beckler River Campground

Upper Canyon Creek Campground

Staircase Campground

Rocky Knob Campground

Stony Creek Sequoia

Singletree

Potato Patch Campground

Newhalem Creek Campground

Bumping Lake Campground

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Plan Your Trips

Popular Activities

Forest bathing and nature meditation among ancient treesHiking through old-growth groves and forest trailsWildlife watching for owls, woodpeckers, deer, and forest mammalsPhotography of towering trees, filtered light, and forest detailsBirdwatching in diverse forest canopy layersCreek and river fishing in forested watersheds

Tips & Recommendations

1Reserve forest campgrounds well in advance during peak season, especially for iconic locations like those near giant sequoia groves or old-growth stands, as these limited sites often book up six months ahead on recreation.gov.
2Bring layers and warm sleeping gear even in summer, as forest canopies trap cool air and temperatures can drop significantly at night, particularly at higher elevations or in dense old-growth areas.
3A quality rain fly or tarp is essential in Pacific Northwest and coastal forest locations where morning fog and afternoon showers are common even during dry months.
4Consider bringing a headlamp with red-light mode to preserve night vision while navigating between towering trees after dark, and always use established trails to protect sensitive root systems and forest floor ecology.

20 campgrounds ranked

Based on real camper reviews

Curated for Forest Camping

Forest Camping FAQ

Forest campgrounds offer shaded sites, diverse wildlife, peaceful woodland settings, and connection with nature. Towering trees provide natural cooling in summer, and the forest ecosystem supports excellent hiking and wildlife viewing.

America offers diverse forest camping from Pacific Northwest old-growth to Southern pine forests, Eastern hardwoods to Rocky Mountain conifers. Each region offers unique ecosystems, wildlife, and camping experiences.

We list 20+ forest campgrounds across National Forests, State Parks, and private lands throughout America. From dispersed camping to full-amenity campgrounds.