PORTLAND, Ore. – The Dyrt has announced the 2026 Best Places to Camp Near Water, presented by Women Who Explore, according to a press release.
Camping can be great regardless of location and terrain, but for some people there’s nothing better than setting up a tent or parking a rig right next to a crystal-clear lake or winding river. Leisure activities that a body of water makes possible are nearly endless — fishing, swimming, boating, kayaking, skipping rocks and enjoying the view are just a few. Water is the perfect camping companion as it can be the setting for the day’s main activities or just provide the backdrop for rest and relaxation.
“Lakes and rivers are a main co-star for a great camping experience,” says The Dyrt CEO Kevin Long. “It’s a perfect setting for that first cup of coffee in the morning and dinner at night. It’s how you cool off when you get back to the campsite after a long hike. It’s where boaters and kayakers and fishermen do their thing and where kids splash and laugh and have the time of their lives. And who doesn’t love falling asleep to the soothing sounds of a flowing river?”
Best Places to Camp Near Water recognizes the top campgrounds in the country rated highly by The Dyrt Community that are located on a lake or pond or alongside a river. The bodies of water on this list all contribute greatly to the appeal and allure of these campgrounds.
The Dyrt’s 2026 Best Places to Camp Near Water Presented by Women Who Explore
- Jenny Lake Campground — Grand Teton National Park — Wyo.
- Mistletoe State Park Campground — Ga.
- Temperance River State Park Campground — Minn.
- Bowman Lake Campground — Glacier National Park — Mont.
- Lake Ouachita State Park Campground — Ark.
- Sylvan Lake Campground — Custer State Park — S.D.
- Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area Campground — Ariz.
- Prospector Campground — Colo.
- Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park Campground — Calif.
- Ricketts Glen State Park Campground — Penn.
It’s always important to check local rules and regulations about which activities are allowed or permitted at each campground.
