Ahhh. Nothing is quite as exciting and scary as a bucket list. Think about it. You create a list that you want to complete before you kick the bucket – who knows if you’ll ever complete it. If you haven’t yet started your list, start living and create one. If you have started a bucket list, I’m going to encourage you to add to it. While I’m not going to tell you to jump out of a plane or bungee jump, it’s still going to require you to see the world from a different view. I’d like to introduce to you, The Ultimate Camping Bucket List.

The Ultimate Camping Bucket List ✓

1. Havasupai Waterfall, AZ. If you only make it to a few places on the bucket list, make sure Havasupai Falls is one of them. Havasupai Falls (also known as Havasu Falls) is literally paradise on Earth. Once there, you may think you’ve stumbled on a hidden gem in a magical Hawaiian forest; in reality, though, you’re just in a remote canyon of Arizona. The journey to the falls takes a great deal of hiking, but I can assure you the reward is worth it. Lastly, if you think the pictures are beautiful, you should see it in person. It is absolutely breathtaking.
2. Bridger-Teton National Forest, WY. Imagine pristine watersheds, abundant wildlife and immense wildlands. Now imagine that with a fantasy-like atmosphere. What do you see? You’re probably dreaming of Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming. This beautiful terrain is studded with glaciers, lush alpine meadows, limestone peaks and hundreds of miles of rivers and streams.
3. Pfieffer Big Sur State Park, CA. Located on the western slopes of San Lucia Mountains, Pfieffer Big Sur State Park is a place where the land, the sea, and forests of giant redwoods adjoin in a rugged landscape jigsaw puzzle. Known for its serenity and peacefulness of its forests and water, Pfieffer Big Sur State Park is loved by all.
4. Olympic National Park, WA. Located in Pacific Northwest region of Washington is a magical park that sprawls across several different ecosystems. Whether it’s the dramatic peaks of the mountains, to old-growth forests, you’re surely to fall in love at first sight of Olympic National Park. Whether you’re a rock climber or backpacker (or both), you’ll be busy for hours. Olympic National Park has many hiking and backpacking trails throughout the park’s rainforests and along its Pacific coastline.
5. Crater Lake National Park, OR. Believe it or not, Crater Lake National Park is home to the deepest lake in the United States and has over 170,000 acres of old growth forest. Located in the Cascade Mountains of southern Oregon, Crater Lake is the result of a collapsed volcano – hence, Crater Lake. If you venture outside of the park, you can roam on Rim Drive, a road surrounding the lake, which offers views of the park’s volcanic formations. Crater Lake National Park is a park to go to if you seek an “out-of-the-ordinary” adventure.
6. Arches National Park, UT. If you ever find yourself around Moab, Utah, you’re probably there for one reason – Arches National Park. The park has over 2,000 natural stone arches, in addition to hundreds of soaring pinnacles, massive fins and giant balanced rocks. With its landscape of contrasting colors and formations, Arches National Park’s trails is truly love at first sight.
7. Sawtooth Wilderness, ID. Considered the “crown jewel” of the Gem State, Sawtooth Wilderness spans across 217,000 acres. Furthermore, the Wilderness is exceptional in scenic beauty and is characterized by high granitic peaks and narrow glacial valleys. You’ll never get bored exploring the Wilderness; it is comprised of hundreds of jagged peaks over 10,000 feet high, with nearly 400 high alpine lakes dotting the predominantly rocky terrain.  In addition, if you explore deep enough, you’ll find secluded valleys covered with enormous stands of trees.
8. Pigsah National Forest, NC. Pigsah National Forest is massive. The Forest covers over 500,000 acres of land across the central mountains of Western North Carolina and encompasses some of the highest mountains in the Southern Appalachians, and all of the Eastern U.S. The photo below shows just how big this place is (even though the photo doesn’t even do justice for its size). Pigsah National Forest provides hundreds of miles of trails for hiking and backpacking.
9. Glacier National Park, MT. I may have exaggerated when I said Pigsah National Forest is massive. Glacier National Park makes Pigsah look like a playground. The park surrounds over one-million acres of land, over 130 lakes, more than 1,000 different species of plants, and hundreds of species of animals. Glacier National Park is regarded as the “Crown of the Continent Ecosystem.” There’s a reason why it’s referred to as that, and there’s only one way to find out why (*hint: plan your trip!).
10. Yosemite National Park, CA. I contemplated putting this on the list because literally everyone has heard of Yosemite National Park. However, this list isn’t about who has heard of one or the other – it’s about seeing something new. Therefore, welcome Yosemite National Park! While it’s known for its waterfalls, you can also find deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, a vast wilderness area, and much more. What tends to go unnoticed, though, is that 95% of Yosemite National Park is natural – meaning you won’t be bothered by anything. It’s just you and the nature that surrounds you.
11. Acadia National Park, ME. Whether you enjoy swimming, boating or fishing, the waves at Acadia National Park are your go-to spot. If you’re more of a camper, you can tackle one of its mountains, or get lost exploring its vast wilderness. Therefore, Acadia National Park is welcoming for all types of people. The park is home to many plants and animals, and the tallest mountain on the U.S. Atlantic coast.

Checking Off Your Camping Bucket List

There you have it. While these aren’t the only places you should visit, they are a great start for your camping bucket list. In conclusion, I encourage you to keep adding different locations to your list – I’m only here for the initial push to get you started. You don’t start living until you start traveling.

“Life is a book, and those who do not travel only read one page.”