There’s nothing quite as exhilarating as the first spring night outdoors after a long winter. The air feels so fresh, the plants are in bloom, and baby birds can be heard chirping all around. Compared to summer camping, spring camping trips have the benefits of fewer crowds and bugs (especially pesky mosquitoes).
But a spring camping trip is not all budding violets and skies of sunshine. Depending on where you’re camping, spring can be chilly and there might be a good chance of showers. So, add your insulated vests and rain jackets to the camping gear and get ready for a spring camping trip to remember. Check out our recommendations below and plan your next adventure.
Recommended: Preparing for Spring Camping
1. Pine Ridge Campground, South Carolina
Sitting between the historic town of Spartanburg and the Blue Ridge Mountains, Pine Ridge Campground provides the perfect mix of indoor and outdoor attractions for unpredictable spring weather. Take a 15-minute drive to Spartanburg’s downtown cultural district to visit multiple history and art museums, local shops, dining, and breweries. Outdoor activities include the nearby Croft State Park, which offers wooded hiking or biking trials, a playground, and fishing or boating in one of the two lakes.
Pine Ridge Campground offers full hook-up RV sites with both 30 and 50 amp service, WiFi, laundry facilities, a clean and spacious bathhouse, and a propane filling station. This family-owned park also features a fishing pond with a fountain that’s perfect for birdwatching, a playground, and a dog park.
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2. Gateway to the Petrified Forest RV Resort, Arizona
Located near the Americana town of Hollbrook, the Gateway to the Petrified Forest RV Resort is the perfect base camp to explore the historical and geological sites of central and eastern Arizona. This park puts you 22 miles from Petrified Forest National Park, 42 miles from the Painted Desert, and 41 miles from Winslow, Arizona, where you can visit the iconic “Standin on The Corner” Route 66 landmark. Other nearby attractions include the Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area and Walnut Cayon National Monument, giving you endless options for quick adventures or longer day trips.
The Gateway to the Petrified Forest RV Resort features spacious RV sites with full hook-ups, BBQ’s and picnic tables in the comma area, and a quiet desert setting with beautiful sunsets and sunrises. The park is undergoing several renovation projects, but for campers looking for simple accommodations while they explore Arizona, this park is the place.
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3. Seven Mountains Campground, Pennsylvania
Nestled in the rolling hills of Spring Mills, Pennsylvania, Seven Mountains is the perfect place to watch spring bring the surrounding nature to life. This campground puts you in a prime location to explore nearby outdoor recreation areas, including Penn-Roosevelt State Park, Poe Valley State Park, Bald Eagle State Forest, and Thickhead Mountain Wild Area to name a few. Rainy day activities include the nearby Penn State University, Penn Caves, and the Seven Mountains Wine Cellars.
Seven Mountains Campground is a shaded and pet-friendly park that offers RV sites with water and electric, free WiFi, and picnic tables and fire rings at every site. For Penn State fans and outdoor lovers alike, this park is the perfect destination.
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4. Pine Mountain RV Resort, Georgia
Located in the scenic countryside of West Central Georgia, Pine Mountain RV Resort combines outdoor beauty with modern amenities. This resort is just an 8-minute drive to Georgia’s largest state park, FD Roosevelt. This sprawling state park is a hiker and biker’s paradise, with more than 40 miles of scenic trails through pine trees and past small waterfalls. Pine Mountain RV Resort is also just about an hour’s drive to Altana and three miles from the world-renowned Callaway Gardens.
Pine Mountain RV Resort is pet-friendly and features full hook-up RV sites with a picnic table and fire pit at each site. On-site amenities also include a fitness room, pool, hot tub, steam showers, lounge, playground, dog parks, and free WiFi.
5. Dinosaur Valley RV Park, Texas
About an hour and a half’s drive southwest of Dallas, Dinosaur Valley RV Park is located along the Paluxy River in the historic town of Glen Rose. This peaceful park puts you right next to plenty of area attractions, including fossil digging and exhibits at Dinosaur World, hiking or horseback riding at Dinosaur Valley State Park, mountain biking on the Solavaca Ranch trail, and or fishing at the Wheeler Branch Reservoir. There’s also plenty of local shopping and dining to be found in the quaint downtown of Glen Rose.
Dinosaur Valley RV Park is a new park that offers cabins or full hook-up, 80-foot RV sites that are each equipped with a picnic table and fire ring. On site amenities include two swimming pools and a hot tub, a dog park, and small bike trail, a playground, and a barnyard with friendly animals to visit and pet.
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6. Ginnie Springs Outdoors, Florida
Located on the Sante Fe River in North Central Florida, Ginnie Springs Outdoors campground puts you right next to one of the clearest springs in the state. This park features seven natural springs that boast crystal clear, 72-degree water for year-round swimming and snorkeling. Whether you swim, tube, snorkel, or simply relax by the calming water, Ginnie Springs is a destination you don’t want to miss.
Ginnie Springs offers water and electric RV sites, each with their own picnic table and grill. On site amenities include volleyball courts, a playground, covered pavilions, and WiFi, as well as heated bathhouses, laundry facilities, and a dump station. Pets are not allowed at this park.
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7. Wildcat Adventures Off Road Park, Kentucky
For ATV and UTV enthusiasts who also love camping, Wildcat Adventures Off Road Park is the perfect destination for an action-packed trip. This family-friendly park sits right off I-75 in beautiful Southeast Kentucky and features 2,000 acres of land with over 100 miles of off-road trails. From the novice to the experienced rider, this park has plenty of scenic off-road trails to explore. Riders will need to fill out the waiver form before their visit.
Wildcat Adventures is pet friendly and offers RV sites with full hook-ups. There are primitive shower facilities, as well as a general store, an equipment power wash station, and bathrooms.
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8. Spook Cave & Campground, Iowa
Located in Northeast Iowa, Spook Cave & Campground is surrounded by natural beauty and is a great place to soak up mild spring weather. The park provides direct access to the Bloody Run Trout Stream, hiking trails, and guided boat tours through Spook Cave’s unique natural cavern. Nearby attractions include Pikes Peak State Park and Effigy Mounds National Monument, which are home to scenic bluffs, valleys, trails, and historic landmarks.
Spook Cave & Campground offers full hook-up RV sites with individual picnic tables and fire pits, bathhouse facilities, WiFi, a propane fill station, and a lake for swimming and fishing. Guests can also rent golf carts on site and purchase food, firewood, and beverages from the camp store.
Note: Spook Cave & Campground opens May 1st, but you can make reservations in advance.
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Are you ready for your adventure? Plan your camping trip!