Even if you saw just one episode of the BBC TV series Planet Earth you probably remember two things: the soothing voice of narrator David Attenborough and the itch to travel, sparked by majestic scenery and sweeping camera shots. If you’ve always wanted to see these places in person, now’s your chance. Get ready for your true-life Planet Earth trip.
Go to: Moraine Park Campground
Near: Rocky Mountains
On the “Mountains” episode of Planet Earth, grizzly cubs stumble around the Rocky Mountain terrain; don’t let that scare you away from camping in this stunning location. Moraine Park Campground is located within the Rocky Mountain National Park and provides ample opportunity to explore; you won’t even be able to visit all 355 miles of hiking trails in one trip. Make the most of your time in the park and trek the most memorable hikes, like Adams Falls Trail, which offers stunning waterfall views.
Reserve a Campsite: Moraine Park Campground
Go to: Gran Sabana
Near: Angel Falls, Venezuela
Located deep within the 12,000-mile Canaima National Park, this isn’t a natural wonder many people see everyday. But if you never thought you’d get anywhere near the world’s highest free-flowing waterfall, think again. If you head to the Angel Falls base camp, the misty falls will be the first thing you see in the morning and the last thing you see before you go to sleep at night. The easiest way to get there is with a tour company. Audley offers hammocks and mosquito nets for sleeping and day trips you won’t soon forget.
Go to: Brantley Lake State Park
Near: Lechuguilla Cave, New Mexico
Featured on the Planet Earth episode, “Caves,” this is one of the few locations you can visit within the boundaries of the United States. Lechuguilla, the seventh-longest explored cave in the world, is located in Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Here you can take guided cave tours, hike the self-guided nature trail or take a desert drive through the Chihuahuan Desert. Backcountry camping is the only option for staying in the park, but you can pitch your tent an hour away at Brantley Lake State Park, the newest one in the state.
Reserve a Campsite: Brantley Lake
Go to: Erg Chigaga Luxury Desert Camp
Near: Sahara Desert, Africa
Don’t let the dust storms–some large enough to cover the whole of Great Britain–keep you from visiting this unique Planet Earth location; this part of the world has plenty to offer campers. Head to Morocco for a desert glamping trip where you can experience the heat, sand and sun while riding camels, taking guided tours and more. Luxury camping outfitter Erg Chigaga also offers sand boarding, sand dune picnics, quad biking and more.
Go to: A Tibetan Nomadic Community
Near: The Tibetan Plateau, Tibet
Otherwise called the “Third Pole,” The Tibetan Plateau is more than 900,000 square miles and home to thousands of glaciers and a variety of unique natural features. The best way to experience this stunning location is to live among the Tibetan nomads. Companies like SnowLion Tours set you up with places to stay as you travel from town to town on week-long trips.
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Go to: New Ireland, Papua New Guinea
Near: The Jungles of New Guinea
With over 40 kinds of birds, and half the world’s species, the jungles of New Guinea are a thriving ecosystem and a fascinating place for visitors; most of whom are surfers. “Papua New Guinea is renowned for its spectacular surfing and diving in crystal clear waters with amazing pristine reefs,” according to The Surf Travel Company. Because of this, most who travel here are surfers. If you’re looking for the surf trip of a lifetime, pack your board and reserve a spot at the island camp.
Go to: Furnace Creek Campground
Near: Death Valley National Park, California
This Planet Earth location is a far cry from the coasts of the Golden State, but it’s no less rewarding. Head deep into this national park, one of the lowest areas of land in the world, to enjoy a number of activities including birding and hiking–both of which should be done in October through April, the cooler months. Hike along the 4-mile Gower Gulch Loop or escape the heat and go to the Borax Museum.
Reserve a Campsite: Furnace Creek
Go to: Vicente Perez Rosales National Park
Near: Valdivian Forests, Chile
As if out of a storybook, these forests are bright green, bursting with tropical plants and thick with jungle mist. You can get a taste of this magical environment, and much more, when you camp in the first national park of Chile. Come during the Chilean summer–December to March–and make base camp in Petrohue, one of the only camping areas in the park. Make your reservation through Corporacion Nacional Foresta (CONAF), the agency that manages the park, who can also recommend hikes and guided boat tours as many travel sites are in Spanish.
Go to: Kalbarri National Park
Near: Western Australia, Australia
You saw hydroplaning dolphins in the “Shallow Seas” episode of Planet Earth and that’s exactly what you should look for when you visit Kalbarri National Park. There are many natural features to be seen here, too, including the Kalbarri Gorges, Nature’s Window and Jaques Point. And, that’s only the beginning; find more things to do at Kalbarri.org.au. With no camping allowed within the national park, pitch your tent at Flat Rocks Beach Campground, located just outside.
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