2019 is here, and it’s time to build your bucket list before the year slips by. From de-cluttering to minimalism, people are catching on to the idea of foregoing stuff in order to make room for experiences that will create memories and allow for fun adventures. In 2019, the trend of skipping the next hot item in order to experience the next hot destination continues, and camping is the perfect way to see the best sights and have fun with friends and family without breaking the bank.
To help you put together your 2019 travel bucket list, we’ve rounded up a list of camping experiences off the beaten path where you can see some amazing sights and enjoy quality time with the ones you love in the great outdoors—that’s a trend that will never go out of style.
Add these camping experiences to your 2019 bucket list.
1. Explore the country in an RV
Region: Anywhere in the U.S.
No matter where you roam, an RV road trip is the perfect way to explore America. RV rentals are a fun and practical way to experience the outdoors and literally live in your adventure. Book now.
2. Stay the night in a Mongolian style yurt
Region: Boise National Forest, Idaho
Watch the snow fall in the winter or the stars blaze in the summer in one of six backcountry yurts in Idaho’s picturesque Boise National Forest. Book now.
3. Go all Swiss Family Robinson in a magical tree house
Region: Glenmont, Ohio
Designed by famous tree house designer Pete Nelson, The Mohicans is a collection of unique and environmentally friendly tree houses overlooking Ohio’s beautiful Mohican Valley. Book now.
4. Pitch your tent where the mountains meet the plains
Region: Colfax County, New Mexico
Located right at the base of the Rocky Mountains where they meet the plains, Sugarite Canyon is located on the Colorado and New Mexico state line and attracts hikers, fishers and boaters. Book now.
5. Camp six miles away from America’s most famous waterfall
Region: Niagara Falls, New York
Located just six miles from Niagara Falls, Niagara Falls Campground & Lodging gives campers central access to all of the fun and activities of the city and the natural beauty of the falls. Book now.
Recommended: Bucket List Northern Lights Viewing Experiences in America
6. Sleep like a pioneer in a (really fancy) Conestoga wagon
Region: Torrey, Utah
Capital Reef resort takes glamping to a whole new level with a selection of Conestoga Wagons, teepees and luxury cabins available for camping. Add that to the fact that it’s just one mile from Capital Reef National Park and you’ll want to hitch your wagon at the resort for good. Book now.
7. Spend the night beneath redwood trees
Region: Crescent City, California
Tucked beneath some of the earth’s most extraordinary trees, Crescent City/ Redwoods KOA allows campers to experience the national and state parks without the crowds of in-park camping. Book now.
8. Experience coastal camping at a beach vacation mecca
Region: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
One of the most popular places to vacation on the East Coast, Myrtle Beach has something for the sun-worshipper in all of us. From fun boardwalk-style shopping to beachcombing, Myrtle Beach camping makes a perfect escape year-round. Book now.
9. Camp at the highest peak in the east
Region: Mount Mitchell State Park, North Carolina
Rising 6,683 feet in the air, Mount Mitchell is the highest peak east of the Rocky Mountains. The state park that surrounds it is filled with great hiking trails, a primitive campground with great views and even a restaurant where you can eat at the peak. Book now.
10. Sleep under the stars at a brewery
Region: Nelson County, Virginia
Craft beer lovers can’t get enough of Devil’s Backbone Camp, home to Virginia’s Devil’s Backbone brewery in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Aside from the beer and camping, guests can also enjoy a mecca of outdoor activities including bike races, trail runs and festivals. Book now.
Recommended: The Ultimate Guide to Camping With Dogs
11. Camp and learn to paddle at kayak school
Region: Bryson City, North Carolina
Adventurers that sign up for canoe or kayak school at Bryson City’s Nantahala Outdoor Center will get much more than a day of instruction on the water. The center is also home to zip lines, mountain biking, whitewater rafting and some of the country’s best hiking on the Appalachian Trail. Book now.
12. Spot Orca whales in the wild
Region: San Juan Islands, Washington
Between May and October, Orca whales swim the waters of the stunning San Juan Islands in the Pacific Northwest. Take a whale watching tour, paddle a kayak out into the waters or simply settle onshore to see if you can catch a glimpse of this fierce and majestic ocean predator. Book now.
13. Soak in serene mountain hot springs
Region: Glenwood Springs, Colorado
For over 130 years, visitors have soaked in Glenwood Hot Springs, located in the mountains between Aspen and Vail. The soothing mineral waters of the world’s largest hot springs pool will help you relax after a day of hiking or skiing, and the spa is a great place to be pampered. Book now.
14. Learn about the nation’s Civil War battles
Region: Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Take a step back in time and learn about the battles of the Civil War. Today, Gettysburg is home to the Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center, which displays Civil War artifacts, and the Gettysburg National Cemetery, where Abraham Lincoln gave his 1863 Gettysburg Address. Book now.
15. See America’s largest mammal roam freely
Region: Medora, North Dakota
The American bison is the largest mammal in North America and was almost driven to extinction until federal legislation was put in place to preserve it in the late 1800s. Today, 700 bison roam freely in Roosevelt National Park where visitors can catch a glimpse of the American icon. Book now.
Recommended: The 9 Best Wildlife Experiences in America
16. Learn to ride the waves at a California surf camp
Region: Encinitas, California
Learn to catch waves and experience the ocean in a whole new way at Moonlight Beach Surf Camps. Perfect for kids and adults, your whole family will have a great time in the sun and surf of southern California. Camping is available at nearby San Elijo State Beach. Book now.
17. Visit an out-of-this-world immersive art experience
Region: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Meow Wolf is an art collective whose first permanent installation, House of Eternal Return, takes guests through a multidimensional mystery house with secret passages, portals to magical worlds and mesmerizing art exhibits. Fun for all ages, it must be seen to be believed. Book now.
18. Flex your muscles in Eldorado Canyon State Park
Region: near Boulder, Colorado
Boasting over 1,000 technical climbs, this state park is a hot spot for climbers and hikers. Camping is available in nearby Peaceful Valley. Book now.
19. Explore Louisiana’s river swamps on an open-air boat
Region: Slidell, Louisiana
The 108-square-mile Honey Island Swamp is breathtaking and wild. Visitors experience a diverse array of flora and fauna including alligators, deer, turtles and cypress trees. See the swamp on an open-air boat tour and prepare to be amazed. Book now.
Are you ready for an outdoor adventure? Plan your camping trip!