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10 Off The Radar Camping Spots To Check Out In 2020

Summer dreaming with Sierra Designs.

By: Sara Sheehy + Save to a List

Even if you see snow outside your window, the camping season is just around the corner. The famous groundhog in Pennsylvania says there will be an early spring, and he seems like as good a judge as any. 

This year, don't let the warm weather catch you unprepared. It's time to pull out your camping gear, air out your adventure clothing, and see what needs replacing for the summer ahead. 

Whether it's a sleeping bag, backpack, or apparel, our friends at Sierra Designs have your back. Born in California and refined on the trail, Sierra Designs has been encouraging wanderlust and outdoor exploration since they started designing gear back in 1965. 

We love the look of their new Duo Beds for car camping, Flex Capacitor for backpacking, and their Joshua Vest (available in mens and womens) for staying warm at the campsite when the sun goes down.

Need some inspiration for your next camping adventure? Here are ten up-and-coming camping spots we have our eyes on for 2020.

Northeast

Adventure by Chris Mongeau

Beauty and adventure are never far away in New Hampshire's Franconia Notch. Make Layfayette Campground your car camping home base and access the Flume Gorge, hike to pretty Lonesome Lake, or do the entire Franconia Ridge loop

Adventure by Erin Hanczyk

What's old is new again, and never is that truer than in New York's Adirondack Park. Established back in 1885, this wooded playground is full of backcountry camping lean-to's, front-country car camping spots, and plenty of trails to link them all together. 

Southeast

Adventure by Justin Costner

Close to Charleston but considered a hidden gem of South Carolina is coastal Hunting Island State Park. Walk through the maze of Palmetto tree remains on the beach, and wake up to oceanfront sunrise views right from your campsite.

Adventure by Seth Berry

Snag one of the backcountry camping spots at Providence Canyon, and camp near the "Little Grand Canyon" of Georgia. As the campsites are within 2-3 miles of the parking lot, this is a great trip for beginner backpackers and families.

Middle West

Adventure by Jamie Fleck

Keep an eye out for wildlife at this adored campground on the shores of Quanah Parker Laker in the Wichita Mountains. There are plenty of trails for hiking, too.

Adventure by Parker Dodson

Camp in a cave, high above the Buffalo National River, on the backpacking route through Arkansas's Big Bluff. The sunsets and stargazing opportunities are spectacular in this remote location just north of the Ozark National Forest.

West

Adventure by CampCo

Hop over the border from Yellowstone National Park and check out the wild expanses of eastern Idaho. Flush with trout-fishing streams, big wildlife, and mountain views, you can avoid the national park crowds and revel in the quiet.

Adventure by Ashlee Langholz

Escape from Seattle with a weekend backpacking trip to Marmot Pass. This trek gives you exceptional sunset and sunrise views over the Olympic National Forest, all within an easy driving distance of the city.

Southwest

Adventure by Ethan Fichtner

Tuck into a car camping spot on the Mogollon Rim overlooking the Coconino National Forest, one of Arizona's best-kept secrets. The star gazing is exceptional, and the high elevation makes it the ideal place for escaping Arizona's hot summers.

Photo by Kathleen Buenviaje

Backpacking to Reflection Canyon isn't for the faint of heart, but your adventurous spirit will be rewarded with epic scenery, a night under the stars, and likely not a single soul around.

Cover photo by Ethan Fichtner

We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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