Water‑lust Wellness
Water has long been known for its healing properties, and it seems campers take to water like catfish to a muddy creek.
The Year of the Calm‑Cation
In a recent customer survey, we found that 93% of campers feel more relaxed or mentally refreshed after time spent camping versus other kinds of trips.
Which begs the question—What is it about camping that helps people unwind?
In order to glean insights about the various aspects of people’s camping experiences, Campspot surveyed Campspot Marketplace customers in June 2023 with 2,851 respondents.
More than half (58%) think camping offers a more significant break from the everyday routine compared to other types of travel like flying or hotel stays.
68% of campers claim an affordable nightly rate contributes to a feeling of relaxation and mental refresh when staying at a campground.
Nearly 90% of respondents would consider staying at a campground in lieu of traditional lodging accommodations for a trip they'd normally book traditional lodging for.
43% of campers claim low sound levels contribute to a feeling of relaxation and mental refresh when staying at a campground.
With 1 in 3 campers feeling stressed or very stressed about economic uncertainty in the year ahead and nearly 70% of campers specifically craving a sense of calm and relaxation on their trips in 2024, it’s clear relaxation is something we’re all plenty craving.
But what’s the best type of calm‑cation? Beyond what camping has to offer as a means of travel and leisure activity, how are campers achieving that coveted mental refresh?
Water has long been known for its healing properties, and it seems campers take to water like catfish to a muddy creek.
64%
of campers claim nearby natural water features such as beaches, rivers, or lakes contribute to their feeling of relaxation when spending time outdoors. Specifically, nearly 3 in 4 campers feel the most relaxed when in a lake landscape, compared to other landscapes types.
#1
The #1 campsite element that contributes to a feeling of relaxation for campers is being waterfront, closely followed by access to an on-site beach.
63%
Water recreation amenities were listed as the TOP amenity category for 2024 camping. Specifically, 63% of respondents were interested in water activities like going to the beach, boating, kayaking, fishing, and paddle boating. 50% were interested in swimming, hot tubs and saunas, pools, and water parks.
Recent reporting from the American Lung Association revealed a staggering 1 in 4 people in the U.S. (aka over 119 million people) live with exposure to health-altering air pollution. It’s no wonder that camping, often an activity that takes place in a more rural setting, offers so many a literal safe haven.
77%
of campers claimed fresh air contributes to their feeling of relaxation when spending time outdoors.
#1
Fresh air was the #1 general element that campers felt contributed to their feelings of relaxation while spending time outdoors.
63%
of campers are looking for amazing views as part of their 2024 camping trips.
54%
of campers claim a clear view of the night sky and stars contributes to their feeling of relaxation when spending time outdoors.
In today’s world, campers feel most able to disconnect, when they are in fact…connected.
64%
of campers feel most relaxed with high-speed internet availability, similar to what they have at home or work.
40%
of campers say they are very interested in tech-based campground amenities like Wi-Fi or cable TV for camping trips in 2024.
91%
of campers wanted access to the internet of some kind, aka only 9% felt more relaxed when they were completely unplugged.
1 in 3
campers said internet access at a campground is a contributing factor to a feeling of relaxation.
Destination Index
To help campers find the best camping spots to relax and unwind, we rolled our sleeves up, made a round of camping breakfast burritos, and munched, er—crunched the numbers (and the maps). Keep scrolling for the factors we considered and the TOP destinations and campgrounds for calm‑cations in 2024.
To discover the locations perfect for the two favorite types of calm‑cations, Campspot’s data insights team aggregated park information by region and created a score up to 5 based on campground availability, ratings,and pricing. We also scored locations by their proximity to natural bodies of water or dark sky parks, and the particular amenities we know campers value for each type of a calm‑cation, for a total score of 20. Lastly, we ranked destinations according to their scores.
In order to find where campers can experience a calm‑cation in 2024, we started with looking at top locations with high Campspot campground density.
Sure, a campground could have a picturesque setting and clear skies, but if it has poor reviews, how helpful is that? To ensure our list of destinations provides maximum relaxation, we also factored in Campspot camper reviews and average prices.
For our water‑lust destinations, we considered the number of campgrounds in a particular area that were near natural bodies of water. We also looked at the number of campgrounds with amenities that included waterfront, beach, and fishing availability.
To rank our clear sky sanctuaries, we layered in public air quality index (AQI) data, as well as each destination’s proximity to International Dark Sky Association designated parks. We also considered if campgrounds had amenities like hiking that would help campers enjoy the fresh air around them.
Last but not least, we considered Wifi and Cell Phone reception ratings provided by campers, as well as the amenities available at the campgrounds.
Ashland is renowned as the gateway to the Lakes Region in NH, bordered on the west by the Pemigewasset River and on the east by Little Squam Lake.
Ames Brook Campground has fishing, a pool, and access to a nearby water park.
North of Portland in the Maine Lakes and Mountains Region, campers can experience Auburn’s nearby river walk along Androscoggin River and its Great Falls. You can also fish at Lake Auburn!
Two Lakes Camping Area is located in nearby Oxford Maine, on 177 acre Hogan Pond with access to 147 acre Whitney Pond. Enjoy swimming, the beach, kayaking and canoeing.
Dubbed “Beer City,” this Michigan destination is located on the Grand River, a convenient hour from Lake Michigan’s shoreline.
Steamboat Park Campground is located right on the Grand River banks, where you can enjoy their boat launch, fishing, pool, and the sandy shoreline.
Rehoboth Beach is an Atlantic coast town known for being the nation’s “summer capital”.
Sun Outdoors Rehoboth Bay is a luxury waterfront campground right on the shores of Rehoboth Bay. Enjoy a swim up bar, a private beach, kayaking, paddleboarding, or canoe.
This city is located on the Tennessee River and offers close proximity to picturesque lakes, quarries, rivers, and mountain streams galore.
Yarberry Campground is in Loudoun County, which is referred to as “The Lakeway to the Smokies.” Enjoy the shores of Fort Loudoun Lake with stunning views, and access to the beach/waterfront, canoeing and kayaking.
This city you might not have heard of is located on stunning Mustang Island on the coast of Texas close to Corpus Christi.
Aloha Beach RV Resort has dedicated Wifi at each space, and is close to beaches, fishing, and also has a pool.
Known for the Comal and Guadalupe Rivers, New Bruanfels is an 1800s German-inspired town.
Rio Guadalupe Resort is located on 25 acres along the Guadalupe River. Enjoy a river-side cabin and easy access to tubing, rafting, fishing, kayaking, and a pool.
Fondly nicknamed the “Waterpark Capital of the World,” Wisconsin Dells has more water parks per capita than anywhere else in the world. It’s also right near Lake Delton, the Wisconsin River, and is just a half hour drive from Wisconsin’s most popular state park—Devil’s Lake.
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Wisconsin Dells is a 2023 Campspot Award winner and has it all—beach, boat launch, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, pool, waterfront, and a waterpark.
Located in New York’s protected Adirondack Region, Lake George is known for... Lake George! Nicknamed the Queen of America’s Lakes, the lake is 32 miles long, offers stunning views and access to water sports, and is even known for tales of its alleged lake monster “Georgie”.
Schroon River Escape Lodges RV Resort offers nearly a mile of river frontage on the nearby Schroon River, with access to fishing, a pool, and just 15 mins from Lake George.
Located right between Pensacola and Destin Florida on the panhandle coast, Navarre has stunning beaches, white sands, and crystal clear waters.
Schroon River Escape Lodges RV Resort offers nearly a mile of river frontage on the nearby Schroon River, with access to fishing, a pool, and just 15 mins from Lake George.
Surrounded by mountains, Asheville’s city glow is easy to leave behind as you explore the surrounding areas, and the city has a very active astronomy club. Mayland Earth to Sky Park and Bare Dark Sky Observatory is within an hour’s drive and also contains the Glenn and Carol Arthur Planetarium, making it a destination truly worth a trip for celestial enthusiasts!
Hickory Nut Falls Family Campground is the perfect spot to camp in the area with easy access to the famous Chimney Rock hike, Lake Lure, fishing, tubing, and more.
Jamestown is located in a relatively dark part of Tennessee and is less than a half hour’s drive from Pickett CCC Memorial State Park & Pogue Creek Canyon State Natural Area, a designated Dark Sky Park. According to darksky.org, “activities include an annual New Year’s Eve hike, a Junior Ranger Camp each July, an annual star party and regular dark skies programming during peak visitor season in the summer.”
True West Campground Stables and Mercantile is a super unique campground in the area offering an unforgettable experience with their covered wagons and “the best HORSEpitality® in the country.”
The nearby small cities of Wimberley and Woodcreek Texas are collectively known as “Wimberley Valley” and their citizens passionately worked for their International Dark Sky Community designation. A stay in New Braunfels allows for quick access to these coveted night skies, as well as German-inspired restaurants, river excursions, and the city’s art scene.
Stay at award-winning Camp Fimfo Texas Hill Country to enjoy a glamping or camping trip that’s designed to please (and even has a swim-up bar).
AMC Maine Woods is the only International Dark Sky park in all of New England and is located at the edge of the North Maine Woods. Greenville is a great homebase for access to this remote part of the country.
Moose Creek RV Resort is on a mission to “help people discover the “true north” in the highlands of Maine through high-quality camping and recreational experience.” Enjoy shaded and grassy spacious pull-thrus and nice private back-in sites as well as amenities like Wifi, a dog park, and special events and live music.
Kanab is a short drive to Kaibab Paiute Reservation—the world’s first Dark Sky Nation.
A stay at nearby Dark Sky RV Campground provides access to phenomenal views of the night skies, as well as unobstructed views of the Red Cliffs, Vermillion Cliffs, and the Kaibab Plateau.
Tucked away in the Virginia Blue Ridge foothills, Rappahannock County Park is a little park offering big International Darky Sky Park views. A stay in Luray is just a half hour away, and according to nps.gov, “its high elevation, combined with its relative remoteness from dense urban areas, makes nearby Shenandoah National Park a great place to engage in stargazing on the east coast.”
A stay at Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views Campground is a paradise, providing views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, quick access to the infamous Skyline Drive, Luray Caverns, Shenandoah River, and even historic Civil War sites.
Dead Horse Point State Park was recognized as an International Dark Sky Park in 2016 and is a popular reason folks flock to Moab and southern Utah. The park often hosts programs celebrating the night sky.
A 2023 Campspot Award winner, Sun Outdoors North Moab is a great place to unwind after a long night of stargazing. Enjoy being walking distance from downtown Moab and the Colorado River but also just minutes from Arches National Park.
Sedona’s International Dark Sky designation speaks to their citizen’s dedication to preserving dark skies and natural environment.
A stay at Rio Verde RV Park affords a quiet cozy stay nestled in the juniper trees with quick access to Sedona’s famous red rock landscape.
Located just ten minutes east of Headlands International Dark Sky Park, Mackinaw City is a gorgeous waterfront base camp for not only seeking out stellar night skies, but also the elusive aurora borealis
Tiki RV Park Campground offers a secluded sanctuary and still provides easy access to Mackinac Island via St. Ignace ferry, Fort Michilimackinac in Mackinaw City, Tahquamenon Falls, and more!
Less than 10 minutes from Newport State Park (a designated Dark Sky Park), Ellison Bay is a town located on a peninsula of Wisconsin that is surrounded by Lake Michigan. Despite its remote location, it’s chock full of restaurants, art galleries, and amazing views.
A stay at Hy-land Court RV Park and Campground offers stunning night sky panoramas and quick access to not only Newport State Park, but Sister Bay Beach, and Stone’s Throw Winery.
Book a calm‑cation with waterfront access. These campgrounds are great for water sports, amazing views, and swimming holes galore.
Dark sky camping is the secret to calm—and answering life’s big questions.
A camping trip a day keeps the doctor away! Okay, maybe not every day, but you get the idea….
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After a long hike, there’s not much better for your sore muscles than a nice, relaxing soak. If you have some serious R&R in mind for your next camping trip, be sure to check out this list of the best campgrounds with hot tubs or saunas.
