Camping is one of the best ways to enjoy the great outdoors, says any frequent camper who’d rather pitch a tent under the stars than book a hotel room. They’re not wrong, as camping has grown exponentially in popularity over the years, with many people turning to campsites and cabins to escape the day-to-day.
According to The Dyrt’s 2025 Camping Report released in January, 81.1 million Americans camped in 2024, and 5.8 million were first-timers. This is nearly double the number of campers we saw during the 2020 pandemic, per the 2021 North American Camping Report. At the time. campgrounds saw a significant incline in bookings, as camping in a secluded tent, RV, or cabin appeared to be the safest way to vacation. Even with travel restrictions since being lifted and the world somewhat going back to normal, camping is still the preferred getaway for many.
We don’t blame them. Connecting with nature in a desolate wooded campsite, only hearing the crackling of the fire and birds chirping while you drink your morning coffee, is the ultimate peaceful and calming experience. Plus, it has lasting health benefits and (depending on where you stay) offers a much-needed break from technology (via the National Park Service).
As the camping demand continues to rise, campgrounds all over the country have been gearing up (no pun intended) for an expected busy 2025 camping season, which typically runs from April to October. For those pondering where to set up camp next, the 2025 Campspot Awards recently named the top campgrounds in North America, from off-the-grid retreats to family-fun resorts and lavish glamping.
Below are their top picks in various categories and how they got on Campspot’s radar.
#1 Top Campground in the U.S (Verde Ranch RV Resort, Arizona)
Securing the title of the #1 Campground in the U.S. is Verde Ranch RV Resort in Camp Verde, Arizona. The RV park offers something for every kind of camper, no matter the experience they are craving. Guests can relax by the heated pool, play games in the clubhouse, compete in a friendly game of pickleball on the private courts, or partake in their many other on-site amenities.
Another major selling point is that the resort is a close distance to the Grand Canyon for those looking for an adventure off the grounds. Sedona and several historic sites are also nearby, making for the perfect scenic day trip. With 389 full hook-up RV sites and 16 furnished vacation cabins available, campers can enjoy a rental for a short time or the entire season. Visit their website for more information.
#1 Top Campground in Canada (Tsawaak RV Resort, BC)
Tsawaak RV Resort & Campground in British Columbia scored Campspot’s award for the #1 Top Campground in Canada, largely due to its gorgeous beaches just steps away from the campsites. Guests can indulge in tons of water activities like kayaking, paddle boarding, and even whale watching, or they can relax at their tent, RV, or longhouse cabin. You choose the adventure, and Tsawaak RV Resort can accommodate you!
Those traveling from out of town can also take in the breathtaking routes along the way, including parks and scenic lakes, which are shared on their website.
#1 Unique Campground (True West Campground, Tennessee)
If you’re looking for an authentic southern camping experience, look no further than the True West Campground in Big South Fork, Tennessee, which was named the #1 Unique Campground by Campspot. The grounds are certainly not like the others, giving a rustic vibe with a frontier-style experience, featuring horse trails, stables, and dozens of campsites for RVs and cabin rentals.
The campground has hundreds of 5-star reviews on breathtaking routes and was shouted out in an article by Tennessee State Parks for being one of the best RV campgrounds in the state. Interested campers can find out more about True West Campground via their website.
#1 Glamping Campground (Broad River Campground, North Carolina)
Broad River Campground in Mooresboro, North Carolina, only opened in July 2022, and it has already nabbed Campspot’s award for the #1 Glamping Campground. They also received the National Award of Excellence from OHI (Advancing Outdoor Hospitality) in November 2023 for their first year in business, as per their website. It makes sense with their beautiful views encompassing 83 acres and enticing glamping domes that sleep up to four people (plus furry companions).
They also have 56 full hook-up RV sites, cozy cabins, each with their own private hot tubs, and five tent sites for those itching for the traditional camping experience. It’s recommended that guests visit their website upon arrival for guidance on what to bring to make your stay as comfortable as possible.
#1 Hidden Gem (The Cove Pub Campground, Florida)
If you haven’t heard of The Cove Pub Campground in Inverness, Florida, we highly encourage you to consider it for your next camping trip. The park was named Campspot’s #1 Hidden Gem, and for good reason. It’s a secluded getaway with a widely popular pub on-site, serving beer flights, wings, burgers, sandwiches, and more.
The campground also offers airboat tours, stays in various lodgings, 10 RV campsites, and a slew of activities nearby, like bike rentals, an aquarium, movie theaters, and kayaking. Additional details and rates can be found on their website.
#1 Quiet Getaway (Buffalo Springs Lake Campground, Texas)
Perhaps you’d fancy a nice, quiet destination where you can unwind with a book and beneath the warm Texas sun. Then, you might want to travel to Buffalo Springs Lake Campground in Lubbock, Texas. Visitors of this campground typically go to unplug from the world and bask in the quaint environment. They offer RV and tent camping, and a ton of recreational activities to choose from by the lake.
They also have a Buffalo Bay Marina with lakeside rentals, beaches, fishing, and nature trails, to name a few. According to Campspot’s ratings on its website, Buffalo Springs Lake Campground earned a 4.2 camper satisfaction score, with many guests raving about their abundant amenities.
#1 Family Campground (Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park, North Carolina)
The last of Campspot’s awards for 2025 goes to Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park at their Bostic, North Carolina location for being the #1 Family Campground. There are over 75 Yogi Bear Camp Resorts across the U.S. and Canada, as per their main website, and they’ve particularly been a hit with families for their many kid-friendly attractions.
At the Bostic site, youngsters can enjoy rides, a water park, ziplining, swimming, mini golf, laser tag — the list goes on. Sometimes, even Yogi Bear himself pays guests a visit! It’s impossible to be bored at this campground, though there are many things to do nearby as well for kids and adults.
About the 2025 Campspot Awards
Now, a bit about Campspot. The company is an online marketplace and campground management software where people can book their stays at various campgrounds. It’s a one-stop shop for guests that helps streamline operations for campground owners and easily manage reservations. The first Campspot awards were announced in 2022 and have become known as an incredible honor for those recognized.
We spoke with Carolin Fuller, Director of Partnerships at Campspot, to learn all that goes into choosing the award recipients and what factors are considered in each category. She revealed that the specific things they look at in a campground that sets them apart from others are category relevance, reservation data, guest ratings, park features, and the quality of their Campspot Marketplace listing. Fuller also pointed out that each category has its own criteria, meaning for a top family destination (like Yogi Bear above), they’d consider family-friendly amenities, events available, the percentage of reservations with children, guest ratings, and the user experience on the park’s listing page.
But finding these candidates is no easy feat. Fuller shared that her team combed through 3 million data points on their Campspot Marketplace, which includes things like guest ratings, reservation patterns, park features, and the quality of each campground’s listing. “This data-driven approach helps us highlight the parks that are really standing out based on guest feedback and booking trends,” Fuller explained.
The winners should also be proud to know that although these awards focus specifically on the campgrounds that are available to book on Campspot Marketplace, their competition is a hefty number. “Our platform includes more than 3,000 parks across North America, ensuring that the winners we select are not only exceptional but also accessible to campers looking to book their next trip,” Fuller said.
Additionally, she noted that the site is used by millions of campers each year (6.4 million annual web visits and 1.4 million app downloads, to be exact), and the intrigue in camping is steadily climbing. “We’re continuing to see steady interest in camping, particularly as people look for more affordable, close-to-home vacation options, and we’re hearing directly from travelers that this focus on domestic travel is top of mind for many,” Fuller said when asked if there’s been a rise in camping since the pandemic.
“Our data shows strong demand over the course of the next six months, with our Campspot Marketplace seeing an average 22% YoY increase in reservations compared to this time last year,” Fuller went on. “Early survey results also show that a significant portion of our users are seeking shorter, more frequent getaways, with camping as a preferred travel type seeing a notable uptick.”
She further elaborated on what people are specifically looking for when booking a campsite, and it all boils down to the amenities. Fuller noted that the top features that people have searched for, especially going into the spring and summer months, are waterparks, boat launches, pet-friendly policies, fishing opportunities, and swimming pools.
However, that might not necessarily be the desire in the future. After asking Fuller for her take on what we can expect when looking ahead at the camping landscape, she revealed there’s been an increased interest in quick, restorative trips. As per Campspot’s 2025 Recreation Vacation Trend Outlook, people are seeking more immersive experiences and want to connect with simpler times.
“This means we’re likely to see a rise in simpler, short getaways, whether that’s a last-minute RV trip or finding a secluded spot to set up a tent for a quick dopamine boost,” Fuller added. “As campers seek more personal, authentic experiences, we’re excited to see where the future of camping takes us.”
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