Camping

As suburban sprawl creeps ever outward, the allure of spending a night in the wilderness has increased exponentially. Whether it’s sleeping in the open air, a tent or a comfortable RV, camping vacations are how many families and adventurers choose to get away from it all.

There are lots of ways to “go camping.” Some are serious—survivalists plunge deep into the wild with minimal supplies—and some are relaxed forays into nature, such as amenity-laden RV parks on the fringe of forests. Many campers combine the standard hot dog and marshmallow roasting with active pursuits like hiking, biking, swimming, canoeing, hunting and fishing.

The United States is chock-full of some of the best campgrounds in the world. California has amazing sites at its many national parks and preserves. The northern reaches of the continent also are favorites for their wilderness and wildlife; try Idaho, British Columbia and Alaska to start.