According to The Dyrt’s 2026 Camping Report Presented by Toyota Trucks, camping and hiking are the third and fourth most popular outdoor activities for Americans behind only walking and swimming.
To honor the peanut butter and jelly of the great outdoors, The Dyrt, the only camping app that has every kind of campsite, the most useful tools to plan your trip, and the largest community of campers helping campers, selected the 2026 Best Places to Camp for Hiking presented by Oboz Footwear, maker of premium, trail-ready footwear. This list recognizes the top campgrounds in the country that serve as perfect base camps for hiking adventures.
Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground in Tennessee comes in at No. 1. The nearly 30,000-acre park on the Cumberland Plateau is home to, as you can infer from its name, multiple waterfalls, including one of the tallest in the eastern United States. Hickory Ridge Campground in Virginia is second on the list due in large part to its trail network, which you can reach right from the campground. Grayson Highlands State Park has 18 trails ranging from a third of a mile to three miles, including a 2.5-mile stretch of the Appalachian Trail.
The Dyrt has already recognized some of the best places to camp in niche categories: National Park Neighbors, With Kids, For Free, Near Water, Near Cities and the Top 9 for K-9s. The Dyrt also handed out the annual Glampy Awards and Best Places to RV, as well as the Top 10 Best Places to Camp in each region of the country and the Best Places to Camp: Top 10 in the U.S.
Winners were chosen based on reviews and ratings from The Dyrt’s community of campers, and hikers.
1. Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground — Tennessee
Location: Spencer, TN
What makes it great: Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground is an optimal base camp for hikers. The park is one of Tennessee’s largest, covering roughly 29,800 acres of the Cumberland Plateau. The biggest draw for hikers is how easy it is to get to the park’s seven signature waterfalls from the campsites.
At 256 feet, Fall Creek Falls is Tennessee’s highest waterfall and one of the tallest in the eastern United States. Campers say the base hike at the falls is well worth the effort. Other trails range from easy to moderate, but the side trails to overlooks can be steep and rocky. Crossing a suspension bridge on the hike to Piney Falls is one of the unique highlights. In the warmer months, there are great swimming spots at the Cascades and George Hole near the camping area. There are also easy trails around the campground loops that work well for walking dogs.
2. Hickory Ridge Campground — Grayson Highlands State Park — Virginia
Location: Mouth of Wilson, VA
What makes it great: Staying at Hickory Ridge Campground is like getting a head start on the big hike, as the campground is located in the mountains at about 4,300 feet above sea level. The trail network, which can be reached right from the campground, consists of 18 trails ranging from a third of a mile to more than three miles, including a 2.5-mile stretch of the Appalachian Trail. There is also access to the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail.
3. Jenny Lake Campground — Grand Teton National Park — Wyoming
Location: Alta, WY
What makes it great: The extremely popular Jenny Lake Campground puts campers and hikers at the foot of the spectacular Teton Range, just a short walk from the eastern shore of Jenny Lake. It’s a small, tent-only campground that is tranquil, quiet and all about enjoying the peace of the outdoors.
4. Vogel State Park Campground — Georgia
Location: Blairsville, GA
What makes it great: Vogel State Park Campground sits at the foot of Blood Mountain surrounded by the Chattahoochee National Forest. Hikers have options for every skill level right from the park. The most popular is the four-mile Bear Hair Gap Loop, a moderate trail that’s easy to reach from the campground.
5. Baptism River Campground — Tettegouche State Park — Minnesota
Location: Silver Bay, MN
What makes it great: Baptism River Campground is located close to many of Tettegouche State Park’s best trails on Minnesota’s North Shore. The campground is open year round, including for winter camping (groomed trails are open for cross-country skiing), and provides easy access to trails and waterfalls.
6. Catalina State Park Campground — Arizona
Location: Tucson, AZ
What makes it great: Catalina State Park Campground is as close to great hiking trails as it is to the big city. The park’s trail network winds through 5,500 acres of foothills, canyons and streams and climbs into the Coronado National Forest, with thousands of saguaros along the way.
7. Table Rock State Park Campground — South Carolina
Location: Pickens, SC
What makes it great: Some of South Carolina’s best-known trails run through and around Table Rock State Park Campground. This 3,083-acre mountain park’s signature hike is the Table Rock Trail, a strenuous eight-mile round trip with about 4 miles of steep climbing to the summit. Along the way, overlooks like Governor’s Rock offer sweeping views of the surrounding mountains.
8. Davidson River Campground — North Carolina
Location: Brevard, NC
What makes it great: The sprawling Davidson River Campground opens campers up to a world of hiking in Pisgah National Forest, with trails starting right from the campground. The Art Loeb Trail begins at the entrance, and the 12.3-mile section is a serious challenge for experienced hikers. The 3.7-mile North Slope Trail is a good half-day hike, and a 1.5-mile walking trail along the Davidson River is an easy option for a morning stroll or jog.
9. Deception Pass State Park Campground — Washington
Location: Oak Harbor, WA
What makes it great: Deception Pass State Park Campground spreads across Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands, with forests, lakes and saltwater beaches all within walking distance. About 10 miles of the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail run through the park, and you can take it up to the summit of Goose Rock. Near Bowman Bay, the Lottie Point Loop and the Lighthouse Point Loop follow the rocky coast, with views of the lighthouse and the water.
10. Willow River State Park Campground — Wisconsin
Location: Hudson, WI
What makes it great: Willow River State Park Campground sits among the rolling countryside in northwest Wisconsin, just over half an hour from Minneapolis. The park’s most popular hike leads to Willow Falls, and most trailheads start right at the campground. The Willow Falls trail is mostly downhill on the way out, but the climb back is fairly steep. At the falls, hikers get spectacular views of the cascades and the Willow River Gorge.
