Best Lakeside & Riverside Camping in America
Find waterfront spots with a campground nearby — wake up steps from the water for swimming, fishing, and paddling.
All Lakeside & Riverside Camping
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4.7(2,938)Marina Park
A 15-acre oceanfront park sprinkled with palm trees, featuring a playground & volleyball area.
4.7(2,711)Pismo Beach
A classic Central Coast beach town known as the "Clam Capital of the World," Pismo Beach features a historic 1,200-foot pier built in 1928 where fishing requires no license. The wide, hard-packed sandy beaches are ideal for walking and sunset watching. From November to February, thousands of migrating monarch butterflies roost in local eucalyptus groves. Nearby attractions include ATV rides at Oceano Dunes, sea cave kayaking, wine tasting in Edna Valley, and the award-winning clam chowder at Splash Café.
4.7(734)Truckee River
The sole outlet of Lake Tahoe, the 121-mile Truckee River flows northeast through the Sierra Nevada to Pyramid Lake in Nevada, passing through Reno and Sparks. The river offers world-class Lahontan cutthroat trout fishing, casual summer tubing from Mayberry Park in Reno, and kayaking with Class I-III rapids. Downtown Reno's Truckee River Whitewater Park features a half-mile of progressive drop pools for practice. A 121-mile water trail with marked public access points spans the entire river from Lake Tahoe to Wadsworth.
4.7(959)Bear Creek Lake State Park
Set in Cumberland State Forest, this 40-acre lake hosts swimming, boating & fishing, plus cabins.
4.7(916)Raystown Lake Recreation Area
Natural area featuring an 8,300-acre lake with boating & fishing, plus hiking & summertime concerts.
4.7(3,232)Imperial Beach Pier
At the southernmost point in California near the Mexican border, Imperial Beach Pier extends nearly 1,500 feet into the Pacific with views of the Coronados Islands off the Mexican coast. Originally built in 1909 and rebuilt in 1963, the pier offers free public fishing — no California license required — with catches including surfperch, corbina, halibut, bonito, and leopard shark. Mussel-covered pilings and artificial rock reefs built in 1964 attract abundant marine life.
4.7(2,245)Seven Lakes State Park
Popular camping park offers 230 acres of shoreline, fishing & trails criss-crossing diverse terrain.
4.7(167)Laurel River Lake
Visitors to this sprawling, busy reservoir can enjoy swimming, fishing, camping & hiking.
4.7(5,044)Lake Sammamish State Park
512-acre park with ample waterfront access & boat launch, plus seasonal kayak rentals & picnicking.
4.7(2,850)Sunset State Beach
Beach surrounded by steep sand dunes offering picnic areas & campsites, plus bay & mountain views.
4.7(5,042)Seaside Beach Oregon
Oregon's original coastal vacation destination since the 1870s, Seaside Beach stretches 2.7 miles of wide, flat sand along the Pacific. The iconic 1.5-mile Promenade ('The Prom'), built in 1921, is one of the Pacific Northwest's most recognizable coastal landmarks. Visitors enjoy kite flying, surfing, razor clam digging, bonfires, and the historic Seaside Aquarium where you can feed harbor seals. A Lewis & Clark Salt Works replica marks where the Corps of Discovery camped in winter 1805-06.
4.7(891)T-Street Beach
Tall palm trees line this sandy beach & popular surfing destination with a long pier.
Tips for Visiting Lakeside & Riverside Camping
Reserve campsites early — waterfront spots book out fastest in summer
Check whether the campground is first-come or reservation-only
Pack a bear canister where required and store food safely
Confirm potable water and fire-ban status before you arrive