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Best Lakeside & Riverside Camping in America

Find waterfront spots with a campground nearby — wake up steps from the water for swimming, fishing, and paddling.

659+ LocationsTop-Rated Only
CampingSwimmingFishingKayakingCampfires

All Lakeside & Riverside Camping

Page 17 of 28
Blythe Island Regional Park4.6(1,397)

Blythe Island Regional Park

Park · Brunswick, Georgia
Camping nearby

This 1,100-acre park features a lake with fishing & swimming, plus a playground & picnic pavilions.

De Anza Cove Park4.6(2,357)

De Anza Cove Park

Park · San Diego, California
Camping nearby

Beachfront park offering volleyball courts, picnic space, a multiuse path, boat launch & playground.

Pier Santa Barbara4.6(6,289)

Pier Santa Barbara

Tourist attraction · Santa Barbara, California
Camping nearby

Stearns Wharf is California's oldest working wooden wharf, built in 1872 and stretching 2,300 feet into Santa Barbara Harbor. The 3.8-acre pier has survived storms, tornadoes, and fires over 150 years and today hosts restaurants, a shellfish market, the Sea Center marine museum with interactive touch tanks, a winery, and free fishing access. The Dolphin Fountain sculpture marks the entrance, and visitors enjoy panoramic views of the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Channel Islands.

Grandview Surf Beach4.6(567)

Grandview Surf Beach

Beach · Encinitas, California
Camping nearby

White sandy beach below cliff bluffs with a well known surfing break & clifftop parking.

Hopeville Pond State Park4.6(915)

Hopeville Pond State Park

State park · Griswold, Connecticut
Camping nearby

This serene spot offers an 80-site campground, boat launch, biking & walking trails & picnic tables.

Carpinteria City Beach4.6(74)

Carpinteria City Beach

Beach · Carpinteria, California
Camping nearby

Small, bustling beach for swimming, surfing, boogey boarding & other water activities.

Hillsborough River State Park Campground4.6(568)

Hillsborough River State Park Campground

Campground · Thonotosassa, Florida
Camping nearby

Scenic state park with seven miles of nature trails & a kayak launch, plus an outdoor swimming pool.

Cuivre River State Park4.6(1,760)

Cuivre River State Park

State park · Troy, Missouri
Camping nearby

Prairie & forest trails for hikers & equestrians plus lake access for boating, fishing & swimming.

Thomas F. Regan Memorial City Beach4.6(1,910)

Thomas F. Regan Memorial City Beach

Public beach · South Lake Tahoe, California
Camping nearby

Secluded lakefront park often used for weddings, with a playground & a seasonal restaurant.

Alamo Lake State Park4.6(471)

Alamo Lake State Park

State park · Wenden, Arizona
Camping nearby

Desert state park around a manmade lake with campsites, hiking & OHV trails & a visitor center.

Budd Lake4.6(69)

Budd Lake

Lake · Michigan
Camping nearby

Angling is popular on this scenic, 175-acre lake bordering a state park with a beach & campsites.

Destin Harbor Boardwalk4.6(11,067)

Destin Harbor Boardwalk

Tourist attraction · Destin, Florida
Camping nearby

Bustling destination for bars, restaurants, souvenir shops, boating & tourist attractions.

McConaughy Lake4.6(529)

McConaughy Lake

Lake · Nebraska
Camping nearby

Expansive recreational lake offering beaches, boat ramps, campgrounds, fishing spots & restaurants.

Lakeview Commons4.6(1,808)

Lakeview Commons

Beach · South Lake Tahoe, California
Camping nearby

Public beach offering lakeside picnic tables, BBQ grills & a boat ramp, plus summer concerts.

Claytor Lake4.6(173)

Claytor Lake

Lake · Virginia
Camping nearby

Created for a hydroelectric project, this 4,472-acre reservoir is a popular boating & fishing spot.

Calusa Beach & Loggerhead Beach4.6(1,709)

Calusa Beach & Loggerhead Beach

Public beach · Big Pine Key, Florida
Camping nearby

Narrow strip with a campground, restrooms & showers, popular for kayaking, swimming & snorkeling.

Tips for Visiting Lakeside & Riverside Camping

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Reserve campsites early — waterfront spots book out fastest in summer

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Check whether the campground is first-come or reservation-only

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Pack a bear canister where required and store food safely

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Confirm potable water and fire-ban status before you arrive