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(929)Steamboat Lake State Park
Waterfront park offering year-round recreation, including camping, boating & cross-country skiing.
4.7(2,668)Cortez Beach
Tucked away on Anna Maria Island, Cortez Beach offers 140 feet of undeveloped shoreline with powdery white sand, clear turquoise Gulf waters, and an "Old Florida" charm that's hard to find. The calm, warm waters rival Caribbean conditions and are perfect for swimming and snorkeling. During turtle season, marked sea turtle nests dot the shore, and dolphins and manatees are frequent visitors. Free admission and roadside parking, though no lifeguards or restrooms on the beach itself.
4.7(2,024)Cayucos State Beach
This sandy beach with lifeguards in the summer offers swimming, surfing & night fishing on the pier.
4.7(116)Elk Lake
A scenic byway hugs this lake fringed by peaks & campsites, popular for swimming & boating.
4.7(2,702)North Higgins Lake State Park
Lakeside park with a swimming beach plus opportunities for fishing, hiking, camping & picnicking.
4.7(986)Asylum Lake Preserve
274-acre park with a sizable lake, several hiking trails & wildlife like deer & waterfowl.
4.7(604)Baldwin Beach
Popular family beach with picnic tables, paddle board rentals & views of nearby mountains.
4.7(2,788)Lake Wilderness Park
This 117-acre park in Maple Valley features a seasonal swim beach with lifeguards on the scenic 42-acre Lake Wilderness, plus boat rentals (no combustion engines). An 8-mile loop trail winds through a 42-acre arboretum with cultivated gardens, a nature preserve, and a Tribal Life Trail highlighting Native American plant use. Facilities include pickleball and tennis courts, a disc golf course, picnic shelters, and connections to the regional Cedar River Trail.
4.7(394)Perdido Key Beach
Large natural space with coastline views, abundant wildlife, parks & a golf course.
4.7(1,606)Lake of the Ozarks
Big, scenic reservoir with many shore attractions, including camping, fishing & underground caverns.
4.7(4,380)Falls Lake State Recreation Area
Scenic destination for picnicking, hiking & mountain biking, plus beaches, swimming & boat launches.
4.7(855)Mavericks Beach
Legendary beach known as a destination for serious big-wave surfers & an invite-only contest.
4.7(5,928)Kure Beach Pier
Built in 1923, Kure Beach Pier is the oldest fishing pier on the Atlantic Coast. Standing 26 feet above the ocean and extending 711 feet into the Atlantic, this family-owned pier offers fishing for Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, flounder, and bluefish — no fishing license required. The pier house is open 24 hours daily from Good Friday through Thanksgiving and features a tackle shop, ice cream vendors, an arcade, and spectators can stroll for free.
4.7(1,670)Cooper Lake State Park South Sulphur Unit
Lakeside camping, cabins, water sports, hiking, birding & more on a natural prairie.
4.7(1,210)Kelleys Island State Park
Accessible via ferry, a preserve offering camp sites, fishing & a boat launch into Lake Erie.
4.7(3,798)Island Lake Recreation Area
Sprawling 4,000-acre park with meadows & mature woodlands features a hot air balloon launch point.
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