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(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(1,706)Calafia Beach Park
Picturesque beachfront park providing swimming, surfing & open recreational space with bluff views.
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(2,125)Platte River State Park
Protected forestland offering outdoor activities plus seasonal accommodations in cabins and tepees.
4.7(3,798)Island Lake Recreation Area
Sprawling 4,000-acre park with meadows & mature woodlands features a hot air balloon launch point.
4.7(71)Whitefish Lake
Forested mountain lake with a namesake state park & a lodge, plus camping, skiing, boating & hiking.
4.7(171)Alder Lake
Seven-mile long reservoir for kayaking & angling with mountain views, plus a campground.
4.7(2,581)Playa Del Rey Beach
Broad, peaceful sandy beach featuring volleyball courts, a paved bike path & fire pits.
4.7(2,449)Lake of Dreams
In-the-round show at Wynn featuring dreamlike atmosphere, aquatic ballet & gravity-defying stunts.
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(60)Ossipee Lake
Vacation homes surround this tranquil destination, with beaches for swimming, fishing & boating.
4.7(1,257)Jackson Lake Dam
Concrete dam completed in 1916, with panoramic views of Jackson Lake & the Grand Teton mountains.
4.7(394)Perdido Key Beach
Large natural space with coastline views, abundant wildlife, parks & a golf course.
4.7(1,828)Jalama Beach County Park
Public beachfront area with a popular snack shack, a sundry store, picnic tables & fire boxes.
4.7(604)Baldwin Beach
Popular family beach with picnic tables, paddle board rentals & views of nearby mountains.
4.7(2,274)Chula Vista Bayfront Park
A popular South Bay destination offering expansive views of San Diego Bay, Chula Vista Bayfront Park features a public boat-launching ramp, shoreline public art including Kenneth Capps' "Konoids" sculpture, picnic areas, and ample free parking. The park is part of a larger 535-acre waterfront redevelopment transforming former industrial land into a vibrant recreation corridor, with the adjacent 39-acre Sweetwater Park recently adding even more public green space along the bay.
4.7(4,612)Burke Lake Park
County recreational park featuring a fishing lake, picnic areas, a miniature train & playgrounds.
4.7(2,685)Ocean Reef Park
Public beach offering on-site lifeguards, a playground, saltwater fishing areas & picnic tables.
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