5 Epic Camping Trips in July

By Jeff Bogle

Jul 17, 2023

Whether you want to go fishing, boating, hiking, or biking, or relax under the stars, here are five July camping vacations to book this summer!

When you're considering destinations for memorable family camping in July, you must consider not only the amenities and available July camping activities and events in those locations but also July camping weather, because some parts of the country are just plain inhospitable during the summer months! For example, there’s some great camping on offer in Big Bend, Texas but the 100-degree heat advisories make it less attractive for some would-be campers looking for pleasant camping trips in July. Whether you want to go fishing in National Parks or pontoon boating, hiking or biking, or simply want to try out some new camping recipes for July, here are five July camping vacations to book this summer!
 

1. Minnewaska State Park Reserve, New York

 

If you're looking to leave behind the urban jungle of Manhattan for greener pastures, one of the best camping ideas for July is to make the 90-mile journey up I-87 to this beautiful campground that’s thousands of feet above sea level, on the Shawangunk Ridge — that’s nearly two times as high as the Empire State Building viewing platform. The views here, as well as the potential for great hikes and bike rides, are sublime, making it one of the best July camping vacations for New Yorkers and everyone in the Northeast.

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2. Ozark-St. Francis National Forests, Arkansas

 

There are well over one million acres of recreation space in this lush Arkansas haven that is perfectly suited for epic camping trips in July. July camping activities here include swimming and water sports at a total of nine beaches, in gorgeous lakes, and on many idyllic streams, as well as hiking on the more than 1,000 miles of trails throughout the forests. July camping vacations in the Ozark-St. Francis Forests in Arkansas can be at a proper RV or tent campground, or for something more primitive, try wilderness camping in any of the five designated Wilderness Areas. There are no facilities, campgrounds, or water, so when you're making your July camping checklist, you must pack bot-tled water or use a water filtration system when truly roughing it this summer.
 

3. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

 

If you're in search of the most scenic family camping in July, look no further than the Tetons! There are six campgrounds inside this grand park and some stellar options outside too, near the National Elk Refuge, that provide eye-popping views of the famous peaks, along with wildlife viewing possible from campsites for RVs or tents, or in a cozy cabin. When your camping trips in July bring you to Grand Teton, you may not even need many camping recipes for July because so many great restaurants in Jackson Hole are right next door!

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4. Kanab, Utah

 

The July camping events at the Dark Sky RV Campsite include soothing sound baths, sunrise meditation sessions, handmade markets for shopping, and Thursday evening socials to meet and mingle with other campers. And then of course there’s the best camping activity of all, the stunning unfiltered night sky glittering every night during July camp-ing vacations in this remote Utah paradise. You can also rent e-bikes to get moving during your camping trip and ride into Zion for one of the coolest July camping activities anywhere in the country!
 

5. Mark Twain National Forest, Missouri

 

The nine forests that make up Missouri's only National Forest cover over 1.5 million acres of public land in the Show Me State. There are phenomenal July camping vacations waiting for you and your family, with a mix of RV, manicured tent, and self and full-service cabin campsites available, each individually suited for fishing, hiking, biking, water sports, and the other July camping activities your family loves.

 

Looking for more July campaign trips in National Parks? Check out the best parks to visit this summer!

Jeff Bogle
Jeff Bogle
Jeff is a dad of teen daughters, avid traveler, photographer, and freelance writer. He’s penned stories on family travel, outdoor recreation, the environment, parenting, and more for Fodor’s, Reader’s Digest, Parents Magazine, Good Housekeeping, PBS, and Esquire, among other publications. Find him on his blog, OWTK.com and on Instagram @OWTK. Jeff is also the publisher of the quarterly literary zine, Stanchion