The new year is here – and with it comes a whole lot of expectations for ‘new’. Resolutions are a time to refresh your mindset and take a step towards something new and exciting. This could mean starting a new workout routine, a new book, learning a new skill, or trying a new career path. But what about embarking on a new adventure? A new year marks a new chance to cross one more destination off your travel bucket list. Perhaps a chance to escape the cold by heading south, or capture a glimpse of the shimmering Northern Lights. Whatever you decide – we’re here to help fuel your adventurous spirit with our list of the best campsites to visit in 2022.

Dry Tortugas National Park – Florida, USA

Looking for a tropical destination to escape the bitter cold without the hassles of international travel? Dry Tortugas National Park is a 100 square mile paradise, located 70 miles west of Key West Florida. With its location being closer to Cuba than Mainland America, this is the closest you can get to the Caribbean without breaking out your passport. Surrounded by water, the park hosts seven islands which provides countless snorkeling opportunities for ocean enthusiasts. If staying on land is more your speed – the park also boasts a number of beautiful beaches. Since the beaches are protected, Sea Turtles have been known to use the land as a safe breeding ground. If you’re lucky, you may get to view them come up on shore for a once in a lifetime sight!

Arches National Park – Utah, USA

Described as a ‘Red Rock Wonderland’ – Arches National Park is home to over 2,000 natural stone arches and towering pinnacles. If you’re looking for an area to get outdoors and active, Arches is an excellent choice. Whether it’s camping, hiking, horseback riding, rock climbing, or biking, there’s something to appeal to every outdoor enthusiast. Due to the desert landscape and lack of human housing, Arches is home to some of the darkest skies in America. This makes for some extraordinary stargazing views. With just the naked eye you can see astounding visions of the Milky Way, and with good conditions, binoculars can help you see the Rings of Saturn.

Pacific Rim National Park, British Columbia, CAN

Are you a hiker looking for a new challenge? Look no further than the Pacific Rim National Park in BC, Canada. This gorgeous park is home to the famous West Coast Trail – a 47 mile multi day hike through the ancient trade paths of the BC First Nations People. However, the path is harsh. Trekkers must face over 100 ladder climbs and trudge through deep mud and mountain fed rivers. Although through all of this – you get to experience breathtaking views, camp along the beach, and explore the “Ship Graveyard of the Pacific”. The trail is open from May 1st to September 30th for the 2022 season, and take note that reservations are mandatory.

Glacier National Park – Montana, US

Discover the pristine beauty of alpine lakes and streams in the historical Glacier National Park. Hit the mountains on Rogers Pass for some world class skiing, enjoy challenging yet beautiful hike trails, or just kick back and enjoy the surrounding mountain views. For anglers – the park is home to 1,606 miles of stream and 253 snow-fed lakes! Glacier National Park’s claim to fame is being the only park in the nation with 22 species of fish, including 6 species of trout. If you’re looking to take the fishing trip of a lifetime this season, Glacier National Park better be on itinerary!

How to Get There

With such a rural destination, directions can get tricky. All fishing trips meet in West Glacier, 25 miles east of Whitefish on highway US-2.

Yellowknife – Northwest Territories, CAN

Although Yellowknife is a city rather than a campground, the entire region is surrounding by stunning natural beauty. Right out of the airport, you can find yourself surrounded by parks, lakes and rivers. The most notable feature being, of course, the Northern Lights. Along Yellowknife’s shores of Great Slave Lake, visitors have a 95% chance of witnessing the stunning colors of Aurora Borealis. During regular seasons, Aurora Village offers viewings in traditional heated Teepees, alongside a professional photographer to capture the moment forever. Peak viewing season typically runs from September – April, so (travel restrictions allowing), there is still plenty of time in the season!

Accomodations

We’re a big fan of HipCamp here at Napier. HipCamp offers an all-in-one booking solution for campgrounds, cabins, treehouses, and glamping! If you haven’t done so already, we encourage you to check out our in-depth post on HipCamp here

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