As someone who grew up hiking the Whites, I’ve been aware of Dolly Copp forever but never camped there. What a great choice!

PROs: Location! Away from the madness of North Conway and just 4 miles south of Gorham for quick breakfast in the a.m.

Location! Just a few miles north of Pinkham Notch visitor center, where trailhead for Mt Washington is and where you can grab a shower downstairs.

Location! Nestled in among the white birches and a Brook to lull you to sleep.

CONs: uhhh none that I’m aware of, except some current construction on the bridge over the brook, and a couple camping loops closed as a result.

Mount Blue is an awesome Maine State Park about 2 hrs. north-west of Portland, 1hr from the White Mts. in NH and 1.5 hours from the Quebec border. 

Chock full of activities from lakefront lounging, swimming, dark sky stargazing, fishing, biking, hiking, paddling and boating all from your campsite or nearby within the park. 

Our group had the South Shelter group camping area, lakefront with small beachfront where you can have a decent sized bonfire and keep kayaks, SUPs, etc. 

View is amazing, looking out across lake to Mount Blue and Tumbledown. Took the quick but steep hike up to the fire tower at Mount Blue's summit, about 3.5 miles RT. 

Also really liked: 

new and clean showers (individual shower rooms with hot water, are free!)

trails that link all campsites to the lake

super friendly staff

log cabin shelter at lake with a huge stone fireplace - didn't use it but this would be great for a group dinner

group site was spacious and slopes up from lake with plenty of shaded tent areas - we had about 8 tents and didn't feel crowded in the least

group site also has a spacious shelter and fire pit area at the top of the slope, with 4 picnic tables - cool for the showers we experienced when several people could fit inside under the roof, play games and wait out the storms. 

Of note: 

The shower house is located a good ways off from the group sites, over in the tent and RV/trailer site area. Some of us walked ands others biked or drove over. 

At the group site there is a decent outhouse but no running water - so plan for that. 

Showers were diagonal from site 9 in the camping area. 

Def. check this beautiful state park out, and you can support Maine State Parks by purchasing an annual pass for around $105.

Hermit Lake Shelter is about 2.5 miles up from Pinkham Visitor Center/Trailhead, so you're about halfway to summit – perfect place to camp for a sunrise hike. 

Restrooms, tent platforms and lean to shelters are all available at this USFS dispersed camping site right next to the AMC caretaker station. 

We had two platforms and a hammock in between, great location to watch the night skies. Then checked out one of the shelters, which is a super option if you don't want to pack a tent. 

Also a plus, fresh spring water is available just up the trail at the water pump.

And like the previous reviewer, we used the bear locker (definitely black bears in the area)

Flamingo is right inside the national park and is the only center with services available in the park; marina, food and convenience store, rental equipment, boat tours with park naturalist, food truck, and a pricy gas pump for emergencies. 

Once you’re all the way down to Flamingo, you’re 50 miles away from nearest town, so bring everything you need that you wouldn't normally find at a convenience store. 

Nice array of overnight options: tent camping, new canvas eco tents with electricity, camper sites and even 6-person houseboats to rent (next time!).

I found one of the eco tents that had just been converted to off season (April-November), meaning no furniture except a fan and a large lantern. Bedding etc. is all removed for rainy summertime to avoid mold. Also means you pay $50 instead of $99, great deal! Bring air mattress and camp chairs and you’re good!

Loved the experience, with 3 sides of the tent being screens – can be completely opened or covered for privacy. Woke up to a gale blowing in from the water, felt partially like being on safari and partially like staying on a boat.

Things to know:

Try for waterfront tents 3,4 5, 6, 7 or 8. 

No eating or drinking inside the tents - they’re spotless but food remnants would quickly draw bugs in this climate. There are shared tables and fire pits for guests.

Food-wise, the food truck is OK for lunch but next Time I’d pack pre-made dinner and use the store’s microwave to heat it up. Options for anything healthy at the marina store are pretty scant. But… they do have lots of Haagen Dazs flavors for dessert! 

To solve for morning coffee, I’d pack my electric kettle and a french press or pour over next time, & drink it out on the tent deck. Coffee in store not recommended.

And bring your bike, kayak or board, and trail runners. All possible right from the campsite! Luckily I had all 3 :)

Definitely an experience not to miss - and every single person on staff at Flamingo was super friendly and full of great info and tips.

Little Talbot is just over a small bridge to Amelia Island via A1A. Inside an ecological reserve with kayakable waterways stretching for miles.

My visit was at the end of February, beautiful breezy nights with no bugs. Super relaxing, nice to camp under Spanish Moss for a natural Florida feel. Because you’re on the Atlantic coast in FL, flash showers happen - so just have the rain fly handy and it’ll pass typically pretty quickly. Fun to pull up the weather map and watch the showers roll in - had wifi from the site but don’t know if that’s always the case, seems unlikely.

Had campsite 6 with one neighbor in 5, both are a quick walk to shower house but I think I’d prefer/recommend sites 7-10 to be more away from the bathrooms. Btw, showers and bathrooms very clean and (bonus!) screened in, plus there’s a big fan in case it gets buggy out.

I agree with one of the past reviews re: some road noise, but nothing that kept me awake at all.

Take the walk across the street to the trails and beach, about a 4-5 mile loop. Or just up the road on bike you’ll be on bike trails throughout Amelia Island - stop in at the Omni Hotel property for a bite. Also close by, don’t miss Fernandina Beach (a leisurely drive of about 25 min.) where you can check out the fort and historic downtown - super cool with some good food and beer options. Photogenic town right on the Georgia line but no bridge so it’s boat only to get across.

Last, just a little plug for the FL State Parks annual pass. Supports a good cause and will motivate you to check out some really cool areas of the state. Camp more too.

Base camp to Katahdin, close in to Millinocket. Went with a diverse group of campers with hammock, tent and cabin sleeping preferences and everybody found their spot.

Pros are: clean (like super clean) showers and bath house, fire pit and picnic table at each site and cabin, super helpful, friendly hosts and last minute gear avail at the office (we got a waterproof map for Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument).

Only con I can think of is the tent sites are a bit close together and barely deep enough to park a car (not sure if a larger SUV or F350 would even fit) - just a bit of a congested layout overall.

Would go back, nice option to the Baxter or other backcountry sites with no bathrooms, or for times those sites are all taken.

Big fan of the Huttopia experience, hope to explore some of their France locations once we're cleared for European travel again. 

Pros: 

Swimming options, including: beachfront, middle of the lake, or pool. 

Lakeside fire and sunset with the loons calling - perfect combo. 

Airstream food truck serving up espresso drinks and crepes, because why cook? 

Cons: 

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