PORTLAND, Ore., July 9, 2026 — The Dyrt, the app to get the best campsites, built by the largest RVing and camping community in the U.S., has announced the 2026 Best Places to Camp Near Cities Presented by 57hours, a platform that helps people discover and book outdoor adventures led by expert local guides.
Camping is inherently about the great outdoors and getting away from it all. But people don’t always have the time, opportunities or resources to travel the country or explore too far from home. By some estimates, nearly 100 million people live within 50 miles of the 10 biggest cities in the United States. So The Dyrt has put together a collection of the top campgrounds near the 10 most populous cities in America that people can get to in under an hour.
The criteria for the Best Places to Camp Near Cities is a campground must be highly rated and reviewed by members of The Dyrt Community and within 50 miles of New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, Philadelphia, San Antonio, San Diego, Dallas or Jacksonville. There are many great options to choose from, but we selected one campground for each metro area.
The campgrounds ranked on the Best Places to Camp Near Cities list are all great for their own reasons, and can hold their own compared to properties on overall Best Places to Camp lists. They’re also very easy to get to for almost a third of the people in this country. Taking that into consideration, make sure you book your campsite early, or use The Dyrt PRO to set up Dyrt Alerts to help you get reservations at sold-out campgrounds.
Stella Mare RV Resort in Galveston, Texas, tops the big-city list after ranking No. 6 in the 2025 Best Places to Camp in the Central Region. Stafford Beach Campground at the Cumberland Island National Seashore, on this list because of its proximity to Jacksonville, is No. 2 and requires a 3.5-mile hike to the campground from the Sea Camp dock.
America’s two largest cities, New York and Los Angeles, are 3,000 miles away on opposite coasts, but they share room in the top 5 of this list. North of the Big Apple lies the Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center in Harriman State Park, and off the coast of L.A. is the secluded Parsons Landing Campground on Catalina Island.
Before you check out the photos and read all about the honorees from the Best Places to Camp Near Cities Presented by 57hours, take a look back at Best Places to Camp Near Water, Best Places to Camp For Free, Best Places to Camp: National Park Neighbors and Best Places to Camp With Kids. Keep an eye out in the coming weeks and months for more Best Places to Camp awards for those looking for a very specific, once-in-a-lifetime camping adventure.
1. Stella Mare RV Resort — Houston
Location: Galveston, TX
What makes it great: Stella Mare RV Resort accommodates RVs up to 90 feet with full hookups, offering both pull-through and perimeter sites, and features paved roads that make access easy. Beyond the basics, Stella Mare goes out of its way to build a genuine sense of community. There’s a heated pool, a splash pad and playground for kids, and separate dog parks for large and small breeds.
The social calendar keeps things lively year-round, with craft sessions, bingo nights and even holiday golf cart parades that bring together short-term visitors and the resort’s loyal winter residents. A rotating food truck adds another nice touch for guests looking for a quick bite without leaving the property. One of the resort’s biggest draws is its location: it’s just under an hour’s drive from Houston, making it an easy escape for city dwellers craving the coast without a long haul. At the same time, it sits close enough to Galveston’s own beaches and Seawall attractions for easy day trips, while still feeling tucked away and peaceful.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “This place did not disappoint. Amazing all around! A lot of activities for the little ones and the pool was really nice and heated! There was even a couple residents that got out some kites and bubbles for the kids!” — John P
Campground details
Price: $45-$565
Number of sites: 195
RV sites: Yes
Fires allowed: Yes
Pets allowed: Yes
2. Stafford Beach Campground — Cumberland Island National Seashore — Jacksonville
Location: St. Marys, GA
What makes it great: Stafford Beach Campground on Cumberland Island National Seashore offers a rare kind of backcountry camping: peaceful, shaded and genuinely secluded, yet still equipped with real amenities. Reaching it requires a 3.5-mile hike in from the Sea Camp dock, which keeps crowds thin compared to the island’s main camping area. Once there, campers find large sites with heavy tree coverage, cold showers, restrooms, and a non-potable water source, a comfortable middle ground between wilderness and convenience that reviewers repeatedly praise.
What makes Stafford Beach special is the sense of having a barrier island almost entirely to yourself. The beach is just a five-minute walk from the sites, and wild horses roam freely across the island, often wandering right past camp. Spanish moss drapes over the trees, creating what more than one camper described as a magical, tropical atmosphere, and during summer months loggerhead turtles nest along the shore at night. While Stafford Beach feels worlds away from civilization, the drive to the ferry departure point is just 37 minutes from Jacksonville.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “This is a spot everyone should experience! The greenery is beautiful. We enjoyed walking around the island and exploring the old ruins. I definitely would love to revisit this spot and spend a little more time here.” — Jalissa Y
Campground details
Price: $12
Number of sites: 10
RV sites: No
Fires allowed: Yes
Pets allowed: No
3. Usery Mountain Regional Park — Phoenix
Location: Mesa, AZ
What makes it great: Usery Mountain Regional Park sits beneath the Usery and Superstition Mountains in the Sonoran Desert. Campers consistently praise this Maricopa County park for its numbered gravel sites, each equipped with a concrete picnic table, metal fire ring, and electrical and water hookups. The park is a haven for outdoor recreation, connecting to an extensive trail network that stretches into the Tonto National Forest. The popular Wind Cave Trail draws frequent hikers, while the Hawes trail system and additional mountain biking routes offer plenty of variety for cyclists.
Saguaro cacti dot the desert terrain, birdwatching opportunities abound, and an on-site archery range adds a unique activity for guests willing to pay a small usage fee. Reservations are recommended, since booking a site also eliminates the standard vehicle entry fee that day-use visitors pay. Perhaps the biggest draw is how the park manages to feel remote while remaining wonderfully convenient: it’s about 40 minutes from Phoenix, giving campers easy access to city amenities without sacrificing that desert-getaway feeling.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “Beautiful Campground close to city amenities. We absolutely love this campground. Close to everything, including some awesome Mountain Biking from green to double black diamond trails. Large spaces with water, power and super clean. Highly Recommend!!!!” — Marty P
Campground details
Price: $40
Number of sites: 73
RV sites: Yes
Fires allowed: Yes
Pets allowed: Yes
4. Parsons Landing Campground — Los Angeles
Location: Two Harbors, CA
What makes it great: Parsons Landing Campground sits on a secluded stretch of beach at the far end of Catalina Island, and reaching it is half the adventure. Visitors take a ferry to Two Harbors, then hike roughly seven to eight miles along a relatively flat road to the campground itself. With only eight sites scattered along the shore, each protected by stacked rock windbreaks and equipped with a picnic table, fire pit, and food storage box, it offers a rare and truly secluded beach camping experience.
What makes this spot so special is its unspoiled, castaway feel. The water is remarkably clear, making it a fantastic destination for snorkeling, and the narrow, rocky beach gives every site a front-row view of the ocean. A locker system delivers pre-purchased water and firewood right to camp, a thoughtful touch since there’s no natural water source on site. Parsons Landing is about 40 miles off the California coast and Los Angeles County.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “One of the most amazing campgrounds I’ve ever stayed at. You’re on a sandy beach with waves crashing on the shore. There’s only a handful of sites, so try to book this early.” — Luis N
Campground details
Price: $20-$25
Number of sites: 8
RV sites: No
Fires allowed: Yes
Pets allowed: No
5. AMC Harriman Outdoor Center — Harriman State Park — New York
Location: Haverstraw, NY
What makes it great: The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center, tucked into Harriman State Park, offers a rare combination of true wilderness immersion and genuine comfort. The peaceful lake at the park’s center is perfect for canoeing, swimming and simply relaxing by the water. Accommodations include cozy platform campsites and cabins, both especially appreciated during rainy weather, and the surrounding hiking trails cater to every skill level, from casual walkers to seasoned hikers looking for a full loop around the lake.
The on-site dining hall, run by a talented chef, is a major highlight, with guests raving about the food and recommending the meal plan as well worth the added cost. Wildlife sightings are common, with beavers frequently spotted from the dining hall patio, and the clean, well-maintained bathrooms and bear boxes add to the feeling of a first-class, thoughtfully run operation. Harriman State Park is about 40 minutes north of New York City, making it an ideal escape for city dwellers craving nature without a long drive. It’s even accessible by public transportation, with a shuttle running to and from the Tuxedo Park Train Station.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “This was a beautiful campground with an even nicer lake. You are able to do a hike around the lake. They have both cabins for rent and camping spots on platforms which are great, especially when it rains. You can also rent canoes and take them out on the lake for an afternoon activity.” — Ethan K
Campground details
Price: $36
Number of sites: 32
RV sites: No
Fires allowed: No
Pets allowed: No
6. The Range Vintage Trailer Resort — Dallas
Location: Ennis, TX
What makes it great: The Range Vintage Trailer Resort brings resort-style camping to the Texas countryside on the outskirts of Dallas. This private campground accommodates RVs up to 32 feet with electric, water and sewer connections, plus Wi-Fi throughout the property, and the grounds include access to a creek and nearby lake for fishing. Beyond the spacious layout, The Range feels more like a boutique getaway than a typical RV park.
The property features hiking trails, a pool area, and weekend dining options in an on-site barn, plus rental Airstream trailers alongside guest sites for those who want the vintage experience without owning one. The Range is an easy weekend escape for city dwellers looking to unplug without venturing too far from home. That mix of rural tranquility and city-adjacent convenience, combined with the resort’s thoughtful amenities and warm hospitality, makes it clear why The Range has become a standout destination for RV and Airstream travelers alike.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “Do yourself a favor and stay here. Incredible hosts, amenities and landscape . A beautiful weekend or weeks-long getaway.” — Paula P
Campground details
Price: $98
Number of sites: 22
RV sites: Yes
Fires allowed: Yes
Pets allowed: Yes
7. Fiddlers Cove RV Park — San Diego
Location: Coronado, CA
What makes it great: Fiddlers Cove RV Park, located on a military installation in Coronado, offers a unique blend of waterfront views and well-maintained facilities, with full hookups and spacious sites making it a solid choice for RVers and tent campers alike. Sites feature 20/30/50 amp power along with water and sewer connections, and many back-in and pull-through spots sit right on the water, giving campers a front-row seat to the bay.
A small store and boathouse offer kayak, boat and paddleboard rentals, and campers love that the property sits nestled between the bay and the Pacific Ocean, with fire pits available at many of the waterfront sites. Fiddlers Cove is less than a half-hour from San Diego and even closer to downtown Coronado and its beaches.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “Best military campground so far. We were lucky to get a campsite for five days. Our site (48) is waterfront with a great view of the bay. The staff is helpful, the sites are wide, level and clean. We lived on Coronado for many years and are thrilled to be able to stay here.” — Mary C
Campground details
Price: $40-$58
Number of sites: 57
RV sites: Yes
Fires allowed: Yes
Pets allowed: Yes
8. Summit Vacation Resort — San Antonio
Location: New Braunfels, TX
What makes it great: Summit Vacation Resort sits in a peaceful valley surrounded by Texas Hill Country hills, offering campers a quiet base with easy access to the Guadalupe River. The resort accommodates RVs up to 80 feet with full hookups on mostly level sites, each equipped with fire rings and picnic tables. Beyond the river, this resort feels like a full vacation destination in itself.
A large pool area comes complete with a cafe, and the property offers tube rentals along with a tubing shuttle service for float trips down the Guadalupe. Additional amenities include tennis courts, miniature golf, basketball courts, and a fenced dog park with a picnic table, giving both kids and pets plenty to enjoy. Deer herds wander through the campsites each evening, and campers report good cellular coverage backed up by campground Wi-Fi. Summit Vacation Resort is just 45 minutes from San Antonio, making it an easy weekend getaway for city residents craving river time and quiet green space.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “This camp is so much more than an RV camp. River access is down a series of steps. Water is beautifully shallow and slow moving. Office store staff are sweet and friendly. Buy camp necessities, souvenirs, rent tubes for the river. Cabins for rent also. Lots of space in campground. Level sites. Clean bathhouse. Fabulous pool, hot tub. Cute playground for kids.” — Kathy S
Campground details
Price: $30-$650
Number of sites: 115
RV sites: Yes
Fires allowed: No
Pets allowed: No
9. Camp Reinberg — Chicago
Location: Palatine, IL
What makes it great: Camp Reinberg, a county-managed campground tucked into Deer Grove Forest Preserve in suburban Palatine, has heated restrooms with showers, a camp store, communal kitchen, and pavilions, with free firewood included. With five RV sites offering electric hookups and a handful of tent sites, plus rentable cabins, it strikes a balance between rustic charm and real convenience.
Camp Reinberg delivers a true forest escape without sacrificing comfort. Campers can explore the preserve’s varied terrain, from wooded sections to open fields and lily pad-covered ponds, with hiking and biking trails winding for miles throughout the park. Not only is Chicago just 40 minutes away, but grocery stores and restaurants are within walking distance. That blend of suburban convenience and genuine forest tranquility is exactly why so many campers keep coming back to this hidden gem.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “Loved everything about this place. The staff is so helpful, well maintained, nice trail system. We tent camped on site #1 and would definitely book that spot again. We also came back last weekend and stayed in one of the large cabins- game changer in the winter! It’s a perfect spot for a weekend away from Chicago, will definitely be back.” — Katie A
Campground details
Price: $45-$60
Number of sites: 18
RV sites: Yes
Fires allowed: Yes
Pets allowed: Yes
10. Blackbird State Forest Campground — Philadelphia
Location: Smyrna, DE
What makes it great: Blackbird State Forest Campground, tucked into the woods near Smyrna, Delaware, offers a rare kind of intimate camping experience with only eight sites total. Every site comes with a picnic table and fire pit, perfect for evening gatherings. What really stands out about Blackbird State Forest is the sense of seclusion paired with genuine natural beauty.
The surrounding forest offers plenty of hiking trails, and while an occasional hiker might pass by a site, campers say it’s never enough to disrupt the tranquility of the setting. Clean port-a-potties are a short walk from most sites, and though there’s no running water or electric hookups, the simplicity only adds to the back-to-nature charm. Despite its quiet, tucked-away feel, this campground is less than an hour from Philly, making it a convenient option for city dwellers looking for a peaceful weekend retreat in the woods.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “Only 8 sites in the campground, very spaced apart. Each site has lots of room, very much enjoyed our stay and will return!” — Sarah M
Campground details
Price: $25
Number of sites: 8
RV sites: Yes
Fires allowed: Yes
Pets allowed: Yes