Take Time Out for a Vacation in Nature: The Best Ways to Enjoy the Great Outdoors

Sometimes you need a vacation that gets you right out into nature – waking up to birdsong instead of an alarm, and deciding which trail to hike today instead of which metro car is less packed.

If you’re ready to get away from the world that’s beating you down and into a world that will reinvigorate and inspire you, here are some fabulous ideas for vacations that’ll get you into the great outdoors!

RV Camping

RV camping opens up possibilities you might not have considered. Imagine having your own bed, kitchen, and bathroom while parked beside a pristine lake or beneath towering redwoods. You control where you travel to, how long you stay, and what adventures each day brings.

The flexibility alone makes RV camping a fantastic option for a nature vacation. You could spend one morning at Malibu Beach RV Park in California, watching surfers catch waves with your coffee in hand. A few days later, you might find yourself at Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park, where elk graze just outside your window.

Mountain Majesty and Desert Dreams

Glacier National Park welcomes RVs at several campgrounds, and the park’s dramatic peaks and glacial lakes create a backdrop that makes every meal at your RV’s dinette feel like fine dining with a view.

For a completely different experience, Big Bend National Park in Texas offers RV camping in one of the darkest night sky regions in the country. Rio Grande Village RV Park offers full hookups, allowing you to stay comfortable while experiencing the raw beauty of the Chihuahuan Desert. The stars here shine so bright, you’ll understand why ancient civilizations built their calendars around them.

Coastal Camping Adventures

Ocean lovers will find paradise at Cape Hatteras National Seashore in North Carolina. Oregon Inlet Campground accommodates RVs and puts you steps from pristine beaches. Morning walks might reveal dolphin pods playing in the surf, while evenings bring spectacular sunsets over the Atlantic.

The truly adventurous might consider Denali National Park in Alaska. Riley Creek Campground stays open year-round, so you can stop here and see the northern lights begin their dance across the sky. Grizzlies, caribou, and wolves call this wilderness home, with wildlife viewing opportunities found nowhere else in North America.

Cabin Rentals

There’s something special about cabin life. Maybe it’s the warm wood interiors, the crackling fireplaces, or the way morning light filters through forest windows. Cabins offer a perfect balance, giving you shelter and comfort while keeping you close to nature’s rhythms.

Nicole Creek Cabins exemplifies this balance beautifully. You’ll find the rustic charm you’re seeking along with the modern amenities that make longer stays comfortable. It’s the kind of place where you can spend mornings on the porch with coffee and afternoons hiking and hanging out with fellow travelers, planning tomorrow’s adventure.

Mountain Hideaways

The Great Smoky Mountains region has perfected the cabin rental experience. Properties range from intimate one-bedrooms perfect for couples to spacious lodges that accommodate extended families. Spring brings wildflower blooms that carpet the mountainsides, while fall creates a tapestry of reds, oranges, and golds that photographers dream about.

Hocking Hills State Park in Ohio surprises many visitors with its dramatic gorges, waterfalls, and cave systems. Cabins here often sit on private acreage, giving you space to reconnect without distractions. The park’s trails lead to natural wonders, such as Old Man’s Cave and Ash Cave – great for easy to moderate hikes.

Western Wonders

Near Zion National Park, cabin rentals put you minutes from some of America’s most iconic red rock formations. Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort offers cabins with decks perfect for stargazing after days spent hiking the Narrows or conquering Angels Landing.

For those seeking luxury in the wilderness, Dunton Hot Springs in Colorado transformed an abandoned mining town into an exclusive retreat. Natural hot springs provide relaxation after days exploring the San Juan Mountains, creating an experience that rejuvenates both body and spirit.

California’s Big Sur coast is home to beautiful cabins where the forest dramatically meets the ocean. Look for cabins that place you among coastal redwoods while keeping you close to Highway 1’s scenic drives and hidden beach coves.

Tent Camping

Tent camping brings you closest to the natural world. You’ll hear every night sound, feel every breeze, and wake with the sun. It’s an experience that reminds you of how our ancestors lived and why so many of us feel drawn to simplicity.

Modern tent camping caters to a wide range of comfort levels. You might choose established campgrounds with bathrooms and picnic tables, or venture into the backcountry where you create your own campsite. You might even enjoy alternating between the two!

National Park Camping Experiences

Yosemite National Park provides options for lots of camping styles. Upper Pines Campground offers convenience and amenities in the valley, while wilderness permits let you camp beneath Half Dome’s shadow or beside alpine lakes. The park’s granite cliffs and waterfalls create a stunning backdrop that makes even the simplest camp meals feel special.

Acadia National Park in Maine combines mountain and ocean camping opportunities. Seawall Campground puts you near tide pools and rocky shores, where you can fall asleep to ocean sounds and wake to watch the country’s first sunrise. The park’s carriage roads offer easy exploration by bike or foot.

Desert and Wilderness Escapes

Joshua Tree National Park creates an almost otherworldly camping experience. Hidden Valley Campground places you among the park’s namesake trees and unique rock formations. The desert’s silence and clear skies create perfect conditions for meditation and stargazing.

For those seeking true wilderness, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Minnesota offers camping accessible only by paddle. You’ll portage your canoe and gear between pristine lakes, setting up camp on shores where loons call and moose wade. It’s challenging but deeply rewarding.

Olympic National Park in Washington showcases an incredible diversity of nature. Kalaloch Campground offers oceanfront sites where you might spot gray whales during migration. Hoh Campground places you in a temperate rainforest so dense and green it feels prehistoric.

Creating Your Perfect Nature Blend

Why limit yourself to one experience? Many travelers find joy in combining different accommodation styles throughout their journey. This approach lets you sample various comfort levels and experiences while maintaining flexibility.

You might start at a full-service RV park to get oriented and stock up on supplies. After a few days, pack your tent and hiking gear for a backcountry camping trip. Return to civilization via a cozy cabin where hot showers and real beds help you recover. KOA (Kampgrounds of America) locations often have all three options at a single property, making transitions simple.

This mixing approach works especially well for families or groups with different comfort preferences. Everyone gets their ideal experience while still traveling together!

Staying Connected (Or Not)

Your relationship with technology during nature vacations is entirely personal. Some travelers need to stay connected for work or family reasons. Others specifically seek places where phones don’t work.

If connectivity matters to you, many RV parks and cabin resorts now offer Wi-Fi. Thousand Trails campgrounds typically provide reliable internet access. You can share your adventures in real-time while still enjoying natural surroundings.

For digital detox seekers, national forest campgrounds and wilderness areas provide a genuine opportunity for disconnection. The first day might feel strange without constant notifications. By day three, most people report feeling more present and peaceful than they have in years. The choice is yours, and both approaches have value.

Timing Your Nature Adventure

Each season brings different rewards to nature vacations, and depending on what you want to experience, timing is super important! Shenandoah National Park reaches its peak beauty in October, when the leaves change. Death Valley surprises visitors with carpets of wildflowers in March after wet winters. And Glacier National Park‘s famous Going-to-the-Sun Road typically doesn’t fully open until July due to snow.

Research your destination’s patterns to find the sweet spot between good weather and smaller crowds. Shoulder seasons usually provide the best of both worlds.

• Can you visit Death Valley during the summer? We did!

Basic Camping Gear for Comfort and Safety

The right equipment makes nature vacations more enjoyable and safer. A quality sleeping pad matters as much as your sleeping bag for camping comfort. Merino wool socks regulate temperature and resist odor during multi-day adventures.

A headlamp proves invaluable for hands-free lighting during evening activities or nighttime nature calls. Portable water filters allow safe drinking from natural sources, reducing the need to carry heavy water supplies.

In bear country, bear spray provides essential protection. Proper food storage in bear boxes or approved containers keeps both you and wildlife safe.

Your Nature Adventure Awaits!

Your perfect nature vacation is out there. All you need to do is choose your style, pick your destination, and take that first step outside. The fresh air, starry skies, and peaceful moments are worth every bit of planning.

Happy Travels!

Featured image by Patrick Hendry on Unsplash