Best Camping in the Rocky Mountains & Plains Region

When you want to embrace the outdoors, there's no better way than camping in the Northern Rockies during the summer. The warm temperatures and dry climate make camping in the mountains fun. Whether a beginner camper or a seasoned veteran, staying at a campground is an ideal way to ensure you have everything you need to stay comfortable and safe while camping.

Kampgrounds of America has many campgrounds spread throughout the Northern Rockies, from Montana, Nebraska and North Dakota to South Dakota and Wyoming. At KOA, you can go RV, cabin or tent camping. Each location has multiple campsites to accommodate your preferred way to stay, whether your family enjoys traditional camping or glamping. Many campgrounds also have amenities for campers, helping you have an easy, relaxing and unforgettable trip.

Camping in the Northern Rockies also lets you experience beautiful nature sights, from great mountains to dense and colorful forests. Mother Nature's magnificence is calling your name for camping and adventuring in the region.

There are many well-known attractions that the whole family will love while traveling through the Northern Rockies. Check out:

• Museum of the Rockies: Montana's Museum of the Rockies (MOR) is a renowned natural and cultural history museum and research facility. When you visit MOR, you'll see unique exhibits and displays, from dinosaurs and fossils to the art of Alex Ross, a comic book artist known for illustrating Marvel characters like the Avengers, Black Panther and Storm from “X-Men.”
• Lincoln Children's Zoo: Let your children learn through firsthand interactions about animals at the Lincoln Children's Zoo in Nebraska. The zoo has over 400 animals, including over 30 endangered ones. See different mammals, birds and reptiles while walking through.
• Buffalo Bill Center of the West: Kids will love learning about life in the Old West and Native American culture while roaming through the five museums and getting hands-on experience at Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Wyoming.
• Liard River Hot Springs: Soak in the balmy natural waters at Liard River Hot Springs Park, where you might also spot some swamp wildlife, birds and mountainous mammals.

Enjoying the outdoors is a fun way to stay active and get fresh air while in the Northern Rockies. Some of the top outdoor activities visitors and locals regularly do include:

• Hiking various trails: The Northern Rockies has many parks with hiking trails of all lengths and difficulty levels. You and your children will have a blast exploring and seeing the diverse wildlife and plants in the region.
• Playing and relaxing in the water: The region's many lakes and rivers are popular places where locals and visitors like to gather to stay cool while having fun in the sun. Swim, kayak, paddleboard and fish in the waters.
• Camping at campgrounds: Camping is a popular pastime, whether in Montana, Nebraska, Wyoming, North Dakota or South Dakota. You could stay at a KOA for unbeatable relaxation.
• Lake fishing for dinner: Catch your evening meal at a local lake full of Walleye, trout, Northern Pike and more. You can also try your hand at flyfishing, a popular pastime in the Northern Rockies.

The Northern Rockies region has spectacular rock formations, like the Rocky Mountains. You can see the mountains up close at several national parks. Some of the most popular national parks you could add to your family's vacation itinerary include:

• Grand Teton National Park: Experience the beauty of the Grand Teton National Park during your trip to Wyoming. The national park has the youngest mountain ranges on the continent, The Tetons. Hike the trails, bask in the sun or float in the Snake River while spending time with your family.
• Yellowstone National Park: Hike and drive around Yellowstone National Park to see wildlife in their natural habitat and witness unique geologic and hydrothermal structures, like the Old Faithful geyser. Yellowstone's 2.2 million acres are mainly in Wyoming but has several Montana entrances.
• Theodore Roosevelt National Park: Wander around Theodore Roosevelt National Park, a beautiful park named in honor of President Theodore Roosevelt, who valued conservation and used his presidency to protect over 230 million acres of public land throughout the country. The national park is in North Dakota and has multiple places to hike or drive so you can explore and see wildlife, such as bison.

While the Northern Rockies include several national parks, the region also has numerous state parks. Add some state parks to your vacation plan for a great outdoor experience.

• Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park: Pay the oldest state park in North Dakota a visit when you go to Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park. Hike around the park and stop at the Visitor Center Museum to learn about the Mandan Native Americans and what life was like for frontier soldiers at Fort McKeen and Fort Abraham Lincoln.
• Custer State Park: Hike, mountain bike, rock climb, fish and swim in South Dakota at Custer State Park. Your family will love spending all day outside doing various activities. You could also watch a theater performance and visit a log cabin.
• Fort Robinson State Park: Take a trip to Fort Robinson State Park in Nebraska to hike vast mountains, see buffalo and longhorn herds, fish, picnic and learn about Old West history.

Whether you like game meats or homestyle cooking, you'll find numerous restaurants in the Northern Rockies region to serve a delicious meal. You could even try several new cuisines.

Stop by Rhombus Guys Brewing Company at one of their locations in North Dakota for casual dining paired with drafts of their homemade beers. If you want something sweet near Glacier National Park in Montana, consider stopping at Polebridge Mercantile. The store is your one-stop-shop for camping supplies, groceries and baked goods. You could try the huckleberry bear claws or get a freshly made sandwich.

Another great place to visit in the Northern Rockies is Shirley's Diner in Omaha, Nebraska. The mom and pop diner will give you a touch of nostalgia with its rock ‘n’ roll-themed decor and delicious comfort diner food. You could also have a unique dining experience at the Irma Restaurant Grill, a saloon and dining room reminiscent of the Old West. It's on the ground floor of the Irma Hotel, built by Buffalo Bill in 1902 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Your trip to the Northern Rockies will be unforgettable with all the adventures you'll have traveling to and from different parks, restaurants and attractions.