Home to the fourth largest wine region on Earth, the U.S. boasts some of the finest wineries and unique wine country experiences — perfect for an outdoor excursion. What are the best camping destinations for wine lovers?
While California takes the spotlight as the epicenter of wine production in the nation, there is an abundance of thriving, fruitful wine regions to discover across the U.S. and in Canada. Camping allows you to blend the tranquility of nature with the pleasures of wine tasting. If you are looking to explore vineyards outside of California, there are plenty of locales that are no less impressive and immersive — exhibiting a knack for terroir and a penchant for pairings.
Let’s explore some North American wine regions beyond the lush valleys of California, where you can enjoy a peaceful camping experience while indulging in good wine and good food.
What Are the Best Wine Regions for Camping?
Snake River Valley, Idaho
The first American Viticultural Area (AVA) in Idaho is among the most exciting up-and-coming wine regions in the U.S. Located around Boise, anchored in south-central Idaho, the Snake River Valley AVA extends from eastern Oregon, encompassing about 8,000 square miles.
This region is marked by high elevations, ranging from 2,500 to 3,000 feet above sea level, with a temperate climate that endears itself well to a bountiful wine scene. Snake River Valley specializes in varietals like Riesling, Syrah and Viognier — and it’s only growing.
The state now boasts more than 50 wineries — best experienced along the Sunnyslope Wine Trail in and around Nampa, or Garden City in Boise’s near suburbs. Ornate wineries and wine bars like Cinder Wines and Telaya Wine Co. will make visitors feel like they are in Napa.
Walla Walla Valley, Washington
Among the most famed wine regions in the country, beyond the California borders, the southeastern corner of Washington contains a vast winemaking swath called the Columbia Valley AVA. Within that, the Walla Walla Valley — which also extends into northeastern Oregon — reigns supreme for its abundant sunshine, high elevation, moderate climate, waterways and fertile growing conditions.
Soil here is rich and ripe, paving the way for countless farm stands, farm-fresh restaurants and seasonal activities. Its relatively remote location, about a four-hour drive from Seattle, keeps it quaint and quiet, albeit well worth the extra mileage.
Experience wineries and tasting rooms like Grosgrain Vineyards and Abeja. Meanwhile, Walla Walla proper contains tasting rooms and wine bars aplenty, like The Thief, Spring Valley Vineyard and Echolands Winery.
Willamette Valley, Oregon
Conveniently close to Portland, only about an hour drive south of the city, Oregon’s Willamette Valley is the largest — and most famed — wine region in the state. Renowned for its Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay and Riesling, this is also prime turf for Pinot Noir.
Encompassing more than 100 miles in length and 60 miles in width, the Willamette Valley is far and away the largest wine region in Oregon, home to more than two-thirds of the state’s wineries and vineyards. For those counting, that tally currently sits at about 800 wineries. Among the wineries to visit, top picks include The Eyrie Vineyards in McMinnville, Brigadoon Wine Co. in Junction City, David Hill Winery in Forest Grove and the gorgeous Domaine Willamette in the Dundee Hills.
Mesilla Valley New Mexico
The New Mexican desert may not immediately conjure images of fruitful winemaking, but the state has emerged as one of the most underrated wine regions in the nation. Along with the sparkling wine production anchored in Albuquerque, the southern reaches of the state — around the city of Las Cruces — contain the Mesilla Valley.
Wine production has been a tradition since the 1600s, when Spaniards began planting grapes, like Syrah and Zinfandel. These are still among the most popular varietals in the region. The Mesilla Valley is now home to some 50 wineries, like the Rio Grande Winery, Hearts of the Desert Winery, Noisy Water Winery and Luna Rossa Winery & Pizzeria, where guests can pair prized Pinot Grigio with a slice of Margherita.
5. Traverse City in Michigan
Perched along the northern shores of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, the rural community of Traverse City is teeming with surprises. Namely, the fact that this small city — in the famously frigid nether reaches of the Midwest — has risen the ranks of world-famed wine regions to become one of the best in the country.
Quaint, charming and rich with Americana, the Traverse City wineries churn out everything from dessert-worthy ice wine to crisp whites and old-world reds. The region extends out into Lake Michigan via two extensive peninsulas, both of which contain more than 50 wineries in total.
Driving north, it is entirely possible to embark on a lakeside wine crawl, with stops at pristine properties like Mari Vineyards, Hawthorne Vineyards and Tabone Vineyards. Back in Traverse City proper, you’ll find wine bars like Left Foot Charley and The Tasting Room Restaurant, while Low Bar is a speakeasy that pairs local wines with esoteric spirits and classic cocktails.
Lake Erie Wine Country, New York and Pennsylvania
On the other end of the Great Lakes, another wine region hugs the shores of Lake Erie. Expanding from Buffalo, New York, to Erie, Pennsylvania, Lake Erie Wine Country is a majestic, four-season expanse on the rise.
Now home to more than 20 wineries, specializing in varietals like Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc, viticulture is a long-standing tradition around these parts — dating back more than 150 years. There is now a designated Lake Erie Wine Trail, which conveniently lists the area’s notable stops, including Johnson Estate Winery (the oldest in the region), 21 Brix Winery, 6 Mile Cellars, Heritage Wine Cellars and Noble Winery.
Okanagan, British Columbia
Winemaking in the Pacific Northwest does not stop at the Canadian border. British Columbia is home to six viticultural areas, where the climate and terrain produce a bountiful crop of Cabernets, Rieslings, Pinots and Merlots. Among the province’s wine regions, Okanagan is one of the top wine-producing areas in the whole country, with upward of 185 wineries and 8,830 acres of vineyards — second only to the Niagara Peninsula.
Spanning the small town of Salmon to the north, and culminating at the U.S. border on the south, the area is lined with rivers and lakes. Its diverse terroir results in a dynamic destination for wine enthusiasts. Among the gems are Mission Hill Family Estate, Nk’Mip Cellars, CedarCreek Family Estate and Tantalus, overlooking the shimmering shore of Lake Okanagan.
Where Can I Go Camping Near Wineries?
Whether you wish to explore the Lake Erie Wine Trail, experience the rich winemaking history of the Mesilla Valley or embark on an epic cross-country wine tour, make your wine country camping even more memorable with Kampgrounds of America.
Imagine enjoying a traditional morning hike or s’mores around the fire. Now, add some wine-tasting to the agenda for a camping excursion like none other. Camping in the nation’s more notable wine regions is the perfect blend of rustic charm and refined pleasure.
From classic tent camping to RV Sites with full hookups, KOA offers vineyard camping experiences as diverse as the wine varieties you savor. Explore KOA Campgrounds near some of North America’s most notable wine regions.
Snake River Valley
Walla Walla Valley
Willamette Valley
Mesilla Valley
Traverse City
Lake Erie Wine Country
Okanagan
Born and raised in New Hampshire, Matt Kirouac grew up with a love for camping and the outdoors. Though he’s lived in Chicago since 2006, he’s always on the lookout for new adventures. He writes about travel and food for outlets like TripExpert, Money Inc, Upventur, DiningOut, Food Fanatics magazine, Plate Magazine and Zagat, and he currently serves as Chicago editor for What Should We Do?! He’s the author of The Hunt Guides: Chicago (2016) and Unique Eats & Eateries of Chicago (2017).
