Summer camping and water go together like sunscreen and bare shoulders. There’s simply nothing better than cooling down on the water during the hottest part of the year! We’ve rounded up some of the top ocean, lake, river, and waterpark destinations across the U.S., along with the KOA campgrounds that put you right where you want to be.
So, grab your swimsuits, slather on the SPF, and let’s dive in!
The Finger Lakes, New York
Head to the Finger Lakes region for 11 glacial lakes stretched across rolling terrain that’s covered in vineyards, waterfalls, and small towns. Seneca and Cayuga lakes are the largest, perfect for kayaking, sailing, swimming, and fishing.
Don’t miss Watkins Glen State Park, with its dramatic gorge trail and 19 waterfalls. The region is also famous for its wineries, with over 100 dotting the lakeshores. It’s one of those rare places where you can paddle in the morning, visit a winery in the afternoon, and enjoy a campfire at night!
Nearest KOAs:
Waterloo / Finger Lakes KOA Holiday
Canandaigua / Rochester KOA Holiday
Watkins Glen / Corning KOA Resort
Sodus Point / Lake Ontario KOA Journey
Sterling / Lake Ontario KOA Holiday
Traverse City, Michigan
Lake Michigan may take you by surprise. The water is clear and blue in a way that feels Mediterranean, and Traverse City, with its stunning shoreline and scenic views, is the area’s shining star. Swim, kayak, sail, paddleboard, or just enjoy the beaches!
The region is famous for its cherries, wine, and outdoor recreation. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a must-see, with massive sand dunes rising 400 feet above the lake.
Nearest KOAs:
Traverse City KOA Holiday
Cadillac KOA Holiday
Bear Lake / Manatee KOA Holiday
Waterpark Fun: Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Sometimes you just want a lazy river, a waterslide, and a funnel cake! If that sounds like your dream getaway, Wisconsin Dells is the place to go. With its jaw-dropping concentration of indoor and outdoor waterparks, The Dells are known as “the waterpark capital of the world!”
If you’re looking for more natural beauty, the Wisconsin River offers plenty, with boundless scenic views and fun activities like boat tours. Between waterparks and other kid-friendly attractions, The Dells are a great destination for families.
Nearest KOAs:
Wisconsin Dells KOA Holiday
Oakdale KOA Journey
Georgian Bay, Ontario
Tucked into the eastern arm of Lake Huron, Georgian Bay is the world’s largest freshwater archipelago, scattered with roughly 30,000 islands of windswept pine and smooth granite. The town of Parry Sound, less than two hours north of Toronto, makes a perfect home base for exploring it all.
Georgian Bay is a paradise for paddlers! You can kayak between islands, swim off warm granite ledges, fish, and watch the sunset over the water from your campsite. Take a boat cruise aboard the Island Queen, or hop a ferry to Georgian Bay Islands National Park!
Nearest KOAs:
Parry Sound KOA Holiday
Barrie KOA Holiday
Owen Sound KOA Journey
The Outer Banks: Cape Hatteras, North Carolina
The Outer Banks chain of barrier islands is one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the country, and Cape Hatteras sits at the heart of it. This narrow ribbon of sand juts farther into the Atlantic than any other point on the Eastern Seaboard.
The iconic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, with its black-and-white spiral stripes, is the tallest brick lighthouse in North America at 208 feet tall. Cape Hatteras National Seashore, the first national seashore in the country, stretches over 70 miles of protected beach where you can walk for long stretches without seeing many people. Wild horses roam the northern reaches.
The area is a magnet for surf fishing and some of the best break-casting on the East Coast. Consistent winds make Hatteras a world-class destination for kiteboarding and windsurfing. The Wright Brothers‘ first powered flight happened just up the road in Kitty Hawk, adding even more history to an already storied coastline.
Nearest KOAs:
Cape Hatteras / Outer Banks KOA Resort
Prince Edward Island, Canada
You’ll fall in love with Prince Edward Island the moment you cross the Confederation Bridge. This crescent-shaped island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence is ringed by red sandstone cliffs, rolling green farmland, and some of the warmest ocean water north of the Carolinas. You’re never far from a beach here, and the gentle surf makes it a favorite for families.
Swim at the calm south-shore beaches, dig for clams at low tide, kayak the bays, or hunt for crabs in the warm tidal flats. Prince Edward Island National Park protects miles of dunes and red-sand shoreline along the north coast, and charming Charlottetown, with its seafaring history and fresh lobster suppers, is just a short drive away.
Nearest KOA:
Borden / Summerside KOA Journey
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Don’t underestimate the fabulousness of Gulf Coast! With amazing blue-green water and friendly folks, the Gulf Coast is an underrated getaway. Gulf Shores is one of the Southeast’s most beloved beach destinations, with sugar-white sandy beaches and the warm, calm Gulf waters.
Hike and bike through coastal dune ecosystems, go crabbing, fishing, and paddling, or watch dolphins. The Gulf Coast is a low-key and lovely stretch of shore that’s easy for families to enjoy without breaking the bank.
Nearest KOA:
Gulf Shores / Pensacola West KOA Holiday
Newport and the Pigeon River, Tennessee
Camping in the Great Smoky Mountains can be magical, with its earthy mountain and forest smells and the sound of moving water always nearby.
The heart-pumping rapids of the Pigeon River are perfect for whitewater rafting. Families will enjoy the stunning scenery and excellent fishing on the French Broad and Nolichucky rivers. Add in the backcountry trails of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and you’ve got a region that’s full of things to do!
Nearest KOAs:
Newport / I-40 / Smoky Mountains KOA Journey
Gatlinburg East / Smoky Mountain KOA Holiday
Pigeon Forge / Gatlinburg KOA Holiday
Townsend / Great Smokies KOA Holiday
Cherokee / Great Smokies KOA Holiday
Kentucky Lake, Kentucky
If fishing is your thing, Kentucky Lake is the place to be! This massive man-made lake stretches along the Tennessee River, with over 2,300 miles of shoreline. Fisherman love this lake for its abundance of largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and catfish.
You’ll find plenty of opportunities to hike, watch wildlife, and take scenic drives through rolling woodland. Thanks to its sheer size and relatively uncrowded waters, Kentucky Lake is also a great destination for boaters.
Nearest KOAs:
Paducah / I-24 / Kentucky Lake KOA Journey
Kentucky Lakes / Prizer Point KOA
Paris Lake / Kentucky Landing KOA Holiday (TN)
Buffalo / I-40 / Exit 143 KOA Journey (TN)
The Cabot Trail, Nova Scotia
Cape Breton Island sits at the northern tip of Nova Scotia, where the land meets the Atlantic in headlands, coves, and fishing villages. The 185-mile Cabot Trail loops around the island’s edge and is regularly named one of the world’s most scenic drives. Watch for whales from the cliffside lookouts as you go!
Swim at a hidden beach, kayak the sheltered waters of the Bras d’Or inland sea, hike the highlands, or feast on fresh-caught seafood in a harbor town. Don’t miss the trails and dramatic sea views inside Cape Breton Highlands National Park.
Nearest KOAs:
North Sydney / Cabot Trail KOA
Guadalupe River, Texas
You’re missing out if you’ve never floated the Guadalupe River on a summer afternoon. It’s clear, spring-fed, and just cold enough to beat the heat! New Braunfels is the place to go for tubing, but the river stretches all the way to Kerrville, offering lazy floats, light rapids, and great trout fishing. Guadalupe River State Park has four miles of riverfront for swimming, kayaking, and canoeing, with classic Texas scenery including limestone bluffs and cypress trees. If the Texas heat has you wilting, this is the place to be.
While in the Hill Country, you’ll also want to check out the wineries in nearby Fredericksburg. San Antonio’s River Walk, the Alamo, and Six Flags are only an hour south!
Nearest KOAs:
San Antonio / Alamo KOA Holiday
Round Mountain / Johnson City KOA Journey
Fredericksburg KOA Resort
Colorado River, Utah
The Colorado River in Moab is a sight to behold when the canyon walls glow orange and red in the afternoon light. The river’s fast and cold, perfect for gentle floats or intense whitewater kayaking. Cataract Canyon in Canyonlands National Park is one of the most challenging whitewater runs in the West.
Moab’s got more than just the river, though! Arches National Park is just five miles north, and Dead Horse Point State Park has views that’ll leave you speechless. Slickrock Trail is legendary for mountain biking, and you can fish for smallmouth bass, swim in calm stretches, or rent a paddleboard. At night, the stars are simply incredible.
Nearest KOAs:
Manti-La Sal KOA Holiday
Green River KOA Journey
Flathead Lake, Montana
Flathead Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River! It’s nestled in the Mission Valley of northwestern Montana, with the Mission Mountains as a backdrop. The lake is 28 miles long and 15 miles wide, with 128 miles of shoreline, and its water is super clean, cold, and perfect for swimming.
The lake is famous for its fishing, with plenty of lake trout, bull trout, and westslope cutthroat. You can take a boat tour, rent a kayak, or go whitewater rafting on the nearby Flathead River. And if that’s not enough, Glacier National Park is just an hour away. The Going-to-the-Sun Road is a bucket list must-see.
Nearest KOAs:
Polson / Flathead Lake KOA Holiday
Whitefish / Kalispell North KOA Holiday
West Glacier KOA Resort
Lake Tahoe, California
When you first drive up to Lake Tahoe and take a glance at the water, you can’t help but wonder how it got so blue! Tahoe is North America’s largest alpine lake at 22 miles long and 12 miles wide, with depths up to 1,600 feet. The water’s incredibly clear, too, with visibility of up to 70 feet on a calm day.
Swim at Sandy Beach or D.L. Bliss State Park, kayak or paddleboard along the shoreline, go sailing, jet skiing, or fishing for trout in the deep water. Emerald Bay State Park is a super popular spot, with a tiny island and dramatic setting that make it one of the most photographed places in California. There are hiking and mountain biking trails all around the lake, and if you’re feeling lucky, Nevada’s casinos are just a short drive from the South Shore. Summer weekends get busy, so plan ahead!
Nearest KOAs:
Lake Tahoe KOA Journey
Reno KOA Journey at Boomtown
Coleville / Walker KOA Holiday
Oregon Dunes, Oregon
Oregon’s coastline is no joke – dramatic and beautiful! The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is 40 miles of surreal landscape, with dunes reaching 500 feet high. You’ll find freshwater lakes, coastal forests, and miles of undeveloped beach in the Beaver State.
The area around North Bend and Coos Bay offers swimming beaches, ocean access, and clamming; you can surf, or just walk the dunes at sunset. It’s an experience you’ll be talking about for years!
Nearest KOAs:
Oregon Dunes KOA Holiday
Waldport / Newport KOA Journey
Sutherlin / Umpqua Valley KOA Holiday
Lake Superior, Ontario
No lake on Earth matches Lake Superior for sheer grandeur. The largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area, it stretches like an inland ocean, with cold, crystal-clear water and a rugged, wave-battered north shore. The area around Thunder Bay is the gateway to it all, sitting right in the heart of canoe country.
Paddle the shoreline, hunt for amethyst at open-pit mines, or marvel at 130-foot Kakabeka Falls. West of the city, Quetico Provincial Park protects more than a million acres of wilderness lakes, reachable only by canoe. It’s a coastline you’ll be talking about for years!
Nearest KOAs:
Thunder Bay KOA Holiday
Sault Ste. Marie KOA Holiday
Crater Lake, Oregon
Crater Lake is an almost surreal, electric-blue color that’s hard to capture in a photo. At 1,943 feet deep, it’s also the deepest lake anywhere in the U.S.! The water’s pure and clear, with visibility up to 100 feet below the surface.
Crater Lake National Park has 33 miles of drivable shoreline with jaw-dropping views. You can hike down to the water at Cleetwood Cove and swim in the pristine lake. Boat tours circle the lake and stop at Wizard Island, a cinder cone in the middle. This place will change the way you think about nature.
Nearest KOAs:
Lemolo Lake / Crater Lake North KOA Holiday
Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
Lake of the Ozarks is a huge man-made lake with a whopping 1,150 miles of shoreline, more than any other lake in the lower 48. In summer, it’s one of the busiest boating spots in the country – you’ll see powerboats, pontoons, jet skis, and wakeboard boats galore!
Restaurants, beach bars, marinas, and waterfront attractions surround the lake, and the Ozarks Amphitheater hosts big-name concert acts all summer long. When you need a break from the party scene, the hills around the lake offer lots of caves, trails, and small towns to explore.
Nearby KOAs:
Lake of the Ozarks / Linn Creek KOA Holiday
Lebanon / Bennett Spring KOA Holiday
Before You Dive In
Campgrounds fill up fast in summer, so book early. The good news is that KOA’s Rewards Program lets you earn points for future stays.
Remember to bring the right gear – life jackets, water shoes, and reef-safe sunscreen – and don’t forget an extra towel. The water’s waiting!
Leslie is a freelance travel and health/wellness writer who gets butterflies from telling stories and sharing information with readers across the globe. Her voice comes from a place filled with passion and dreams.
With over 10 years of experience in crafting words and years of embarking on travels that have taken this Montana girl to some incredible places, Leslie loves the adventures of both body and mind that her writing takes her on.
To see what Leslie’s up to in the writing and design world, visit her website here.
