Memorial Day Weekend: America’s Ultimate Camping Kickoff

Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of camping season in the U.S. as campgrounds around the country awaken from winter. This three-day weekend is a cherished time for outdoor families, coinciding with blooming wildflowers, moderate temperatures, and fewer crowds.

Many parks open their summer facilities and launch programs during this patriotic holiday, offering a blend of nature, family activities, and remembrance ceremonies.

As the school year starts drawing to its conclusion, it’s a perfect opportunity to enjoy quality time together under the stars. A camping trip offers a refreshing break from screens, with activities like campfires, stargazing, and hiking new trails. Whether you prefer beachside, forest, or lakeside spots, this weekend provides a chance to relax, recharge, and create lasting memories in the great outdoors!

18 Best Places to Camp on Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day in 2025 will cover the weekend Friday 23 to Monday 26 May, so an important date to mark in your calendar is around 23 November 2024 when many campsite slots open up 6 months in advance

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2. Yosemite National Park, California

Memorial Day weekend in Yosemite offers a spectacular sweet spot in the park’s calendar. The waterfalls reach their thundering peak from spring snowmelt, dogwood trees burst with delicate white blooms, and the famous meadows showcase an explosion of wildflowers.

Most importantly, the high country roads have typically just opened, but the intense summer crowds haven’t yet arrived. The weather usually provides perfect hiking conditions, with warm days and cool nights ideal for camping.

Beyond Tuolumne Meadows, family-friendly options include Upper Pines Campground (240 sites), which is near Happy Isles Nature Center, and North Pines Campground (81 sites), which is situated along the Merced River. Both offer flush toilets, drinking water, and food storage lockers.

Lower Pines features a prime location for viewing Half Dome. Camp 4, though first-come-first-served, offers a front-row seat to watching climbers on El Capitan. Kids can participate in the Memorial Day weekend “Art in Nature” workshops, join guided family-friendly hikes, and attend evening ranger programs at the outdoor amphitheater.

The park’s Memorial Day services include living history demonstrations and traditional bugle ceremonies.

Booking your campsite: Reservations open exactly five months in advance on the 15th of each month at 7 am PST. For Memorial Day camping, mark your calendar for January 15th. Sites typically sell out within minutes.

5. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee/North Carolina

Memorial Day weekend traditionally coincides with two magical events in the Smokies: the synchronous firefly display and the peak of spring wildflower season.

The park’s famous black bears are active with new cubs, and daytime temperatures reach the perfect range for hiking and outdoor activities. The timing also marks the start of the park’s traditional music programs and cultural demonstrations at the Mountain Farm Museum.

Elkmont Campground, the park’s largest, offers over 200 sites with easy access to the firefly viewing areas. Cades Cove Campground provides 159 sites in one of the park’s most wildlife-rich valleys.

In comparison, Deep Creek Campground offers 92 sites perfect for families interested in tubing and fishing. Each campground features recently upgraded restrooms and amphitheaters for ranger programs.

The Memorial Day weekend includes special events like historic cabin tours, traditional craft demonstrations, and guided salamander walks for kids. Nearby cities Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge host elaborate Memorial Day celebrations, including mountain music festivals and veterans’ remembrance ceremonies.

Booking your campsite: Campground reservations open six months in advance, but the coveted firefly viewing lottery typically opens in late April. Sign up for park alerts to get notified when the lottery opens.

6. Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts

Memorial Day marks Cape Cod’s awakening, as the signature New England summer destination shakes off its spring slumber. Water temperatures have risen just enough for brave swimmers, while the spring bird migration reaches its colorful peak.

The famous Cape Cod whales have returned to their feeding grounds, and the beaches are still peaceful before the summer crowds descend. Most importantly, the notorious Cape Cod mosquitoes haven’t yet reached their summer intensity.

North of Highland Camping Area in Truro offers 237 spacious sites in a pine forest, just a short walk to Head of the Meadow Beach. Nickerson State Park provides over 400 sites around eight areas surrounding freshwater ponds, perfect for fishing and kayaking. Coastal Acres Camping Court in Provincetown offers family-friendly sites with easy access to whale watching tours.

Adventure-seeking families will love the newly opened Cape Cod Rail Trail for cycling and the Salt Pond Visitor Center’s interactive marine life exhibits. Memorial Day weekend features special programs including lighthouse tours, beach ecosystem walks, and junior ranger tide pooling adventures. Local towns host distinctive Memorial Day parades, with Provincetown’s featuring a unique mix of traditional ceremony and artistic flair.

Booking your campsite: State park campgrounds open for booking on January 2nd for the entire season. Private campgrounds typically begin taking reservations in early December. Sites with electricity are particularly in demand for this early-season weekend.

7. Mount Rushmore/Black Hills, South Dakota

By Memorial Day, the Black Hills have fully awakened from winter, with comfortable daytime temperatures and fields of prairie wildflowers in full bloom. The timing is perfect to spot young wildlife, including bison calves, bighorn lambs, and prairie dog pups.

The tourist crowds are still light, making it ideal for family visits to popular attractions like Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial.

Custer State Park offers four main family-friendly campgrounds: Sylvan Lake (39 sites) sits at the highest elevation with stunning views, Blue Bell (31 sites & 23 cabins) provides premium access to wildlife viewing, Center Lake (71 sites) features a swimming beach, and Game Lodge (59 sites & 11 cabins) offers convenient location near park headquarters. Each campground has been recently upgraded with modern restrooms and shower facilities.

The Memorial Day weekend features special evening lighting ceremonies at Mount Rushmore, Native American cultural presentations, and wildlife programs. Kids enjoy the buffalo safari jeep tours, rock climbing programs, and junior naturalist activities. The nearby town of Keystone hosts a Memorial Day festival with traditional Western entertainment and craft demonstrations.

Booking your campsite: Custer State Park campground reservations open one year in advance via gooutdoorssouthdakota.com. Book Memorial Day weekend the previous May, especially for the popular Sylvan Lake sites.

8. Peninsula State Park, Wisconsin

Memorial Day weekend in Door County captures the essence of spring in Wisconsin. The peninsula’s famous cherry trees are typically in full bloom, migrating warblers fill the trees with song, and the waters of Green Bay have warmed enough for afternoon swimming. The timing marks the start of the park’s extensive naturalist program and the opening of many seasonal facilities.

The park features four family-friendly campgrounds totaling 469 sites: Tennison Bay (188 sites) offers the best bay views, Weborg Point (12 sites) provides intimate waterfront camping, Group Camp caters to family reunions, while South Nicolet and North Nicolet offer more secluded options. The newly renovated Nature Center opens for the season this weekend, featuring interactive exhibits and live animal displays.

Families love the 9.6-mile Sunset Bike Trail, the outdoor theater programs at Northern Sky Theater, and the Eagle Bluff Lighthouse tours. Memorial Day activities include guided kayak trips, fishing clinics for kids, and special programs about the peninsula’s maritime history. The nearby village of Fish Creek hosts a traditional Memorial Day parade and cherry pie festival.

Booking your campsite: Reservations open 11 months in advance through Wisconsin DNR. Book in late June for the following Memorial Day. Waterfront sites typically fill within hours of release.

9. Grand Canyon North Rim, Arizona

Memorial Day weekend arrives shortly after the North Rim’s seasonal opening, offering visitors a rare opportunity to experience the Grand Canyon’s more remote face during its springtime awakening.

At 8,000 feet elevation, the temperature is perfect for hiking, with wildflowers carpeting the mixed conifer forests and aspen groves. The timing allows visitors to see the canyon before summer haze affects visibility, with crisp, clear views extending over 100 miles.

North Rim Campground provides 90 sites among tall pines, with recently upgraded facilities including coin-operated showers and a laundry facility. Kaibab Lodge, located just outside the park, offers rustic cabins and tent sites for those seeking more amenities. DeMotte Campground in Kaibab National Forest provides an excellent backup option with 38 sites, half are kept first-come-first-served.

The Grand Canyon Lodge hosts special Memorial Day weekend programs, including guided nature walks, astronomy sessions, and mule trip orientations. Kids enjoy the Junior Ranger station, wildlife tracking workshops, and the new “Canyon Explorers” program. Park rangers offer specialized “Rim Talks” about the area’s geology and Native American history.

Booking your campsite: Reservations open six months in advance through Recreation.gov. Set your alarm for late November – North Rim sites are particularly coveted for Memorial Day as it’s one of the first opportunities to camp after the winter closure (est 2025 open date 15 May).

10. Olympic National Park, Washington

By Memorial Day, all Olympic National Park’s diverse ecosystems are accessible, showcasing their spring splendor. The coastal fog typically lifts by mid-morning, revealing tide pools teeming with spring activity. The rainforests drip with fresh green growth, and high-country snow has melted enough to access most trails. Whale watching reaches its peak as gray whales migrate along the Pacific coast.

Kalaloch Campground offers 160 sites with dramatic Pacific Ocean views, including several newly renovated loop areas perfect for families. Mora Campground provides 94 sites closer to Rialto Beach and its famous sea stacks, while Sol Duc Campground features 82 sites & 17 RV Campsites near the hot springs and waterfall trails.

Each campground offers ranger-led programs, and the Memorial Day weekend features special events, including tide pool walks, junior ranger programs, and Native American cultural demonstrations. The nearby Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center debuts its summer programming this weekend, with hands-on activities for kids and guided nature walks.

Local coastal communities host unique Memorial Day celebrations combining maritime heritage with military remembrance.

Booking your campsite: Coastal campground reservations open six months in advance,with reservations required from Memorial Day weekend to late September. Book in late November for Memorial Day weekend, particularly for ocean-view sites at Kalaloch.

11. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Memorial Day weekend hits a sweet spot in Shenandoah’s calendar – the spring wildflower display is still vibrant while the mountain laurel begins its spectacular bloom.

Black bears are active with cubs, white-tailed deer fawns make their first appearances, and the weather is ideal for hiking before summer humidity sets in. The famous Skyline Drive offers perfect driving conditions with clear mountain views.

Mathews Arm (166 sites) and Big Meadows (217 sites) are the park’s largest family-friendly campgrounds, both featuring recently renovated facilities and theaters for ranger programs. Lewis Mountain offers a more intimate experience with 30 sites, while Loft Mountain provides 207 sites with spectacular valley views.

The Byrd Visitor Center debuts its summer programming this weekend, including special Civil War history walks and wilderness survival workshops. Family activities include the “TRACK Trails” program for kids, fishing demonstrations at Big Meadows, and guided waterfall hikes.

The park hosts moving Memorial Day ceremonies at several historic Civil War sites along Skyline Drive.

Booking your campsite: Reservations open six months in advance through Recreation.gov. Begin checking in late November, with Big Meadows sites typically filling first due to its central location.

12. Lake George, New York

Memorial Day marks Lake George’s transformation from a quiet spring retreat to “Queen of American Lakes.” Water temperatures have warmed enough for comfortable swimming, the surrounding Adirondack forests are lush with new growth, and seasonal attractions begin their summer operations. The timing perfectly captures the lake’s serene beauty before the peak summer season begins.

Rogers Rock Campground offers 332 sites, including premium waterfront locations and a supervised swimming beach. Lake George Battleground Campground provides 68 sites steeped in Revolutionary War history, walking distance to Lake George Village.

For families seeking more amenities, Lake George RV Park features 400 sites with pools, playgrounds, and a bike park. Hearthstone Point Campground offers 251 sites with waterfront and wooded options.

Memorial Day weekend features special events, including lake ecology programs, fishing derbies, and historical reenactments at Fort William Henry. Kids love the newly opened Lake George Expedition Park, steamboat cruises, and junior naturalist programs. The Lake George area hosts one of the largest Memorial Day parades in the region, followed by a moving lakeside ceremony and evening fireworks display.

Booking your campsite: New York State campground reservations open nine months in advance with reserveamerica.com. Book in late August for Memorial Day weekend, particularly for waterfront sites. Private campgrounds often start taking reservations in January.

13. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Memorial Day weekend offers a unique opportunity to experience the park during its dramatic spring awakening. Snow is melting from the meadows while peaks remain dramatically capped, creating perfect conditions for wildlife viewing.

This is prime elk calving season when newborn calves take their first steps in the valleys. Wildflowers begin their colorful ascent up the mountainsides, starting with lower-elevation blooms like pasqueflowers and spring beauties.

Moraine Park Campground (244 sites) provides the park’s premier family camping experience, situated in a wide valley with excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. Glacier Basin Campground (150 sites) offers stunning mountain views and easy access to Bear Lake Road activities. Aspenglen Campground (52 sites) provides a more intimate setting near Fall River. All campgrounds feature newly renovated facilities and evening ranger programs.

Memorial Day weekend activities include special wildlife-watching tours, photography workshops, and Native American cultural demonstrations. The park’s extensive junior ranger program kicks off its summer season this weekend. Nearby Estes Park hosts a Memorial Day festival featuring mountain crafts, live music, and a ceremony honoring mountain rescue veterans.

Booking your campsite: Reservations open six months in advance through Recreation.gov. Book in November for Memorial Day weekend. Moraine Park sites with electrical hookups are particularly competitive.

14. Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland/Virginia

Memorial Day weekend hits the sweet spot on Assateague – warm enough for comfortable beach activities but before the intense summer heat and insects arrive. The famous wild ponies are active with new foals, and spring bird migration reaches its peak. Ocean temperatures have begun to moderate, making for pleasant beachcombing and shell collecting.

Oceanside Campground offers 16 drive-in and 62 walk-in sites directly behind the dunes, perfect for families who love beach access. Bayside Campground provides 22 sites ideal for kayakers and bird watchers. Both campgrounds feature cold showers and chemical toilets, maintaining the island’s natural character. Have a backup plan as spring storms occasionally affect camping.

The Maryland district’s renovated visitor center debuts weekend summer programs, including touch tank demonstrations and pony-watching guided tours. Special Memorial Day activities include beach ecology walks, clamming demonstrations, and evening ghost crab safaris. Kids can enjoy the “Pony Patrol” junior ranger program and marsh exploration activities.

Booking your campsite: Reservations open six months in advance via recreation.gov. Book by November for Memorial Day weekend, especially for oceanside sites.

15. Ozark National Forest, Arkansas

By Memorial Day, the Ozark mountains showcase their full spring splendor. Spring rains bring peak flows to waterfalls, dogwood and redbud trees burst with blooms, and forest floors are carpeted with wildflowers. Temperatures are perfect for hiking and water activities before summer’s humidity sets in.

Lake Wedington Recreation Area offers 18 sites with excellent access to the lake’s swimming beach and boat ramp. Mount Magazine State Park provides 18 sites with stunning views from Arkansas’s highest point. The recently renovated Shores Lake Campground features 29 sites perfect for families, with easy access to the Shadow Rock Trail system.

Memorial Day weekend activities include guided waterfall hikes, Dutch oven cooking demonstrations, and special programs about Civil War history in the Ozarks. The park’s nature center offers hands-on activities for kids, including stream ecology studies and wildlife tracking workshops. Local communities host traditional Memorial Day ceremonies featuring mountain music and craft demonstrations.

Booking your campsite: Forest Service campgrounds open reservations six months ahead through Recreation.gov. State park sites can be booked up to one year in advance through Arkansas State Parks.

16. Glacier National Park, Montana

Memorial Day weekend marks one of the first opportunities to experience Glacier as it emerges from winter’s grip. While the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road may still be partially snow-covered, the lower elevations burst with spring activity.

Grizzly bears and cubs become active in the valleys, mountain goat kids make their first appearances, and wildflowers begin their stunning display. Waterfalls are at their most spectacular from spring snowmelt.

Apgar Campground, the park’s largest with 194 sites, opens for the season, offering stunning views of Lake McDonald and convenient access to the West Glacier village amenities. Fish Creek Campground provides 178 sites in a more secluded setting with newly renovated facilities. Sprague Creek Campground, with 25 sites, offers an intimate lakeside experience perfect for families with small children.

The Apgar Visitor Center debuts its summer programming this weekend, featuring special presentations about glacier formation and wildlife safety.

Memorial Day activities include guided hikes to Avalanche Lake, family-friendly boat tours on Lake McDonald, and evening ranger programs about the park’s Native American heritage. Kids particularly enjoy the “Junior Glacier Explorer” program and the interactive wildlife tracking workshops.

Booking your campsite: For Memorial Day camping, Apgar Campground operates first-come, first-served in early season, so arrive by Thursday. Fish Creek reservations open through Recreation.gov six months in advance – book in November.

17. Letchworth State Park, New York

Known as the “Grand Canyon of the East,” Letchworth reaches peak grandeur on Memorial Day weekend. Spring rains power up the three major waterfalls, creating spectacular photo opportunities. The ancient forest bursts with spring ephemeral wildflowers, and migrating warblers fill the gorge with song. The timing is perfect for hiking and rafting before summer crowds arrive.

The park offers 270 campsites spread across eight areas, with the 82-site Loop A particularly popular for families due to its proximity to the pool and playground. The newly developed Autism Nature Trail provides an inclusive outdoor experience with eight sensory-rich stations. The historic Glen Iris Inn opens its seasonal dining room this weekend, offering spectacular falls views.

Memorial Day activities include guided geology walks, birds of prey demonstrations, and special programs about the area’s Seneca Nation heritage. The park’s newly renovated nature center features interactive exhibits about the gorge’s formation. Kids love the junior naturalist program and the seasonal hot air balloon rides that begin this weekend.

Booking your campsite: Reservations open nine months in advance through Reserve America. Book in late August for Memorial Day weekend. Sites with electricity book especially quickly.

18. Big Bend National Park, Texas

Memorial Day weekend represents one of the last opportunities to comfortably camp in Big Bend before summer’s intense heat arrives. The desert is still colorful with late-blooming cacti, while the Chisos Mountains offer comfortable temperatures and clear skies. This timing also coincides with peak bird migration through the Rio Grande corridor.

The Chisos Basin Campground, at 5,400 feet elevation, offers 60 sites with spectacular mountain views and access to the best high-country trails (no large RVs). Rio Grande Village Campground provides 100 sites near the river, featuring a newly renovated visitor center and swimming pool. The Cottonwood Campground in the South Unit offers 24 peaceful sites in a shaded grove perfect for bird watching.

Memorial Day weekend features special ranger programs, including guided desert ecology walks, border culture presentations, and night sky viewing sessions (the park is an International Dark Sky site). Kids particularly enjoy the “Desert Explorer” junior ranger program and the hands-on activities at the Fossil Discovery Exhibit.

The nearby town of Marathon hosts a unique Memorial Day celebration blending West Texas and Mexican cultural traditions.

Booking your campsite: Chisos Basin reservations open six months in advance through Recreation.gov. Book in November for Memorial Day weekend. Rio Grande Village sites with hookups are particularly competitive during this cooler season.