11 Best Lakeside Campgrounds According to 2 Full-Time RVers

Last updated on February 24th, 2025 at 03:10 pm

Hey there, I’m Katherine! Like Cindy, I am a former full-time RVer who traveled the country with my partner and our dog in a Class C motorhome. I am also a finder of great deals and an extensive planner and researcher, which led me to stay in some of the best lakeside campgrounds and RV parks during my year of travel.

I will first divulge my seven favorite lakeside camping spots as an RVer, and then Cindy will add a few of her own.

Katherine’s 7 Favorite Lakeside Camping Spots

My partner and I love being near water, so staying close to as many lakes and rivers as possible was very important to us. My dog, who loved to swim, also benefited from this. I stayed at nearly 20 waterfront locations in one year, including almost a dozen lakes.

Let’s start the list!

1. Lake Havasu State Park Campground in Lake Havasu, Arizona

As soon as I knew we would spend the winter in Arizona, camping at Lake Havasu State Park was my top priority. Not only is the lake absolutely stunning, with the Mohave mountain range in the background, but this state park is directly on the water. As you can imagine, it booked up quickly. We had to snag our two-week spot six months in advance and were flexible with the dates.

Favorite Features:

• Beachfront. You can walk to the beach from any campsite.
• Full hookup sites.
• Large sites. You have space to spread out, including many pull-through and lakefront spots.
• Launch ramp. If you have a boat, there is a ramp at your fingertips!
• Several hiking trails in the park.
• Access to all shopping/tourist areas. We rode our bikes or took a short 5-minute drive to everything Lake Havasu had to offer. You’re genuinely right in the middle of everything while feeling like you’re in a beachside desert oasis!

2. Strawberry Bay Campground in Heber City, Utah

Strawberry Bay is a reservoir lake off the beaten path in Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest in Heber City, Utah, at nearly 7,200 ft elevation in northern Utah. The campground on the lake was a hidden gem I will never forget. There are full hookups, a marina restaurant, and a boat launch, but it’s a remote location that offers much for those who want to take in remote nature.

Favorite Features:

• The sites here are large and spread-out full hookup campsites, which are especially great for those traveling with dogs!
• Most sites have covered picnic tables.
• The views are incredible.
• Lots of water activities, including fishing.
• Wildlife sightings and lots of farm animals. So many roaming sheep!
• 30-40 minutes from shopping. We went to Midway, Utah, to get groceries, buy souvenirs, and get excellent baked goods. It’s worth the drive.

3. Heaton Bay Campground in Frisco, Colorado

Talk about a mountain lake – the Dillion Reservoir in Frisco, Colorado, is as picturesque as it gets. The campground on the lake, Heaton Bay, is relatively small and fills up quickly. There was only electricity, no water hookups, and no facilities. This is ideal for a shorter trip or if you’re self-contained. We showered at the local rec center and were strategic with water so we could stay for 10 days. It’s still one of my favorite camping spots of all time!

Favorite Features:

• There are lots of trees which make the campsites feel very private.
• Access directly to the lake. Our dog loved swimming in it daily. (Please note: the swimming rules change often here.)
• It’s very bikeable! We biked to local breweries, shops, and trails that went around the whole lake.
• Several local towns are within minutes, including Frisco, Silverthorn, and Dillon. We also made a short drive to Vail to spend the evening there. So there is lots to do and see from this location!

4. J.W. Wells State Park Campground in Cedar River, Michigan

JW Wells State Park, in Michigan, is a 700-acre park on Lake Michigan. It is enormous and equally as beautiful! The campground was tighter and less private. However, there was direct access to Lake Michigan throughout the park, and we spent 90% of our time outside exploring. One of the best features of this park was all the little private lakefront pockets – we found one that I remote worked from all week, and my dog could swim. It was very peaceful and beautiful!

Favorite Features:

• Full hookups and nice facilities. The bathroom was so lovely here that we showered in the bathrooms instead of our own brand-new and large RV bathroom!
• There are many picnic tables, fields, shelters, and bike-riding trails along the lake.
• It’s 30 minutes south of Escanaba, where you can get everything you need – including Starbucks!
• The lake is swimmable, which was a must during the hot summer! It was great to have a clean, swimmable lake.

5. Prairie Flower Recreation Area Campground in Polk City, Iowa

We had to drive through Iowa to get to Colorado, and truthfully, we didn’t think anything would be here except farms. We were so wrong! Prairie Flower Campground on Saylorville Lake, just north of Des Moines in Polk City, Iowa, was a beautiful oasis with prairies full of flowers and butterflies, plus endless walking and bike riding trails.

Favorite Features:

• This is a spread-out campground with firepits, picnic tables, and space for privacy. Note: Not all spots have water hookups, but all have electricity.
• Very nice and clean facilities.
• Direct access to Saylorville marina and beach.
• Bike paths that go really far!
• Quick access to Des Moines (I highly recommend exploring this incredible city) and other small towns. Nothing was out of reach, but the park felt peaceful and secluded.

6. Lake Pleasant County Park in Peoria, Arizona

Lake Pleasant Regional Park is right off the enormous and stunning Lake Pleasant, about an hour north of Phoenix in Peoria, Arizona. It’s the only area in the United States where wild Burro (donkeys) roam, which was surreal and fun to see! The campground itself is older, and the terrain was a bit rough, but the spots were well spread out, and many offered full hookups. 

Favorite Features:

• There is a direct view of the lake from almost all camping spots.
• Also, there’s a visitor center with lots of information and trails.
• It’s in a remote, very peaceful location.
• There are opportunities for boating and water sports.
• It’s only 25 minutes from major shopping, restaurants, and grocery stores.

7. Kerr Lake State Recreation Area Campground in Henderson, North Carolina

Kerr Lake sits on the state line of North Carolina and Virginia and is yet again a remote lake! Kerr Lake State Recreation Area Campground is clean, safe, and welcoming. There was no shortage of trails, beautiful tree-lined shorelines, and places to explore. We had countless picnics on the beaches, let our dog swim, and had a considerable camping spot that was both private and full of wildlife.

Favorite Features:

• There are many areas to explore, including trails and bike paths.
• The lake is swimmable with walk-in beach access.
• The campsites are large with full hookups and shade (which is essential in the NC heat!)
• Firepits and firewood for sale.
• It’s roughly 30 minutes from stores.

Cindy’s 4 Favorite Lakeside Camping Spots

Hi there! I couldn’t help myself; after reading about Katherine’s lakeside favorites, I knew I wanted to quickly jump into this article and share some of my personal favorites as well! 😻

1. Lake Guntersville State Park Campground in Guntersville, Alabama

Barrett and I didn’t know what to expect when we originally booked our spot at Lake Guntersville State Park in Alabama to attend the RV Entrepreneur Summit. But let me say that this gem of a park blew us away!

The lodge, golf course, beach area, zipline, and hiking and biking trails make visiting this state park feel more like an outdoor resort experience than camping. We loved every moment there and often discuss planning a trip back to the area.

While we had a full hookup RV spot, many different camping options were available, including glamping tents, cabins, and non-electric sites.

Favorite Features:

• This massive state park campground has miles of hiking trails, amenities, and facilities.
• It’s close to High Falls.

2. Traverse City State Park Campground in Traverse City, Michigan

While the Traverse City State Park campground is not on the water, it’s pretty darn close. (You have to cross a pedestrian bridge to get to the state park’s beach area.)

This region of Michigan has so much to explore! You can take a day trip to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore or book a Kabrew tour to visit local breweries and eateries via bike and kayak. Also, the campground connects to a bike path we thoroughly used. Here is a DIY bike-n-ride libations tour I created while using the TART bike path system in the area!

The campground has hundreds of sites and is full of tall, beautiful trees that provide lots of shade. Be aware that this large campground gets very busy in the summer. Be ready for a more party-like atmosphere than that at other campgrounds.

Favorite Features:

• You can rent jet skis nearby.
• The park connects to a walking and biking trail, providing town access.
• There are lots of fun activities nearby, like mini-golf!

3. Boulder Beach Campground / Lake Mead RV Village in Boulder City, Nevada

Boulder Beach Campground and Lake Mead RV Village in Nevada are next door to each other in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. The main difference between these two campgrounds is that Boulder Beach Campground is a dry campground, while Lake Mead RV Village has full hookups.

Depending on how low Lake Mead is, this RV destination can be distanced from the lake; however, it’s still close enough, with unobstructed, gorgeous views of the water and the surrounding mountains! (I swear there are colors in the sky that can only be seen in Nevada and Arizona.)

While there, we took several day trips to nearby destinations, saw amazing sunsets, often used the nearby Historic Railroad Tunnel Hiking Trail, and biked the River Mountains Loop Trail.

Favorite Features:

• We loved this spot’s proximity to Boulder City, the Hoover Dam, and Las Vegas, Nevada, for day trips.
• The Lake Mead National Recreation Area has many wilderness areas and hiking options.
• There is a well-connected, long bike path in the vicinity.

4. Woodenfrog Campground in Kabetogama, Minnesota

Since most of Voyageurs National Park camping options are only accessible via boat, staying at Woodenfrog State Forest campground on Kabetogama Lake is one of the closest options for parking an RV just outside the national park.

This campground provides gorgeous, private, dry campsites with no electricity.

Favorite Features:

• The campground has a beautiful pine tree shoreline, a swimming beach, a picnic area, and hiking trails.
• For car camping and RVs, it is in unbeatable proximity to Voyageurs National Park.
• You can rent a canoe nearby in town (or hire a local) to boat you to different parts of the national park.

Katherine’s Bucket List Waterfront Camping Spots

There are a few bucket-list waterfront camping spots I would still love to go to! These places are in demand and book up quickly for a reason. Let me mention a few of my favorites!

Mazama Village Campground in Crater Lake, Oregon

Crater Lake National Park, in the Cascade Mountains in Oregon, is one of the most photographed areas in the state for a reason.

There are a few RV camping options around the park area, but the Mazama Village campground is known to be one of the best! It’s located in the old-growth forest, right on a bluff, and is the closest you can stay to the lake (about 7 miles from the lake) and all its trails. It’s only open for a short summer period every year, making it a hot commodity. 

Any Campground around Flathead Lake in Montana

Flathead Lake in northwestern Montana is another one on the list! It’s the largest natural body of water in the Western US and one of the cleanest lakes in the world. There are many campgrounds to pick from here, and they all have beautiful views of this lake. There’s wildlife to see, hiking, boating, fishing, and horseback riding, and it’s only 30 miles from Glacier National Park!

South Carlsbad State Beach Campground in Carlsbad, California

The South Carlsbad State Beach campground on the Pacific Ocean is one of the top contenders on my bucket list of waterfront parks! It’s one of the most in-demand state parks for camping. You’re right on the beautiful beach and can access Carlsbad, an amazing, artsy town in Southern California. This park only allows smaller RVs and is quite tight, but a staircase takes you straight to some of the best waves, surfing, and swimming!

Tips for Family Camping at Lakeside Parks

Many lakeside parks offer great activities for the whole family, from playing on the lakeside beaches to riding bikes or taking a boat ride. (Always ensure your family is well versed in water safety, especially younger children who may need assistance with swimming.)

There’s never a shortage of activities at lakeside parks, especially if you plan ahead and come prepared. (Don’t forget the sunscreen and bug spray!)

How to find the perfect campground?

The perfect campground is going to be different for every single camper.

First, ensure it has the essentials you need. Consider questions such as:

🚐 Do you need full hookups?
🔥 Is a firepit and picnic area most important to you?
🚤 Are you bringing a boat?

After figuring out your needs, it’s easier to eliminate and make a small list of campgrounds. I always look for the amenities, the season, availability (I like to go during less crowded times), and whether there is access to resources like grocery stores.

RV Enthusiast Insights: How to Get the Best Lakefront Camping Spots

Getting the best lakefront camping spot is all about timing! When I booked my favorite campgrounds, like Lake Havasu, I booked them and then planned around them. Sometimes, having flexibility with dates isn’t just a good idea; it’s essential to getting the spot you want.

The lakefront spots and full hookups always go first, so make sure you book as soon as camping at your destination becomes available and secure the spot that will get you the most bang for your buck.

Activities to Enjoy: Fishing, Swimming, and More

There are endless activities to enjoy at the lake, whether you enjoy fishing from the shores or you want to swim! We love swimming in my family and always found a spot off the beaten path to dip in the lakes we stayed on. Even if you don’t have a boat, many lakeside campgrounds will have rentable kayaks, canoes, paddle boats, and motorboats.

In the past, we have even befriended campers in a speedboat that took us on a lake tour!

Conclusion: Planning Your Lakeside Campground or RV Park Escape

There is much to consider when planning a lakeside camping trip, but here’s the good news: there is no shortage of excellent lakeside campgrounds! Additionally, many are state parks, making them affordable, clean, and easy to book!

If you’re a water enthusiast or simply enjoy a beautiful sunset over the water, be sure to book a stay on a lakeside campground – you won’t regret it.

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