If you’re a hardcore camper, you can sleep outside year-round. But for the average camper, summer is the best time to spend some time out in nature . . . avoiding ticks and peeing in the woods.
A recent report determined the best and worst STATES for camping based on 25 metrics, including safety, supplies, camper satisfaction, and affordability.
In the end, California was #1 . . . despite being dead-last in safety. California had the most park DEATHS between 2010 and 2020 at 300 . . . 151 more than the next state, Arizona.
Cell reception can also be very spotty, which can make it hard to get help.
The rest of the 10 best are: Washington . . . Texas . . . Florida . . . New York . . . Colorado . . . Michigan . . . Virginia . . . North Carolina . . . and Minnesota.
Surprisingly, North Dakota ranked last, despite getting the #1 score for BOTH safety and camper satisfaction. That seems strange, but North Dakota was sunk by low marks in “attractions” . . . number of camp sites . . . and cost.
The rest of the 10 WORST are: Rhode Island . . . Louisiana . . . Nevada . . . Mississippi . . . South Dakota . . . Delaware . . . Alabama . . . Wyoming . . . and West Virginia.
But even those states aren’t all bad, depending on what you’re looking for. For example, in states with lower populations, you might have less competition and a better chance of scoring a peaceful campsite.
