10 Campground Books That Will Change Your Outdoor Adventures

Trusted by experts like Rich Shipley, Stephanie Puglisi, and Ultimate Campgrounds, these Campground books offer practical advice and insider tips for every outdoor enthusiast.

Updated on June 23, 2025
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What if your next camping trip could be more than just a getaway? Imagine capturing every memorable moment, finding the perfect hidden spot, or uncovering affordable adventures you never knew existed. Campground books have evolved into essential tools for anyone passionate about the outdoors, offering not just information but a richer, more personal connection to nature.

Experts like Rich Shipley, whose detailed guide to cheap camping in Colorado reveals secret spots away from the crowds, or Stephanie and Jeremy Puglisi, who blend family life with extensive RV travel expertise, have shaped how we explore campgrounds today. Their insights come from years of hands-on experience, turning practical knowledge into trustworthy guidance.

While these expert-curated books provide proven frameworks, readers seeking content tailored to their specific camping style, location, or goals might consider creating a personalized Campground book that builds on these insights. Tailored content can help you plan trips, document memories, and explore new terrains with confidence and ease.

Best for families documenting camping trips
Enchanted Willow is an independently published author known for creating engaging travel journals that help families document their adventures. With a passion for the outdoors and a commitment to quality, Willow's works are designed to enhance the camping experience by providing structured ways to record memories and details of trips.
2021·163 pages·Camping, Campground, Travel Journals, Vacation Planning, Family Activities

When Enchanted Willow first discovered the joy of preserving camping memories, she realized that many families struggled to capture their adventures in a meaningful way. This journal goes beyond a simple logbook by providing detailed forms for campsite information, checklists, and writing prompts designed to help you recall the moments that make each trip special. You’ll learn to organize your travels with index pages and track kid-friendly locations and connectivity options, making it ideal for family vacations and long-term RV journeys. If you enjoy camping and want a structured way to document your experiences without fuss, this book offers a thoughtful approach tailored for outdoor enthusiasts who cherish stories as much as scenery.

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Best for RV travelers preserving memories
Bri M Tarros is an avid record-keeper and journaling enthusiast whose passion began with her first diary as a child. She creates books designed to help others discover the joy and power of documenting their lives. Her deep experience with logs, journals, and notebooks informs this camping journal, providing prompts and creative formats that fit diverse lifestyles and help you preserve every detail of your outdoor adventures.
2020·120 pages·Campground, Camping, Travel, Journaling, Memory Keeping

What if everything you knew about campground journaling was wrong? Bri M Tarros challenges the idea that memories can be left to chance by offering a structured, yet personal, way to capture every detail of your camping adventures. You learn to document not just locations and dates, but also the people you met, the activities you enjoyed, and even your favorite moments through prompts like 'Most memorable event' and 'Visit/do next time.' This book benefits families, RV travelers, and anyone who values preserving the full experience of outdoor life with thoughtful reflection and creativity.

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Best for personalized campground plans
This AI-created book on campground planning is tailored to your specific goals and experience level. You share your camping background, favorite environments, and what you want to achieve, whether it’s adventurous site selection or relaxed family trips. This personalized guidebook covers exactly the aspects you need, avoiding irrelevant information and making your campground planning both efficient and enjoyable.
2025·50-300 pages·Campground, Campground Planning, Site Selection, Trip Logistics, Safety Practices

This personalized book provides a detailed blueprint for mastering campground planning and enjoyment, focusing on a tailored approach that fits your unique camping style and goals. It covers practical strategies for selecting ideal sites, managing logistics, and enhancing outdoor experiences with personalized tips on safety, amenities, and activities. The content cuts through generic advice to deliver insights aligned with your preferred terrains, travel modes, and group dynamics. Additionally, it offers frameworks for documenting trips and optimizing campground choices based on your specific context, allowing for efficient and enjoyable planning. This tailored guidebook bridges expert principles with your individual needs, ensuring relevant and applicable campground mastery.

Tailored Blueprint
Campground Optimization
3,000+ Custom Books Made
Best for explorers planning US campgrounds
During three decades as an editor, writer, photographer, and speaker, Joe Yogerst has lived and worked across Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America. His extensive experience, including contributions to Conde Nast Traveler and more than 40 National Geographic books, underpins this guide. Yogerst’s background lends credibility and depth to the travel insights in this book, making it a trustworthy companion for those seeking to explore the breadth of the United States and Canada.

When National Geographic first discovered the challenge of capturing the vast diversity of American travel, they created this detailed guide to help you explore all 50 states and Canadian provinces with ease and insight. You gain specific knowledge about a wide range of destinations, from Civil War battlefields in the South to sea otter watching spots on the California coast, accompanied by practical travel information that makes planning straightforward. The book’s illustrations and rich anecdotes fuel your wanderlust while providing concrete ideas for your next excursion. It’s especially useful if you want to uncover both iconic and lesser-known places, whether you’re a seasoned traveler or planning your first big road trip.

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Best for federal campground explorers
Ultimate Campgrounds is known for providing comprehensive guides to camping areas across the United States, focusing on accessibility and outdoor recreation. Their expertise in cataloging diverse outdoor spaces led them to produce this directory that spans 942 camping areas managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This background equips them to deliver a resource that helps you confidently find and enjoy public campgrounds across 35 states, making your outdoor planning more informed and accessible.
2022·118 pages·Camping, Campground, Outdoor Recreation, Lake Camping, River Camping

What started as Ultimate Campgrounds' mission to make outdoor recreation accessible has blossomed into this detailed directory covering 942 camping sites managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers across 35 states. You gain a clear-eyed look at diverse lake and river projects, including campgrounds, marinas, and recreational areas, helping you plan trips in less familiar regions. The book’s straightforward listings, complete with location specifics and amenities, suit anyone eager to explore federally managed outdoor spaces, from weekend campers to seasoned adventurers seeking new spots. This isn’t a narrative or travelogue—it’s a precise resource to navigate and enjoy public campgrounds nationwide.

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Best for budget-conscious Colorado campers
Rich Shipley is an avid traveler and nature enthusiast inspired by the vast landscapes of the American West. His deep experience exploring national parks, national forests, and the desert Southwest led him to create this guide, helping you uncover affordable and beautiful camping spots in Colorado. His background in diverse environments adds credibility to the detailed campsite information, making this book a valuable resource for anyone seeking budget-friendly outdoor adventures.
2024·116 pages·Camping, Campground, Colorado Travel Guide, Travel, National Forests

When Rich Shipley first discovered the abundance of affordable camping spots across Colorado, he set out to share this treasure trove with fellow outdoor lovers. Drawing from his extensive travels through national parks, national forests, and the desert Southwest, Shipley provides you with precise GPS coordinates, detailed descriptions, and managing agency information for 100 top-tier campsites. You'll learn not only where to camp cheaply but also how to find quiet, scenic, and less-traveled spots, making your next adventure more about discovery than expense. This book suits anyone eager to explore Colorado's natural beauty without breaking the bank, whether you're a seasoned camper or new to the outdoors.

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Best for custom camping plans
This personalized AI book about campground skills is created after you share your camping background, skill level, and what specific areas you want to improve. You also tell us your goals for enhancing your campground experiences, and the book is written to guide you through daily actions that fit your unique camping style. With AI crafting a plan tailored to your needs, this approach helps you focus on what truly matters to you in camping, making your time outdoors more rewarding and effective.
2025·50-300 pages·Campground, Camping Basics, Site Selection, Campsite Setup, Outdoor Cooking

This personalized campground book provides a tailored 30-day plan designed to enhance your camping skills and experiences through daily actionable steps. It focuses on practical strategies to improve site selection, campsite setup, outdoor cooking, safety protocols, and environmental stewardship, all customized to your unique interests and current skill level. By cutting through generic advice, this book offers a personalized framework that fits your specific camping style and goals, helping you develop confidence and efficiency in diverse outdoor settings. It also addresses trip planning techniques, equipment optimization, and ways to deepen your connection with nature, ensuring each day's guidance builds meaningfully on the last.

Tailored Blueprint
Camping Optimization
3,000+ Custom Books Made
Best for urban camping enthusiasts
Ultimate Campgrounds specializes in providing comprehensive guides for camping enthusiasts, focusing on accessible and affordable camping options across the United States. Their expertise shines through in this book, which catalogs nearly two thousand camping areas in municipal parks nationwide. This background equips you with trustworthy guidance to explore camping opportunities closer to urban centers, broadening your outdoor experiences beyond traditional wilderness sites.
Camping in America's City & Town Parks book cover

by Ultimate Campgrounds··You?

2023·189 pages·Camping, Campground, Urban Camping, Municipal Parks, Outdoor Recreation

When Ultimate Campgrounds discovered the abundance of city and town parks offering camping opportunities, they created this guide to open those doors to enthusiasts like you. This book maps out 1,900 camping spots within 1,451 municipal parks across 46 states, making it a treasure trove for finding accessible and budget-friendly sites close to urban areas. You’ll learn how to identify these lesser-known camping options, understand their geographic distribution, and plan trips that blend outdoor adventure with city convenience. If your goal is to explore campgrounds beyond the usual national parks or wilderness areas, this guide delivers practical insights tailored to urban-adjacent camping.

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Best for RV travelers seeking savings
Good Sam Enterprises is a trusted name in the RV community, providing essential resources for RV travelers, including campground directories and travel tips. Their expertise culminates in this guide, which offers you a thorough directory of thousands of campgrounds along with exclusive savings and practical travel information designed to streamline your RV adventures.
2023 Good Sam Campground and Coupon Guide (Good Sams RV Travel Guide & Campground Directory) book cover

by Good Sam Enterprises Good Sam Enterprises··You?

2022·1456 pages·Campground, Travel, Outdoors, RV Parks, Camping Tips

When Good Sam Enterprises first recognized the challenges RV travelers face in finding reliable campgrounds, they compiled this guide to simplify your journey. Inside, you’ll find detailed information on over 12,300 private and public RV parks across North America, including ratings for 2,000 Good Sam Parks and exclusive coupons for suppliers like Camping World. The guide not only lists campgrounds but also offers expanded travel articles, lifestyle tips, and comprehensive maps to help you plan routes and stops effectively. If you’re an RV traveler looking to maximize comfort, savings, and informed choices, this directory serves as a practical companion for your adventures.

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Best for family camping memory keepers
Angel Smith is a passionate outdoor enthusiast who dedicates her work to helping families enhance their camping experiences by preserving memories. Her background in creating camping journals led her to develop this practical logbook, designed specifically for family campers and RV travelers who want to keep detailed records of their adventures and revisit those moments over time.
2020·111 pages·Camping, Campground, Travel Journaling, Memory Keeping, RV Travel

When Angel Smith first discovered the joy of preserving camping memories, she crafted this journal to capture the unique moments of each trip. This book teaches you how to document detailed campground information—from site numbers and weather to the people you shared the experience with—making it both a log and a keepsake. You’ll find space for photos, notes, and reflections, turning your outdoor adventures into lasting stories. If you enjoy family camping or RV travel and want a tangible way to revisit those memories, this journal offers a straightforward, thoughtful tool to enrich your trips.

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Best for national forest camping planners
Ultimate Campgrounds is a leading authority on public camping areas, providing comprehensive guides to camping locations across the United States. Their expertise and long-term commitment to cataloging campgrounds make this book a trusted resource for discovering thousands of forest service sites. This background ensures the information is accurate and accessible, connecting you to some of the best camping experiences across diverse landscapes.
National Forest Camping book cover

by Ultimate Campgrounds··You?

2021·276 pages·Camping, Campground, National Forests, Public Lands, Outdoor Recreation

When Ultimate Campgrounds compiled data from over a decade of public campground research, they created a go-to resource covering 3,704 camping spots across 154 national forests and 20 grasslands in 41 states. You gain detailed insights on site numbers, amenities, fees, and GPS coordinates, making this indispensable for anyone planning trips off the beaten path. The book is especially useful if you combine it with digital maps or GPS devices to navigate to remote locations, from mountain summits to riverbanks. Whether you’re a seasoned backpacker or a casual camper seeking new places, this guide offers precise, well-organized information to enhance your outdoor planning.

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Best for discovering unique US campgrounds
Stephanie and Jeremy Puglisi, creators of the RV Atlas and authors with deep personal experience traveling 80+ nights yearly in their RV with three children, bring you a richly detailed guide to America's campgrounds. Their firsthand knowledge and passion for family outdoor adventures shape this guide, designed to inspire and inform your next camping journey.

What if everything you knew about camping was wrong? Stephanie and Jeremy Puglisi challenge the typical notion that camping is just tents and campfires by guiding you through over 300 diverse campgrounds across all 50 states, including unique outdoor accommodations that redefine the experience. Drawing from their extensive RV travel lifestyle, they offer practical insights on campsite selection, safety, and outdoor activities like hiking and kayaking, making it a hands-on resource for both novices and seasoned campers. You'll find detailed profiles that help you tailor each adventure to your preferences, whether you seek solitude in national parks or family-friendly spots with amenities. This book suits anyone eager to expand their outdoor horizons beyond the usual camping clichés.

USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice Award Winner
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Conclusion

This collection of Campground books reveals three clear themes: the power of detailed documentation, the joy of discovery in both urban and wild settings, and the value of planning with trusted resources. If you enjoy preserving memories, start with journals like "Camping Journal & RV Travel Logbook" or "And So The Adventure Begins." For rapid trip planning and savings, combine "2023 Good Sam Campground and Coupon Guide" with "FREE AND SUPER CHEAP CAMPING IN COLORADO."

Explorers eager to uncover unique spots across the country will find "Where Should We Camp Next?" and "50 States, 5,000 Ideas" invaluable. Once you've absorbed these expert insights, create a personalized Campground book to bridge the gap between general principles and your specific situation.

Get ready to transform your outdoor adventures with knowledge, memories, and discoveries tailored just for you. Camping isn’t just a trip; it’s a story waiting to be written.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with "Camping Journal & RV Travel Logbook" if you want to capture your trips in detail, or "Where Should We Camp Next?" for fresh ideas on unique campgrounds. Both offer practical, approachable guidance for beginners and seasoned campers alike.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to Campground?

Not at all. Many books like "Camping Journal" and "National Forest Camping" cater to all experience levels, providing clear instructions and tips that help novices gain confidence quickly.

What's the best order to read these books?

Begin with journals to document your experiences, then explore guides like "Corps of Engineers Camping" and "50 States, 5,000 Ideas" to plan new adventures. Finally, use directories like "2023 Good Sam Campground and Coupon Guide" for practical travel logistics.

Do I really need to read all of these, or can I just pick one?

You can pick based on your interests. For memory keeping, choose a camping journal; for travel planning, opt for a guidebook. Each offers unique value but reading a couple provides a fuller perspective.

Which books focus more on theory vs. practical application?

Most focus on practical application, offering hands-on tips and detailed campground info. For example, "FREE AND SUPER CHEAP CAMPING IN COLORADO" provides exact GPS spots, while journals help organize your personal experience.

Can personalized Campground books really add value beyond these expert guides?

Yes, personalized books complement expert guides by tailoring content to your unique camping style, goals, and locations. They save time and focus on what matters most to you. Learn more about creating your custom Campground book.

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