8 Best Lakefront Campgrounds in the U.S. for an Unforgettable Escape!

Exploring the best lakefront campgrounds in the U.S. offers a perfect blend of scenic beauty, outdoor adventure, and relaxation by the water.Lakefront campgrounds are the most preferred destinations when it comes to a weekend getaway in an RV.

I have seen RVs parked in front of several houses in Ottawa. The Canadians would be waiting for the snow to melt away so that they could take off within a week, either in a motor home or towing a kayak to nearby waterfronts.

I believe the American is equally passionate about spending a weekend with their family in a campground facing a lake or a river.

Fortunately, both Canada and the U.S. are blessed with extremely beautiful lakes.

Moreover, most of the lakeside spots have well-equipped with RV parking spaces.

The Government authorities are keen to develop such places as tourist spots, and they have built up modern amenities in every campground.

In this blog post, I have compiled a list of 8 Best Lakefront Campgrounds in the U.S. for an Unforgettable Escape!

8 Best Lakefront Campgrounds in the U.S. for an Unforgettable Escape!

1. Yosemite Creek Campground, California 

Obviously, it is located near Yosemite NP.  The exact address is on Google map is Tiago Road.

Another landmark is Tuolumne Meadows. Our campground destination is 40 km west of the prominent landmark.

Campers don’t idle away their time, by sitting or sleeping in the motor home. They go out to see the scenery, wildlife etc. In addition, they hike through walking trails, which is their prime outdoor activity.

This particular spot near the creek has a few trails. Bears prowl around. Mules can be spotted and so do the American Dipper.

Squirrels are plenty, and they like you to feed them.

The area is filled with myriad bird calls and the air is pretty pure.

Vault toilets (without a flushing facility) are provided. No other facility is in sight. You may have to bring in your food, water, and beer.

This waterfront camping place is located in the Sierra Nevada region.

2. Wahweap RV Park, Arizona

Probably, you may not be aware of any waterfront in Arizona, which is made of canyons, and desert-like climate.

However, the grand Lake Powell is present here. It is one of the ideal lakefront campgrounds north of New York.

The lack of foliage might sink your spirit. Nonetheless, this is one kind of campground facing a lake that is surrounded by rocks, and cliffs.

The nearest city is Page. This is located about 390 km north of the state capital Phoenix.

Since the Lake Powell is a large lake, you can expect some water sports that include, kayaking, and jetskiing.

Fishing, a very favourite activity for the Americans, is allowed in the lake.

There are more than 100 camping sites abutting the Lake Powell.

Facilities include good drinking water, laundry, shop, and showers. Wi-Fi is also available, and I think it is free.

Please be aware that Wahweep campsite is part of the Glen Canyon National Park. Therefore, you get to see numerous wildlife such as ospreys, waterfowl, and bald eagles ( they are not actually bald).

Among the animals, you can spot the rare Pronghorn Antelope.

Keeping them company is the Bighorn Sheep.

It is not a snake but a lizard that is as poisonous as a cobra, These monsters thrive in the hot, and arid conditions in Arizona.

As many as 6 trails are here with easy to tough, to hike through. The best among them is the New Wave Trail.

3. Lake George Campground, New York

You may be aware of the gorgeous Adirondacks region, in New York. Lake George is easily accessible from New York City.

It takes about 4 to 4.5 hours from the city, towards New Hampshire.

This is one of the largest RV parks in the U.S. As many as 250 parking lots are reserved for motorhomes to park. The sprawling campus comprises a whopping 120 acres!

In addition, there are sites earmarked for pitching canvas tents.

Moreover, cabins are available for those who don’t come in an RV but in their own car.

The facilities include basketball and volleyball courts. Separate playground is available for children.

There is a mini supermarket and a gift shop too, that will be useful to the campers.

Boat cruises are also possible in Lake George. Inflatables are rented out for adventure seekers. Fishing is allowed in the lake.

For the sake of weekenders, showers, and toilette facilities are provided. Both of them are reported to be very clean.

Pay and use washing machines are installed. I think it is a thoughtful amenity.

Four restaurants serve visitors with glee. You can expect a diverse range of foods, including the pizza.

Yes, there is a pub too.  For the whiskey lovers, there is a locally brewed Adirondack Wildfire Whiskey. It will be a refreshing change from your usual scotch brands,

Other added attractions nearby include a water theme park, which is actually an indoor water park.

Do you like mini-golf? I played it once in Montreal. It is such a fun. That facility and a go-kart game are also your options to spend time with your family.

Birds such as the beautiful Blue Jays, and Red Cardinals will catch your eyes. They are strikingly beautiful.

Other bird species that can be easily spotted because of abundant water-based prey, include:

• Bald Eagles
• Hummingbirds (they are human-friendly)
• Pileated Woodpeckers
• Great Blue Heron
• Mallard Ducks
• Wood Ducks

Overall, Lake George Campsite is a wonderful escape from the city of New York.

4. Monkey Island RV Resort, Oklahoma

This lakefront RV campground is located in the vicinity of Grand Lake o’ the Cherokees.

It is more than just a campground; it is a full-fledged resort.

At the outset, please know that Monkey Island is only a peninsula, and not an island.

The RV campsite is abutting the Grand Lake o’ the Cherokees. The gateway to this campsite is Grove.

The lake occupies a staggering 46,500 acres. In addition, it is an elevated water body, situated at 750 feet, approximately.

The large lake has a beautiful backdrop in the form of the Ozark Mountain Range.

Since all the 70 parking lots for the motorhomes are fully hooked up to water, sewage, and electricity, this is called an RV Resort in front of the Grand Lake.

Campers can expect clean shower rooms, and washing machines that swallow coin currency and let you load your dirty linens for washing.

Above all, you are connected to the web, free of cost. Isn’t that wonderful?

Easily procure your kitchen needs at a small convenience store. For bigger needs, you can always go to Grove, 13 km away.

If you are hesitant to get into the Grand Lake o’ the Cherokees, you can use the swimming pool, near the clubhouse.

You can try your hand at the horseshoe pit, provided at the RV campsite.

Don’t you know it is a great time pass? See a video below that shows how to play a horseshoe pit game.

All you have to do is throw the horseshoe-shaped rings at the pole that is erected 40 feet away.

In addition to the horseshoe pit game, a cornhole board game is also provided.

Of course, boating in the lake can also be enjoyed. The Monkey Island RV resort is set up at a scenic place.

5. Lake Superior State Forest Campground, Michigan

Lake Superior needs no introduction. It is as popular as its huge size measuring 560 km by 260 km in length and breadth. The lake begins in Canada and ends in Michigan.

As many as 10 rivers empty their possession into Lake Superior. It flows out as a single river called St. Mary’s River.

A campground facing this mighty lake must obviously be big and can accommodate hundreds of caravans. However, sadly too, only 18 lots are reserved for motorhomes.

I expected top facilities, but I am disappointed that it is not so. Even modern toilets are not provided, only vault toilets.

For drinking water, you have to use the Stoneage hand pump!

Shops are located about 55 km away in a village. Some restaurants are also available, but not very near to the campsite.

If you don’t carry any beer or whiskey, you have to take your RV out and travel for 55 km to reach Newberry Village to satisfy your needs.

Unfortunately, there is no Wi-Fi. You have to bank on your mobile data.

To flex your muscles, go fishing, hiking, or boating. For more adventurous-minded people, stand-up boards, and paddles are rented out,

If you hope to spot some wildlife, look out for chipmunks, deer, rabbits, and the giant elk.

Raccoons come out in the night. They fight with foxes and coyotes.

Nestled on the coast of Lake Superior, this spot is perfect for hiking, fishing, and paddle boarding.

6. South Lake Tahoe campground,  California

How it could be if your lakefront campsite is set up amidst the Pendorasa pine forest? Don’t you think it will exceed your imagination of a campground facing a lake and woods beyond it?

Lake Tahoe’s south shore is the most ideal RV park in California. Surprisingly, it is a large freshwater lake measuring above 30 km in length, in the Sierra Nevada region.

The gateway city to the lakeside RV park is South Lake Tahoe. It is about 160 km northeast of Sacramento.

The campsite can accommodate 40 caravans.  Moreover, a few adjoining campgrounds abutting the lake have space for about 500+ sites. I would like to point out, especially the Tahoe Valley Campground that can take in nearly 500 RVs!

Facilities include pay and use bathroom and laundry. But there is no Wi-Fi, electricity, or drinking water facility.

These lacunas imply this campsite is more rustic than modern campgrounds near big cities.

For restaurants, drinking holes, and grocery shops, you have to go to South Lake Tahoe town nearby.

Outdoor activities that you can indulge in include:

• Biking
• Trekking
• Swimming
• Stand-up paddling
• Jet-skiing
• Kayaking
• Bird watching
• Fishing

If you want to extend your camping, there are nearby places to see, such as:

• Tahoe Meadows
• Emerald Bay State Park
• Eagle Waterfalls

If you don’t mind the lack of amenities, I think you will like this campsite in California.

7. Fontainebleau State Park, Louisiana

The northern shore of Lake Pontchartrain is where you can conveniently park your camper van.

The site is fully hooked up with electricity, showers, and a toilet. However, Wi-Fi is absent. You have to depend on your mobile data.

This lakefront campground can take in 170 RVs.

Mandeville town is located just 6 km away. You will find shops and restaurants.

You can fish in the Lake Pontchartrain.

It is quite a large lake comprising a whopping 1630 sq. km! That’s really huge.

Jet skiing is possible in the lake. Mandeville town has shops that rent out jet skis, paddle boards, and kayaks. So, this campsite is good for adventure buffs.

As a matter of fact, even parasailing is offered in the lake.

It’s a haven for bird lovers. The site around the lake is home to more than 200 species of birds. I guess, the majority of them are water birds such as goose, duck, and scoter.

8. Lake Mead RV Village, Nevada.

I believe Nevada has more campsites than any other state in the U.S. I suppose, the state’s geography, and landscape are suited for lakefront camping.

Lake Mead is a very large, freshwater lake measuring 190 km in length. Consequently, some part of the lake stretches into Arizona state also. It is a National Recreation Area.

The large lake is used as a major drinking water reservoir. The lakefront RV Park is located only 40 km from the state capital, Las Vegas, one of the highly-visited cities in the U.S.

Due to its size, it is called RV Village wherein, 115 caravans can be parked, abutting Lake Mead.

Campers who drive in their motorhomes can heave a big sigh of relief because, the camping sites have sewage, electricity, and water facilities.

There are quite a lot of activities such as wildlife watching, horseshoe game, swimming, and fishing.

You can either take a mini boat into the lake and try to catch some fish. Else, there is a pier from which, most campers sit, and try their luck with angling.

However, both swimming and fishing are allowed in specially earmarked areas because the lake is used as a dam.

If you are looking for some thrill in the water, you can indulge in:

• Wakeboarding
• Tubing
• Knee boarding
• Wake surfing
• Water skiing
• Stand-up paddling
• Kayaking

These activities require quite a number of accessories for rent-right? Here are the places from where the campers can rent them out.

• Las Vegas Boat Harbour, Las Vegas

This company is the most preferred one because, they ship the heavy kayaks, paddles, boards, and other accessories, directly to the RV Village, Lake Mead.

• Skiwi Rentals, Henderson City (40 km away from the RV Village)
• There is another company called Boating Lake Mead, near Las Vegas Boat Harbor that offers quite a few water sports equipment for hire.

Being a highly visited lakefront campground, several shops, and restaurants have come up near the motorhome park. I read the names of 10 restaurants!

The area around the lake is home to numerous wildlife that include:

• Mountain Lion
• Bighorn Sheep
• Bobcats
• Mule
• Ospreys
• Bald Eagle
• Great Blue Heron
• Gila Monsters
•  Coyotes
• Raccoons

Las Vegas City acts as the gateway to Lake Mead Campsite.