Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
PHOTO:IRJALIINA PAAVONPERA/TRAVEL + LEISURE
Just north of Jackson Hole, you can peek at the Rocky Mountains and see plenty of wildlife and lakes. Grand Teton National Park is also located next to the National Elk Refuge, where you can spot hundreds of elk, depending on when you go. While you can stay at one of the six campgrounds inside the national park, Signal Mountain in particular has the best reviews. An RV park and a village with tent cabins are also available should you prefer something beyond traditional tent camping. Whatever you do, reserve as far ahead as you can, since online reservations for campsites open up to six months in advance and tend to fill up quickly. Keep an eye out for roaming bison, mule deer, and moose, as well as the occasional bear.
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Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests, Colorado
PHOTO:J.C. LEACOCK / GETTY IMAGES
With more than 3,000 miles of trails and three million acres of public land, you're guaranteed a beautiful view of the Rocky Mountains in Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests. You'll see a variety of landscapes among the 59 campsites, including open meadows, evergreen forests, mountains, and lakes. Most are open seasonally, while a select few stay open all year long — check the website for road conditions beforehand if you plan to camp during the winter months.