Arches National Park, Utah
PHOTO:MARC SHANDRO / GETTY IMAGES
Nothing beats waking up on a cold morning to see fresh, white snow set against the red rocks of Arches National Park. One of the park's most popular hikes, the Delicate Arch Trail, takes you on an amazing trek full of photo opportunities. Note that Arches only has one campground, The Devils Garden, which offers a modest 51 campsites, although there are other places to camp nearby in the Moab area. Due to its size and the number of people who visit the park during the busier months, reservations are required for stays between March 1 and October 31 — campsites are available on a first come, first served basis from November to February.
Advertisement
Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada
PHOTO:CORNELIA DOERR / GETTY IMAGES
Located about a 45-minute drive from Las Vegas within Valley of Fire State Park, the Arch Rock Campground is a quiet camping oasis surrounded by dramatic red sandstones. One of just two campgrounds inside the park, Arch Rock offers 29 sites that are open during the busier months (spring through fall), while the other, the Atlatl Rock Campground, has 44 sites and is open year-round. All sites are first come, first served. Established in 1935, the park is home to 2,000-year-old petroglyphs, curious rock formations, and gorgeous vistas featuring its signature red sandstone.