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Best LGBTQ+ Campgrounds
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Get out and stay out this summer at one of these five outstanding LGBTQ+ campgrounds. Feel safe and welcomed while exploring nature, hanging out with friends, and meeting new people. The most difficult decision you'll have to make is which one you're going to first!
Before you head out, make sure you're prepared and have your camping checklist ready to go because you're going to need supplies.
1. Rainbow Ranch, Groesbeck, TX
Camping in Texas
Photo by Pete Alexopoulos on UnsplashLocated in central Texas, the Rainbow Ranch is an LGBTQ+ campground with tent sites, RV sites, cabins, an apartment, and a large house. Gather your queers and head to the Ranch for a weekend of hiking or biking on their 700 acres of land, hanging by the pool, or fishing on Lake Limestone.
Rainbow Ranch hosts special events every other weekend, so be sure to check out their calendar before booking your stay. For a more quiet, peaceful experience, consider booking one of their "off" weekends.
Rainbow Ranch received Dallas Voice's Readers Voice Award for Best Weekend Getaway seven years in a row, so go and see what everyone is raving about!
Address: 1662 LCR 800, Groesbeck, TX 76642
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2. Sawmill Camping Resort, Dade City, FL
Camping in Florida
Photo by Denys Kostyuchenko on UnsplashHighly regarded as the go-to LGBTQ+ camping resort in the southeast, Sawmill Camping Resort has something for everyone. Take a walk around Ricki Lake, enjoy some pool time, or dance the night away in Woody's Nightclub. With 4 bars, a heated outdoor pool, themed events, a general store, and tons of delicious food options, you'll never want to leave.
Sawmill is a 21+ camping resort, with clothing optional at the pool. You must have a membership to stay at Sawmill, which costs $50 and is valid for an entire year. Spend a couple of weekends here and the membership will pay for itself in no time.
Address: 21710 US Hwy. 98, Dade City, FL 33523
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3. Campit Resort, Fennville, MI
Camping in Michigan
Photo by Gary Meulemans on UnsplashCampit Outdoor Resort is a camping resort that offers a welcoming atmosphere for LGBTQ+ folks and allies. In addition to tent and RV camping, Campit offers a number of lodging choices including cabins, a Bed and Breakfast, and Vintage Trailers. The resort offers a number of scheduled events and activities so that you'll never be bored during your stay.
As if being near the shores of Lake Michigan wasn't enough, the resort offers a clubhouse, rec hall, a game room, heated pool, a volleyball court, horseshoes, and plenty of hiking trails. The general store is stocked with essentials, as well as an extensive collection of Pride merchandise. Campit also has a "toy store" which is stocked with a broad selection of leather goods and novelty items.
Perhaps the best perk of Campit is that they are pet friendly, so pack up your four-legged pals for the weekend.
Address: 6635 118th Ave, Fennville, MI 49408
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4. The Woods Campground, Lehighton, PA
Camping in Pennsylvania
Photo by Ryan Stone on UnsplashNestled on 161 private acres, The Woods Campground is a membership-only 18+ camping resort. With hiking trails, streams, and a four-acre lake, the Woods is a paradise for any nature enthusiast. If that isn't your scene, don't worry, the Woods has plenty of amenities to enjoy, including a cafe and dance club. With an outdoor pool and patio, volleyball, and frequent events, there is always something on at the Woods.
You can purchase a single-day membership ($25 per person) or a season membership ($45 per person). This fee is separate from camping fees but is well worth it. The Woods has a variety of campsites for tents, RVs, and trailers, as well as cabin rentals and resort homes.
Address: 3500 Forest Street Lehighton, PA 18235
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5. The Highlands Resort, Guernsville, CA
Camping in Northern California
Photo by Ruben Mishchuk on UnsplashA gem in the Northern California, The Highlands Resort is a quiet, peaceful place high in the Redwood Forests of CA, located on the Russian River. Bike, hike, or go wine tasting during the day, and at night, check out local bars and restaurants, or soak in the beauty of your surroundings and the star-filled skies. Guerneville sits in the heart of Sonoma County and is renowned for being LGBTQ+ friendly, with many queer-owned businesses to visit.
With a number of quaint and quirky river villages to explore, along with endless outdoor recreation options, you will have plenty to do during your stay here. Highlands offers a variety of unique cabins and rooms to book for your stay.
Address: 14000 Woodland Dr. Guerneville, CA 9544
Learn More
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RV Camping checklist
RV Specific Items
What you need for the RV
Photo by Kojiro Inui on Unsplash- Roadside emergency kit
- Sewer kit
- Extra motor oil and transmission fluids
- Surge protector
- Electrical adapters
- Water pressure regulator
- Drinking water hose
- Leveling blocks
- Tire pressure gauge
- Extension cords
- Wheel chocks
- Duct tape
- Battery jumper cables
- Fire extinguisher
- Toolbox
- Generator
- RV documents (registration, insurance, etc.)
Kitchen and Food
What to cook while RVing
Photo by Chinh Le Duc on Unsplash- Potable water
- Water bottles
- Food storage containers
- Food and beverages
- Cooler and extra ice
- Plates, cups, bowls
- Cooking utensils
- Eating utensils
- Dishtowels
- Potholders
- Paper Towels
- Trashbags
- Dish soap
- Sponge or scrubber
- Grill for outdoor cooking (optional)
- Can and bottle opener
- Pots and pans
- Coffee pot and/or tea kettle
Sleep Essentials
What blankets to bring while RVing
Photo by Jordan Bigelow on Unsplash- Sheets, blankets, and comforters
- Pillows and pillow cases
- Extra cots or air mattresses as needed
- Air pump if needed
Toiletries for the RV
Toiletry essentials for RVing
Photo by Tyler Nix on Unsplash- Soap (face and body)
- Hand soap
- Hand sanitizer
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Deodorant
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Hairbrush
- Tweezers
- Toilet paper
- First aid kit
- Tampons/sanitary products
- Bath towels
- Shoes to shower in (if using campground facilities)
- Solar shower (If RV doesn't have a shower/bath)
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- Lotion
- Lip-balm
Personal Items Needed While RVing
Taking your personal items on your RV adventure
Photo by Rainier Ridao on Unsplash- Medication
- Phone and phone charger
- Laptop or tablet and charger
- Wallet with ID and credit/debit cards
- Campsite reservation information
- Eyeglasses and sunglasses
Clothing and Footwear Needed for RVing
What clothes do you need when you go RVing?
Photo by Ali Kazal on Unsplash- Moisture-wicking shirts
- Moisture-wicking pants
- Underwear
- Long sleeve shirt
- Socks
- Down or fleece jacket
- Rain jacket
- Rain pants
- Hat
- Sleepwear
- Swimsuit
- Hiking boots or sneakers
- Sandals or flip flops
- Winter/snow gear depending on the season
Miscellaneous
What else will we need for Rving?
Photo by Alice Donovan Rouse on Unsplash- Headlamp
- Lantern
- Extra batteries
- Cleaning supplies
- Portable charging bank or solar charger
- Firewood and fire starter (If fires are permitted at your campsite)
- Books and/or games
- Dog gear if bringing your four-legged pals
- Dry bags or plastic bins to store items
- Backpack or hiking pack
- Hiking, fishing, kayaking, or other gear for activities
- Outdoor rug
- Patio furniture (chairs, tables, etc.)
- Pop-up tent (if RV doesn't have an awning)
Enjoy Your Trip
You've gone through your checklist and have inspected your RV to make sure everything is up to standard and in working order. Now it's time to decide where you are going to set up camp and hit the road! There are many more logistics to deal with when RV camping compared to car camping, but with the right preliminary preparation, you can relax knowing everything is in place for the perfect RVing experience.
Best Campgrounds for Lesbians
Windover Women's Resort, Owendale, MI
Go canoeing
Photo by Michael Niessl on UnsplashFounded in the 1980s, Windover Women's Resort was created to provide all women with a safe outdoor camping experience. Located in Owendale, Michigan, the resort offers many amenities and activities to women over the age of 18. With an in-ground heated swimming pool, clubhouse, camp store, and multi sports-court, you will never be bored during your stay here.
Windover Women's Resort
Sugarloaf Women's Village, Sugarloaf Key, FL
Florida Camping
Photo by Jorge Vasconez on UnsplashIn 1976 Barbara Deming and her partner Jane Verlaine moved to the Florida Keys, where they created the oasis now known as Sugarloaf Women's Village. The lush acreage on Sugarloaf Key boasts four houses, two guest cottages, and a campground for RV and tent campers. Women are welcome to camp here for a few days up to several weeks, or they may submit an application for residency if they wish to stay for an extended period of time. Though only lesbians are permitted to live full-time here, any woman is welcome to camp or visit. Sugarloaf fosters a sense of community among the women who stay there and is an idyllic escape for anyone wishing to spend time in the Keys.
Sugarloaf Women's Village
The Woods Camping Resort, Lehighton, PA
Pocono Mountain camping
Photo by photo nic on UnsplashNestled in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania, The Woods is a membership-only LGBTQ+ camping resort for the 18+ crowd. Book one of their campsites for tent camping or RV camping, or get cozy in one of their on-site cabins. The Woods offers many amenities, whether you stay for the weekend or the month. Hang in the clubhouse with friends, join in group activities on the lake, or check out the dance club when the sun goes down. The Woods is a great place to escape with friends or lovers or to meet new people.
The Woods Camping Resort
El Morro, Ramah, NM
Camping in New Mexico
Photo by Julia Karnavusha on UnsplashHigh in the mountains of New Mexico beneath a sacred mesa, El Morro is home to an RV park, campground, cabins, and highly rated cafe. Visit this campground to experience the healing energy of the land and connect to the past. Explore lava flows, prehistoric ruins, Native American arts and crafts, and red rock mesas. Bike, hike, paddle, eat, or just relax and soak in the splendors of nature. A popular destination for rock climbing, caving, and viewing wildlife, there are countless pastimes to keep you busy during your stay here. While not LGBTQ+ exclusive, El Morro is dedicated to providing a safe and inclusive space for everyone, specifically members of the LGBTQ+ community.
El Morro
Coastal Acres Campground, Provincetown, MA
Visiting Cape Cod
Photo by Abel Y Costa on UnsplashIf you are looking for the best in nature and in LGBTQ+ nightlife, check out Coastal Acres Campground in Provincetown, Maine. P-town has long been a popular LGBTQ+ destination, with rainbow-flag-lined streets, many queer-owned businesses, and plenty of themed nights and weekends. Within walking or biking distance to downtown Provincetown, Coastal Acres Campground offers tent and RV camping for the whole family, including your four-legged friends. Enjoy the beaches of Cape Cod and the culture of P-town during your stay here and take advantage of all of the campground amenities while you are at it.
Coastal Acres Campground
Find the best hikes with the best views!
The springtime has arrived, signaling the beginning of the prime hiking season. You might be ready to head back out into the great outdoors for your next big adventure, but what’s the best place to explore?
With so many amazing hiking trails across the vast and varied USA, it’s hard to figure out where to start. To help you out, we’ve put together our top choices for the best places to go hiking in the U.S.
Do you prefer rocky or grassy hikes?
Photo by Dmytro M.
From colorful rocky deserts to vibrant grassy hills, there are thousands of stunning settings for the best hiking trail in America. Each memorable destination offers unique and impressive views for every level of hiker, beginner or advanced. Although even easy trails might require you to bring hiking equipment along. If you need inspiration for your next hiking vacation, then read on to discover the 5 best places to go hiking in the U.S.
Calico Tanks Trail - Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, NV
A colorful hiking spot for all the family!
Photo by Ian M.
Red Rock Canyon is truly one of the best places to go hiking in the U.S. because of its vivid colors, ancient petroglyphs, and entertaining rock scrambling. Situated on the eastern edge of the Mojave Desert, Red Rock is characterized by the rusty shades of the Aztec Sandstone that forms the canyon and cliffs.
The Calico Tanks Trail is the best of Red Rock Canyon, with bold colors and an eventual vista overlooking Las Vegas. Along the Calico Tanks Trail, you will also find historic Native American sites, including an agave roasting pit. If the weather is not too dry you can find pools of water along your walk, which give Calico Tanks its name. The challenging segments of the trail are the fairly steep red sandstone steps and the rocky pathways where you might have to use your hands to scramble over the boulders.
Alternatively, kids and adults can both enjoy the ancient petroglyphs and cave art that can be viewed along the very short Petroglyph Wall Trail. More prehistoric writing can be seen along the 1-mile Children’s Discovery Trail along Lost Creek Canyon.
Hiking Facts
- Distance: 2.5 miles
- Elevation Gain: 400 ft
- Average Time: 1 hour
- Hiking Level: Intermediate
Clatsop Loop Trail - Ecola State Park, OR
A spectacular coastal hike!
Photo by Miguel A. S.
With forests and mountains that stretch along the Pacific shoreline, Ecola State Park draws in many hikers with its picturesque landscape. Known as a hotspot for the explorers of old, the green trees, rocky mountains, and sandy beaches are irresistible to the avid adventurer.
The Clatsop Loop Trail at Ecola is one of the best places to go hiking in the U.S. if you want a stunning coastal hike. This trail includes a steep but simple climb along the cliffs of Indian Point which can be quite muddy. You also get to see the beautiful Indian Beach and Bird Point. Most of the Clatsop Loop runs through vibrant forests around the towering Bald Mountain and there are many opportunities to stop and take in the natural scenery.
If you’re up for a more challenging hike, try out the Lewis and Clark Discovery Trail. Although the full 12-mile trail is not for everyone, a section of it runs through Ecola State Park. There is no better way to experience the beauty of America than to follow in the footsteps of the nation’s greatest explorers!
Hiking Facts
- Distance: 2.8 miles
- Elevation Gain: 785 ft
- Average Time: 2 hours
- Hiking Level: Beginner
Fairyland Loop - Bryce Canyon National Park, UT
A dramatic and memorable hike!
Photo by Digital A.
Utah’s remarkable Bryce Canyon National Park is famed for the unique rock formations that rise from the canyon floor. Shifting layers of reds and oranges cut across the rocky valley on the tall stalagmite-like stones. Named hoodoo, these spiky rocks draw in many visitors who come to see their fascinating shapes and colors.
The greatest hike around Bryce Canyon is the long Fairytale Loop. The trail begins by winding down the canyonside until it reaches the staggering hoodoos. Once you’re able to draw yourself away from the captivating stones, the route continues back up the canyon and along the ridge where you can see panoramic views of the park. The extraordinary hoodoo forest, set against a fiery landscape, makes Bryce Canyon one of the best places to go hiking in the U.S. for anyone seeking a dramatic change in scenery.
For a shorter walk with astonishing panoramas, take a hike from Sunset Point to Sunrise Point. This 1-mile trail leads you over Bryce Canyon Amphitheatre, where the best of the canyon’s intriguing rock formations can be seen.
Hiking Facts
- Distance: 8 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1700 ft
- Average Time: 4 hours
- Hiking Level: Intermediate
Saint Louis Canyon - Starved Rock State Park, IL
For a peaceful woodland hike!
Photo by Ryan H.
The Starved Rock State Park is one of the best places to go hiking in the U.S. for waterfall lovers. This Illinois park is famed for the many falls that flow into the various canyons that form the park. Far different from the desert canyons, Starved Rock is lush and green, with pleasant woodland hikes winding around mossy cliffs.
The nicest hike is the path to Saint Louis Canyon which leads you to a calm waterfall seeping into the cave-like canyon. The fresh, earthy smells and the sun-dappled trail make a perfect place to relax in nature. Birdwatchers can even enjoy the chance to spot a bald eagle. While the route is an easy one, it does involve a fair amount of stairs.
A longer and more scenic hike can be found on the Starved Rock and Sandstone Point Overlook Trail. This 4-mile hike leads to a natural vista that looks out over the Illinois River.
Hiking Facts
- Distance: 1.5 miles
- Elevation Gain: 154 ft
- Average Time: 1 hour
- Hiking Level: Beginner
Rocky Top Trail - Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN
For an endurance hike!
Photo by Cheryl B.
The Great Smoky Mountains cover the east of Tennessee and form part of the great Appalachian Trail. While that 2000-mile trail is a significant hike to take on, there are many shorter trails that run through the forested National Park.
Not a hike for beginners, the Rocky Top Trail is a test of fitness and endurance. The rewards are worth the effort as the highlight is a satisfying summit of Thunderhead Mountain. The entire trail features incredible views of the Great Smoky Mountains and the summit allows you a 360-degree look over the mountains and Fontana Lake. The Rocky Top Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains is one of the best places to go hiking in the U.S. for an all-day endurance hike.
If you’re visiting the Great Smoky Mountains and seeking a much shorter hiking route, try out the easy Laurel Falls Trail. This 2 ½-mile trail leads to the 80 ft Laurel Falls which pours down the mossy mountain rocks.
Hiking Facts
- Distance: 14 miles
- Elevation Gain: 3665 ft
- Average Time: 8 hours
- Hiking Level: Advanced
Why You Should Take Up Hiking
There are so many places to see that are not always accessible by vehicle. Hiking solves that problem. Not only do you get in some great cardio, you also get to take in the beauty nature and your surroundings have to offer. Take some food and drinks and make a day of it.