Can’t Miss Campgrounds for National Get Outdoors Day
This article is part of Verizon’s Hidden Gems Of The West content series.
National Get Outdoors Day on June 14th is an annual reminder that human beings weren’t meant to spend our lives in cubicles. Wherever you live, there’s great options to get outside near Las Vegas, Denver, and Salt Lake City. These cities are easy and affordable to fly into, and are the perfect jumping off point for your next adventure – especially with spectacular camping opportunities within a short drive of the airport. Can’t get away because of work? Well, if you have Verizon, you don’t have an excuse because satellite text messaging allows you to stay connected anywhere, anytime. Here’s a few suggestions on where to pitch your tent.
Las Vegas Area Escapes
Valley of Fire State Park Campgrounds
Just an hour from the bright lights and sounds of slot machines and a world away from the Las Vegas strip lies the sandstone wonderland of Valley of Fire. You can make reservations at the campground’s Arch Rock and Atlatl Rock sites or test your luck and try to get one first-come, first-served sites (nature’s version of gambling, but with significantly better odds). While you’re exploring ancient petrified trees and petroglyphs, thanks to Verizon you can text the photos to everyone whom you want to make jealous. (Those work texts, however, you can righteously ignore.)
Fletcher View Campground, Mt. Charleston
When Las Vegas temperatures have you longing for a retreat, Fletcher View Campground in the Spring Mountains offers a refreshing alpine getaway at 7,000 feet elevation. With sites nestled among ponderosa pines, this is where Las Vegans go to remember what trees look like. Several sites remain first-come, first-served, with availability often extending into June weekends but arriving before Friday afternoon is highly recommended.
Denver Area Escapes
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Just 30 minutes from Denver, Golden Gate Canyon offers aspen groves, meadows filled with wildflowers, and mountain views so beautiful, you won’t believe it’s so close to the city. While many sites can be reserved, the park maintains a selection of first-come, first-served options that often have availability even on summer weekends—though be prepared for a night in the Walmart parking lot if you arrive later than Thursday.
Buffalo Creek Recreation Area
Mountain bikers and anglers flock to Buffalo Creek for its world-class singletrack and South Platte River fishing. Just an hour from Denver, its popularity means the fish are consequently smarter than most, but you can usually secure a spot in the first-come, first-served dispersed camping area if you get there by Thursday, even during summer weekends. Reservable campgrounds are also available nearby, if you get your act together in time to book one.
Salt Lake City Escapes
Spruces Campground, Big Cottonwood Canyon
Just 15 miles from downtown Salt Lake City, Spruces Campground provides a quick escape from the city for visitors and locals alike. Situated up Big Cottonwood Canyon in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Spruces is known for its views of the surrounding peaks. Nearby hiking and biking trails and streams offer options for all. Several sites are held for first-come, first-served campers, with Thursday arrival recommended for weekend stays. The area gets fairly good cell phone reception, but if you have Verizon, you’ll be connected whenever you want to be.
Tanner’s Flat Campground, Little Cottonwood Canyon
Just a few miles from Snowbird up the famed Little Cottonwood Canyon, Tanner’s Flat is a gorgeous campground in a shaded forest of trees. An ideal home base for exploring the area’s embarrassment of outdoor riches, it’s an easy adventure for those who want to spend more time on the trails and less time in the car. Little Cottonwood Creek runs right by it, too, and there are all the typical campground amenities. No pets allowed, due to the proximity to the creek. Make reservations in advance or try your luck with the first-come, first-served spots.
With these recommendations—and Verizon’s satellite connectivity—you’ll be able to explore this National Get Outdoors Day with confidence. A weekend full of time spent reconnecting with friends and family in nature while knowing the outside world is only a text message away. Cheers to getting outside!
The Dyrt is the only camping app with all of the public and private campgrounds, RV parks, and free camping locations in the United States. Download now for iOS and Android.
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