There are so many rewarding feelings associated with pitching your tent in the wilderness and spending the night beneath the stars. And worldwide adventures like this are a ballgame of their own. Whether you fancy finding an idyllic coastal campsite or escaping to the remotest of mountainsides, there are so many breathtaking options to choose from.

From the United States to South Africa, this article provides our 9 top picks of camping destinations for your next worldwide adventure. Our list covers all the possibilities, from secluded beaches and majestic mountaintops to luxury glamming and peaceful woodland retreats. Each option provides life-changing experiences you could only dream about.

When done in a certain way, bushcraft can really be something majestic. So sit tight and browse through our recommendations for 9 epic camping destinations around the globe.

1. Yosemite National Park, California, USA

Yosemite National Park is one of America’s most iconic attractions. It boasts myriads of captivating waterfalls, mysterious sky-grazing sequoias, subalpine wilderness zones, gemstone-hued lakes, and granite cliffs.

From the moment you set foot into Yosemite, it dazzles. May, June, and September are particularly popular months for camping, owing to the Park’s perfect blue skies and welcoming temperatures. Also, May and June have the best peak of waterfalls.

In winter, you should make arrangements to bring snow blankets on your trip. The winter hosts the smallest crowds—but such an experience also has its own magic. In mid-to-late February, for instance, the Horsetail Fall waterfall looks as though it’s glowing with fire as the sun’s going down.

What’s more, the park has incredibly diverse landscapes and supports over 400 species of birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and more. One such rare animal that you will see in Yosemite is the Sierra Nevada red fox. It roams the high elevations of California’s Sierra Nevada.

The Yosemite National Park is also home to one of the tallest waterfalls in the world—the Yosemite Falls—which reaches over 2,400 feet. It also has three separate falls which include the upper fall, the middle cascade, and the lower fall. And, so wonderfully, you can see them from numerous points around Yosemite Valley. Millions of visitors from around the world visit to see this great wonder.

At night, the wonders of Yosemite don’t cease. Yosemite is also one of the few places where you can see a rainbow at night; the waterfall mists and aqua-light effects create lunar rainbows or moonbows at night time. This epic visibility is pure magic to behold. Only a few people know about this effect.

At all times of the year, the creeks can change. The spring introduces high water flow over the falls and the night temperatures freeze the waters. As the falls freeze, this produces a flow down along the creeks and the residual giant Slurpee which surges like a snowy mass of icy water.

For many years now, Yosemite’s diverse landmarks have been taking visitors’ breath away. It’s now time for you to carve out a visit to this legendary magical place.

2. Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

This national treasure is located in the Canadian Rockies and boasts jaw-dropping beauty. The Banff National Park is home to snow-capped mountains, fascinating wildlife, and also houses sparkling lakes.

There is easy access to outdoor adventures here, from the vibrant lakes and majestic mountains to the vast terrain filled with the wilderness of wild animals. You can explore the spectacular valleys, discover the rugged peaks, and also immerse yourself in the vibrant arts and culture of the scenes.

The Park has over 2,400 campsites, hence you won’t run out of adventurous retreats. It also has an excess of 1,000 glaciers and more than 1,600km of hiking trails.

The highest mountain here is Mount Forbes which stands at over 11,800 feet. You will get an incredible view up the sulfur mountain, after which you can move down to see the biggest man-made lake, Lake Minnewanka. You can also play golf there and explore the inner forests. From Lake Minnewanka to the Park’s other lakes, the Banff lakes are bright blue because of the glaciers. It’s such a beautiful sight.

If that weren’t enough, the Banff National Park has caves—including Canada’s longest cave. The Limestone Castleguard cave stretches more than 66,700 feet. It is also one of the deepest caves in the country and the world.

The Banff National Park is a wonderful combination of man-made and natural magic put together. During the summer, your best outdoor activities would be biking, hiking, and other bushcraft activities. In the winter, there is skiing as well as cozy lodges built inside the forests for rest.

Also: If you have an interest in wildlife, Banff is home to the endangered caribou. The woodland caribou is a type of deer known as the reindeer. What a unique experience seeing this creature would be…

3. Torres del Paine National Park, Patagonia, Chile

The Torres del Paine Park encircles ancient forests, fjords, rivers, lakes, and wonderful glaciers. The main attractions of this park are Cordillera del Paine, Grey Glacier, French Valley, and Los Cuernos.

The Cordillera del Paine is a small but spectacular set of mountains referred to as the ‘towers of Paine’. These three gigantic granite monoliths are even a UNESCO-declared biosphere reserve. Los Cuernos, meaning the Horns, is an outcropping granite peak whose peculiarity comes from the shape and coloring, which are uniquely visible from almost all viewpoints in the Torres del Paine National Park.

Another landmark feature, the Grey Glacier, is the second-largest contiguous ice field in the world. It is a massive natural ice construction and breathes stunning, unparalleled natural beauty. This glacier flows south into the Grey Lake.

Walking through the fields, the Torres del Paine also has several thousands of mini-ecosystems, each of which has a wealth of flora, fauna, and landscapes that can’t be seen anywhere else in the world.

Birdlife is abundant—with over 115 species including crested caracara, black vulture, black-chested buzzard eagle, and others. The Torres del Paine National Park also hosts a plethora of vegetation not seen elsewhere. There are at least 10 species of orchid, as well as Antarctic beech trees, shrubs, tufts, grasses, and other unique plants that are resistant to harsh winds and weather.

Recently, scientists uncovered fossils of around 46 ancient specimens in the Torres del Paine National Park. These skeletons belonged to dolphin-like creatures who inhabited the Earth between 90 and 250 million years ago (called Ichthyosaurs).

Whether it’s the history or its present-day beauty, Torres del Paine has attractions that can be explored all year round. The Park is open all year round for a wonderful camping adventure.

4. Kruger National Park, South Africa

The main reason to visit this Park would be to see the animals. Kruger will never let you down. Although wildlife is the main thing in Kruger National Park, the tourist attractions also extend to golf, museums, traditional dances, and aquatic explorations.

Kruger offers you an experience that cuts across a vast variety of species of wildlife, comprising (but not limited to) over 140 species of mammals over 500 species of bird, over 110 reptile species, over 30 amphibians, and over 50 types of fish.

The most sought-after animals in Kruger are lions, elephants, buffalo, rhinos, and leopards. Even if your adventure is just for a day or two, you can be assured that you’ll see at least elephants and buffalo at some point. Rhinos and lions, meanwhile, are elusive—but with luck, you will catch a glimpse of them, and maybe even a leopard too. It’s also worth seeing at least one bird nest; their architecture will amaze you.

The Kruger National Park also has flora attractions and there are over 330 different species of forest trees. These landmark trees are mainly located in the southernmost part of the Park. These trees grew naturally and weren’t planted by humans.

Moreover, the dams and lakes which encircle the park are a fantastic view to behold. You can easily sit and watch animals without disturbing them in their natural habitat. There are museums too, where you can see the skeletons and skulls of some magnificent animals—many of whose archaeological remains date back centuries.

At the Kruger National Park, your camping experience includes (but is not limited to) hiking, walking trails, game drives, longer driving adventures in the wilderness, and other safari treks in the open bush. You should bring camping equipment that can last many days, because you might spend a while visiting all the different sights.

All in all, visiting the Kruger National Park will leave you in awe; the diversity and sheer amount of wild animals here are unimaginable by any standards. The climate is hot, subtropical, and also has some periods of fall and pure summer. You are sure to have an amazing experience surrounded by nature in its purest form.

5. Great Barrier Reef, Australia

The Great Barrier Reef can be enjoyed by air, boat, diving, and even through the deepest seafloors. This place is home to an incredible diversity of species and houses the world’s largest reef system. There are over 30 species of whale, dolphin, and porpoise, over 6 species of turtles, around 15 sea snake species, and over 1,500 types of fish. Over 10% of all world fish species are to be found in the Great Barrier Reef.

At this reef, corals are formed by tiny creatures called polyps. These corals are alive and you can see them reveal their tentacles for attacks or defense. It’s a truly fascinating sight.

Although the reefs may look young due to the serenity of the fresh waters, the Great Barrier Reef is millions of years old. Some of the corals have been estimated to be more than 20 million years old. In fact, some prehistoric creatures still live here and you may be lucky to see the alien-like nautilus—a species dating back 500 million years. These creatures are uniquely strange and stunning. Make sure to bring your camera…

Finally, you can explore other non-aquatic activities at the Great Barrier Reef. It’s a site of scientific interest, geographic wonder, and remarkable variety. You’ll be glad you visited.

6. Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal

This Sagarmatha Park is home to Mount Everest, the highest peak on Earth. Besides the dramatic mountains, Sagarmatha is also home to Himalayan glaciers, high-altitude lakes, deep valleys of rugged terrains, and amazing landscapes for camping experiences.

The climates are subtropical in the lower altitudes and dry and cold at the higher altitudes. There are general periods of rainfall followed by periods of freezing points and spring.

As you explore the exterior, you will get to see zones of juniper, birch, blue pines, firs, bamboo, and rhododendron, as well as dwarf shrub fields. The fauna of the Sagarmatha National Park is amazing.

There are also some special rare species preserved here. Himalayan wolves, musk deer, Himalayan black bear, red pandas, and snow leopards are some of the endangered animal species which can be seen in Sagarmatha.

What is more, trekking along the Everest Base camps is an experience on its own. You can also go on a helicopter tour, touch down on the conserved forest, visit the Gokyo lakes and explore the forest to see some of the rare protected birds like Impeyan pheasants and crimson horned pheasants.

Exploring the Sagarmatha is breathtaking due to its dramatic mountains, glaciers, deep valleys, rare species, and other further forest interests you might see along the way. Being at the highest peak of the Earth is something worth experiencing, isn’t it?

7. The Highlands, Scotland

The Highlands of Scotland possess mystic wild scenery, majestic mountains, and blissful seclusions—not to mention renown from being featured in iconic television series and movies. The likes of Harry Potter and the Outlander series have beamed global audiences to the scenery of the Scottish Highlands.

There are some places you won’t want to miss, including Loch Ness, the West Highland line of Glenfinnan, Eilean Donan Castle, River Lochy Falls, and Ben Nevis.

The Isle of Skye is another fantasy-like landscape you won’t see anywhere else in the world. The scenery and stunning tropical beaches can be described as an adventure, mystery, and endless countryside.

The Highlands also have a lot to offer for mountain climbers and there are naturally rejuvenating rest stops you can relax in, from freshwater lakes down to medieval castles. The picturesque nature of the Highlands is incredible—almost otherworldly.

The most majestic thing about these locations is that they are packed with ancient and modern histories, balanced by the region’s capital city of Inverness. The region is also replete with museums and art galleries to explore.

Without a doubt, the Highlands have so much to see that even a 6-month stay will still be full of activity and discovery.

8. Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia

From the get-go, the Plitvice Lakes National Park offers breathtaking landscapes which span over 73,000 acres.

There are limestone cliffs adorned with cascading waterfalls, miles of wooden boardwalks suspended by crystal-clear turquoise waters, and magnificent views of layered forests which will fill you with a feeling of natural mystery and rich history.

In addition, there is a color-changing lake—from crystal clear turquoise to indigo, green, and even dark gray or blue.

You won’t get bored at this National Park. Besides the aforementioned, there are more than 100 natural caves to choose from and numerous pits to explore. You can also see endangered animal species roaming the terrain, as well as aquatic animals in abundance. The Plitvice has a lot of biodiversity, so you won’t be limited to hiking alone.

Popular pursuits in the Plitvice Lakes National Park include forest cycling tours, trails, walking tours, narrower hikes, and boat rides on the densely vegetated lakes. Wherever you go, the 300+ species of butterfly give a feeling of total peace and tranquility.

The historic heritage and flora of the Lakes make it an experience to never forget.

9. The Amazon Rainforest, Brazil

The Amazon is possibly the most fascinating place on earth as the size, ecosystem, and features of this place are yet to be fully comprehended.

You can see the lungs of the earth here; the Rainforest is responsible for 20% of the world’s oxygen. The Amazon is also home to a variety of plants, trees, animals, and humans—some yet to be discovered.

The geography of the Amazon Rainforest spans 9 different countries. It is the world’s highest rainforest area and has over a billion acres of forest.

Not to mention the Amazon River, which is found in the Amazon forest. It is the largest global river by volume and supplies millions of insects, plants, fish, mammals, birds, and other diverse creatures lurking on the forest floor.

Just as it is lovely, the Amazon Rainforest is home to some deadly creatures including poisonous frogs, jaguars, flesh-eating piranhas, venomous snakes, and aggressive carnivores. If you’re after a more nail-biting bushcraft adventure, this is your place.

Ultimately, the Amazon rainforest is the crème de la crème of bushcraft; it is challenging, mysterious, and breathtaking. There’s a reason it’s one of the most written about, and most studied, natural wonders of the world.

Conclusion

Camping in your backyard may seem intriguing—but these 9 worldwide camping destinations provide an epic experience like no other. Picture beaches, mountains, highlands, wildlife, woods, canyons, and numerous associated activities; the possibilities are endless whether camping, bushcrafting, or backpacking– the wilderness is your playground.

If you are lucky enough to have the opportunity, make sure you try one of our recommended 9 epic destinations. It’ll be the most memorable of experiences.