Home » Outdoor & Recreation » Camping » Our Western Mountains: Spectacular Family Camping

Our Western Mountains: Spectacular Family Camping

© Thomas Stephens Sr.

The majestic mountains of western America offer some of the best family camping to be had. From the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Coastal Chain, the west possesses a cornucopia of National and State Parks and Forests. Don't get me wrong, the east has some great mountain camping. We have camped in the Great Smokey Mountains, Shenandoah National Park and a few other Appalachian campgrounds. All are beautiful parks with good campgrounds and many scenic wonders. But, if you enjoy high-altitude camping with relative ease of access, the western mountains can't be matched!

Camping in the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho

Recently I was asked the question, what is so special about mountain camping that is so different from camping elsewhere? Well, I can not attempt to explain in simple words, but one visit to the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, Idaho, should quickly answer the inquiry. Located in south central Idaho amid the beautiful Sawtooth Mountains, it is a wonderland of camping pleasures. The scenic Salmon River originates here at an altitude of over 8,000 feet, and, as the area name implies, outdoor recreation is plentiful. Fishing, camping, hiking and whitewater rafting are but some of the options for visitors. We set up in the campground on Redfish Outlet Lake and simply enjoyed being there! With an unobstructed view of the whitecapped mountains across the lake and a comfortable lawn chair, nothing more was needed. The small town of Stanley is near by, and its old western shops are fun to browse. If you're into photography, then you are in heaven.

Washington's Olympic Mountains

The Olympic National Park, situated northwest of Seattle, Washington, is another fine case in point. An amazing and diverse mountain chain, the Olympic Mountains have glacier-covered peaks, gorgeous glacial lakes, hot springs and the Hoh Rain Forest to boot! It has a unique climate, and nature is displayed in fascinating ways. On a trip this spring, we camped a few days in the amazing Hoh Rain Forest area, then moved north to a nice campground at Crescent Lake. We were thrilled with both areas, so different in nature, but Crescent Lake stole my heart. It is one of the most beautiful lakes I have ever seen! We camped at the Log Cabin Resort (NPS) campground, and were right on the lakeshore. In the afternoons, we watched in awe as foggy clouds rolled in off the Pacific and shrouded the pine-covered mountains in white puffy blankets. The drive up Hurricane Ridge was an unforgettable trip with beauty beyond belief. Camping in the Olympic Mountains is special, but you must experience it to really understand how special it is.

The copyright of the article Our Western Mountains: Spectacular Family Camping in Camping is owned by . Permission to republish Our Western Mountains: Spectacular Family Camping in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.