As the birthday for the United States, July 4 is a popular day for celebration. Whether it's an all day party in the mountains or a full-blown week of events in a city, the following places should top any camper's list for campgrounds to visit during the holiday.
Plan a Trip to Boston Harbor Islands
The Boston Harbor Islands offer three islands with rustic camping. Grape Island and Bumpkin Island both host 10 campsites able to accommodate up to four people per site. On Lovells Island, campers will find three sites also able to accommodate up to four people per site. With rustic camping, individuals should expect to carry in everything they need for the trip. The islands do not have flush toilets, supplies, showers, electricity, or fresh water; however, they do offer a view of downtown Boston. To get to the campgrounds, you'll need to take the ferry.
According to ShermansTravel and MSNBC, Boston is the best place for celebrating the Fourth of July. The city kicks off its party with Boston Harborfest, a week-long celebration featuring over 200 events, which include the following ones:
- In honor of the city's role in U.S. history, visitors can enjoy events like the reading of the Declaration of Independence.
- The firework display is one of the best in the nation and is set to the Boston Pop's live concert.
- Visitors can participate in the Boston Chowderfest, an event designed to determine the best clam chowder at the celebration.
Enjoy Three Nights of Fireworks in Chicago
If rustic camping isn't a camper's cup of tea, he or she might want to consider Chicago's Northwest KOA, which is the closest KOA to both Chicago and O'Hare airport. The facility has a swimming pool and wireless Internet available for guests. It also accommodates a variety of camping styles including tent camping and RV camping.
During the Fourth of July, the Windy City lights up the sky with fireworks three nights in a row. On July 4th, the main firework display takes place at the Navy Pier with the waters of Lake Michigan reflecting the show. Throughout the day, visitors to the area can enjoy free concerts hosted at venues like the Navy Pier Beer Garden or Petrillo Music Shell.
Celebrate July 4 at Mt. Rushmore
Kemp's Kamp is a campground located just five minutes away from Mount Rushmore. Its setting in Battle Creek Canyon places it in the heart of the Black Hills. Ponderosa pines surround the facility, providing a natural setting for a campground facility offering a variety of accommodations. Guests can rent a cabin or tent camp. Kemp's Kamp also has campsites for RVs.
While many lists, including ShermansTravel's, include Mt. Rushmore as a prime destination for the Fourth of July, campers interested in the festivities hosted at the national monument will want to check the park's website for updates. In 2010, the park canceled its firework display, which typically occurs on July 3, as part of the state's effort to reduce human-caused risk to the area. Regardless of whether or not fireworks light up the sky, the park will always host a variety of events in honor of the celebration.
Take Advantage of Other Camping Resources
For campers who would like more information on areas hosting recognized Fourth of July activities, MSNBC offers a top-ten list. TripleBlaze offers a list of the top 100 campgrounds in the US based on reviews and popularity. Campers may also want to compare national park campgrounds like Denali to ones close to major July 4th celebrations. It's also a good idea for travelers to make reservations for campsites and to know what type of camping equipment to take along.
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Tara McClendon - Tara McClendon is a Texas-based freelance writer and editor. Aside from writing for Suite101, Tara is currently working on a YA novel ...
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