Hipcamp's Guide to Camping Out West

Hello Earth! Thank you for Crater Lake. Photo by Julian Bialowas. The best grounds in the west for pitching a tent, skinny dipping, tree hugging, kicking back and truly enjoying the great outdoors.

By Julie Murrell for Fathom | Nature-lovers, outdoorsmen and novice campers alike will appreciate Hipcamp 's discovery platform for awesome campsites around the United States. (California, Texas and Florida are covered; they're tackling Washington next.) We asked the kind folks there to round up some of their very favorite grounds for pitching tents and kicking back in the great outdoors.

US WEST – There's no better place to experience nature in all its glory than on the west coast. At Hipcamp , we simplify the process of discovering and booking campsites, and along the way we've come across a heck-of-a-lot of awesome natural wonders that are too good not to share.

As we gear up to launch in Washington State, we put together this accessible guide for first-time travelers and experienced expeditionists to experience the best of the west in all its glory. You don't need much more than Mother Nature to get the job done. Read our list, make your own, and get outside already.

Take a look at Travertine Hot Springs. Photo courtesy of Hipcamp.

The Skinny on Skinny Dipping

Travertine Hot Springs , Bridgeport, California

Be prepared for a crowd of birthday suits. A five-tub conglomeration about an hour away from Yosemite National Park, these hot springs make an excellent and relaxing finale to a long weekend of adventuring in the park. Hot tip: Sulfuric mud at the bottom of these pools is great for the skin.

Bagby Hot Springs , Estacada, Oregon

The Bagby Hot Springs are a one-of-a-kind hot-tubbin' oasis set deep in the Mt. Hood National Forest. Naturalists, flower children and people looking to explore their wild side are all welcome for a soak at this clothing optional, 24-hour paradise.

Olympic Hot Springs , Port Angeles, Washington

A hike to the Olympic Hot Springs is a 2.5-mile trek from the trailhead during warmer months and can be upwards of 6.5 miles during the winter — but what's a few extra miles when your destination is a hot-n-steamy place to kick back and soak? An oasis in Olympic National Park, there's not one but a group of five pools. Indulge in a warm dip while contemplating the meaning of life.

Just Dune It

Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area , Florence, Oregon

Hit up the Sand Master Park in Florence, Oregon and rent a sandboard for a nominal fee. Then hit up nearby Jessie M. Honeyman Campground in Florence to shred some serious sand. Places to camp for the night along the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area stretch a wide 40 miles.

Through the looking glass at Mirror Lake. Photo courtesy of Hipcamp.

Lakes For Days

Mirror Lake , Yosemite National Park, California

Situated directly between North Dome and Half Dome in Yosemite National Park, Mirror Lake is the last remaining evidence of a large glacial lake that once filled most of Yosemite Valley at the end of the Ice Age. It's close to disappearing due to increasing sediment. For off-the-charts epic points, string up a hammock as you take in the sights of Yosemite's mirrored giants.

Lake Tahoe , Tahoe National Forest, California

Backcountry and blackjack, bears and boating, skiing in the Sierras. Lake Tahoe in the Tahoe National Forest is a large freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevadas and a playground for adventurers of all types. Heck, you can even go on a brewery adventure to Tahoe Mountain Brewing Co. !

Crater Lake National Park , Oregon

Oregon's only national park offers hikes from snowy heights to lakeside rims, cruises around Wizard Island, swimming in water as blue as Brad Pitt's eyes and the opportunity to backpack 33 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail. No matter your reason, Crater Lake is an unmissable earthly anomaly in Southern Oregon's Cascade Mountain range and inspires visitors with starry skies, diverse wildlife, unforgettable landscapes and the strong sense of being small in the midst of something grand.

The mighty Sequoias. Photo by Julian Bialowas.

Tree-Hugger's Paradise

Giant Sequoias at Sequoia National Park , California

The General Sherman Tree is the largest tree in the world! Mic drop. Come here for a good ol' dose of history. Don't forget to pick up a rad patch at the Giant Forest Museum.

Joshua Trees at Joshua Tree National Park , California

The terrain is otherworldly with bulbous Joshua trees and massive boulders that look like cameos from a Dr. Seuss story. The rock climbing here is legendary (and notoriously rough on the hands and gear) as is the night sky, which is dark and clear enough to catch a glimpse of the Milky Way. Check out Howling at the Moon: A Joshua Tree Camping Experience on the Hipcamp Journal for an overview of a day in the park with these wacky trees.

Giant Redwoods at Calaveras Big Trees State Park , California

You may need a group to sufficiently hug a redwood tree. The largest one in Calaveras Big Trees State Park is the Louis Agassiz, located in the South Grove. Are you ready for this? The tree is 250 feet tall and over 25 feet in diameter! Get ready to give your friends a serious case of forest FOMO.

Read more on Fathom: America's 50 States of Summer Guide 2015 , 9 Steps to Hiking in Style , Camping Essentials Everyone Always Forgets

Julie is the Content Manager at Hipcamp . She lives in San Francisco and is passionate about community building and bloody Marys. Follow her adventures @jollymurrell on Instagram. She travels to find places that put her out of her comfort zone.