If you've ever stared at a map of the American West wondering where to pitch a tent next, Sunset's camping section does the legwork for you. The magazine's camping hub gathers years of field-tested reporting into one place, and the headline piece asks people who actually camp there to name the region's best campsites — a crowd-sourced shortlist that skips the obvious postcard spots in favour of places with genuine word-of-mouth cred among regulars.
The coverage is broad. Beyond the campsite rankings, Sunset's editors test and recommend tents for every style of camper — backyard first-timers, families planning a whole summer at the campground, and even the tree-tent crowd who prefer sleeping suspended between trunks. There's gear guidance for bringing the dog along, honest reviews of hiking shoes that go beyond comfort, and quick practical explainers: the fastest way to deflate a sleeping pad, how to revive trashed hiking boots, and why a humble bandana might be the most versatile tool in your pack.
For travellers who like their outdoors with more thread count, the section tracks the rise of high-end camping in the West. Under Canvas — the Airstream-adjacent collective known for glamping near national parks — has launched ULUM, its most extravagant brand yet, with new parks-centric programming. Sunset also notes the blurring line between hotels and glamping, as resorts add outdoor amenities and hotels partner with the wilds next door. On the more grounded end, many of the recommended sites bookable through Hipcamp are right there in the Western states, and a handful near Northern California — within easy reach of San Francisco — are popular enough that the advice is to set booking alerts.
There's a ranch-luxe angle too: Few & Far offers bespoke stays that lean into the rhythm of ranch life and travelling lightly on the land. For RV families, a crew of road-tested experts share their favourite kid-friendly spots from Oregon to Montana.
Who is this for? Anyone planning a Western US outdoors trip, really — the section works equally well as inspiration browsing or as a gear checklist before a trip. Use it to build a shortlist of campsites worth booking alerts, figure out which tent and kit actually earn their space in the car, or decide whether your next national-park trip deserves a luxury canvas upgrade. One note for would-be campers in California: Sunset's reporting also flags that one of the state's most famous regions and its historic institutions are currently at risk, so check current conditions before you go.
