<strong>5 Campgrounds for Beer Lovers</strong>
There’s just something about a good beer after a long day of hiking that’s the perfect punctuation on a day spent outdoors. Whether you’re hiking through the summer sun or the crisp fall air, having a beer is the perfect reward for your efforts after the end of it all. Whether you prefer the hike or the beer (no right answer here), campgrounds for beer lovers combine the best of both worlds.
To create a list of must-visit campgrounds, we asked Founders Brewing Co. to pick their favorite campgrounds on Campspot that are perfect for beer enthusiasts. Read the full list to see where you should visit next.
Enter the Camping is Chill Giveaway
Camping is Chill Giveaway1. Detach Primitive Campground – Rockford, MI
You’ve probably never seen a primitive campground like this one! While a simple, unadulterated experience in nature, you’ll be staying in style. You’re sure to have a memorable stay with multiple stay options, including A-frames, yurts, and several tipi-style tents (along with a true primitive tent site).
Michigan is quickly becoming known nationwide as a craft brew hub, so you’ll want to take advantage of the state’s offerings. If you’re traveling north on US Highway 131, you can hit Founders Brewing Co, Perrin Brewing Company, then Rockford Brewing Company – a triple header of amazing Michigan craft beer before arriving at your campspot!
Nearest Airport: Gerald R. Ford International Airport, Capital Region International Airport
Nearby Attractions: Rockford Dam Overlook, Grand Rapids Public Museum, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Nearby Breweries
Founders Brewing Co.
Founders is a craft beer known the country over with a pair of taprooms in Detroit and Grand Rapids, Michigan. Focused on sustainability and the outdoor lifestyle, Founders Brewing is a stalwart pick among beer connoisseurs and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Founders routinely has some of the best beer in the US, with the All Day IPA and Breakfast Stout being continually popular options.
Perrin Brewing Company
One of the biggest draws of Perrin (besides its beer, of course) is the microbrewery it calls home. This classic, industrially-designed spot is spacious and inviting – perfect for catching up with friends over a pint. The No Rules Imperial Porter routinely gets high marks, but with an ABV equally high, you may want to designate a driver.
Rockford Brewing Company
Couldn’t make a list about beer near Rockford and leave out the hometown brewing co! Rockford’s taproom has a small-town vibe that fits the town of 6,300 like a glove. If the weather is warm, you can head to the outdoor patio, but make sure you order their Hoplust IPA if it’s on tap.
Visit this Michigan Craft Beer Basecamp
2. Boothbay Craft Brewery – Boothbay, ME
Why look for campgrounds near breweries when you could just camp at a brewery? A stop at Boothbay Craft Brewery is a must for travelers on their way to Acadia National Park. With comfort foods, live music, and a host of great beers all at your campsite, you might never want to leave!
The accommodations here are simple, with several RV sites to choose from and full hookups in certain sites. Even if you’re piloting a larger rig, Boothbay’s sites can hold up to 50-foot RVs.
Nearest Airport: Portland International Jetport, Bangor International Airport
Nearby Attractions: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, Railway Village Museum
Nearby Breweries
Boothbay Craft Brewery
Local and on-site. What’s not to love? Boothbay has really cornered the market on campgrounds for beer lovers. When you park your RV, head inside and order a Thirsty Botanist IPA, one of the best-loved beers offered here.
Footbridge Brewery
If you want to head somewhere many enthusiasts haven’t set foot, stop into this small batch brewery. With locally-sourced ingredients, these beers are varied and represent the local area well. The Fisherman’s Thumb New England IPA is the thing to get.
Visit this Combination Brewery and RV Stay
3. Sioux Bayou Landing RV Resort – Gautier, MS
If you liked the setup of Boothbay Craft Brewery, this spot should be on your travel list as well. While not a brewery, there is a bar on site where you can meet feel beer lovers, travelers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Named the Hideaway Bar, this under-the-radar spot makes you feel right at home, no matter what you’re ordering. We wouldn’t be mad if you called this place a BarV Resort. Get it, like RV resort? No? Fair enough.
Nearest Airport: Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, Pensacola International Airport
Nearby Attractions: Biloxi Lighthouse, Biloxi Shrimping Trip, Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge
Nearby Breweries
Fort Bayou Brewing Company
Just a short drive from Gautier is the newest microbrewery in the area. This small-town establishment is new to the game but is run by a head brewery with three decades worth of experience throughout the country. Because of this knowledge, you’ll find a wide variety of beer offerings here, so there’s something for every pallet. For fans of stouts, Fort Bayou has several worth your time.
4. Paradise by the Sea Beach RV Resort – Oceanside, CA
Any beer enthusiast in the Southern California region will ardently try to convince you that the craft beer scene started in Southern California. While Northern California residents argue it started in the Bay Area, their southern counterparts will argue that San Diego is the influential start of the craft beer movement.
Regardless of who’s right (if either), this RV resort has everything you could want for a relaxing, beer-based vacation. It sure isn’t called Paradise by the Sea for nothing! You’ll have a full suite of luxury amenities, but best of all, you’ll be near the beach and Stone Brewing Co. What more could you want?
Nearest Airport: San Diego International Airport, John Wayne Airport
Nearby Attractions: Carlsbad Village, Museum of Making Music, Oceanside Museum of Art
Nearby Breweries
Stone Brewing Co.
Stone is one of the biggest names in the craft beer scene. While it seems a craft brewery pops up every time someone tries to ironically grow a mustache, Stone has been at this since the mid-’90s. It’s one of the largest craft brews in the nation for a reason, and you can’t visit without trying some of their best-selling IPAs on tap.
Visit this Mecca of Craft Brewing
5. Crown Villa RV Resort – Bend, OR
When you’re in the Pacific Northwest, every campground is a campground for beer lovers, regardless of proximity to a brewery. Bend is hardly the exception. In fact, this increasingly popular Oregon city is almost the rule on its own. With long-standing brewery Deschutes in their backyard, Bend is a hotspot for beer and a four-season outdoor playground.
Crown Villa offers the perfect level of comfort for your journey. With several levels of RV site comfort, you can get exactly what you’re looking for. For those who made the journey bar car or plane, you’ll find the park model rental to your liking. Whatever you do, make sure to enjoy the full suite of clubhouse and resort amenities in between your hikes and bike rides.
Nearest Airport: Eugene Airport, Portland International Airport
Nearby Attractions: High Desert Museum, Deschutes National Forest, Drake Park
Nearby Breweries
Deschutes Brewery
Deschutes is everywhere, but there’s nothing quite like having it on tap on its home turf. It’s a rite of passage for any beer enthusiast heading toward Oregon to stop into Deschutes and grab a drink. Deschutes predates even craft brew giant stone, serving Oregonian beer since the late 1980s, so come take part in this decades-long tradition!
Let’s be real, everything here is good, and you’ve probably had plenty of it already. Consider this an opportunity to expand your pallet and try some of their more unique offerings.
Visit this Pacific Northwest Pit Stop
While often associated with Colorado or the Pacific Northwest, great beer is spread all throughout the US. Whether you’re on a beer pilgrimage or just looking to spend some time outdoors, campgrounds for beer lovers make the perfect place to spend your nights.
Sure, all campgrounds are campgrounds near breweries if you’re dedicated enough, but why waste time on the commute?
Joe Coleman is a freelance travel and outdoor writer based in East Texas. His love for the outdoors started when living near Olympic National Park and has stayed with him ever since. Taking a respite from social media, you can reach him exclusively at joecolemanfreelance@gmail.com.