There are many fun and exciting campgrounds that families can visit to enjoy their time together. There are so many different types of camping experiences, but these ones are ideal for families because they have plenty to do, activities for everyone in the family, and most importantly: lots of entertainment for young children who may not be comfortable sleeping outside yet.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Planning and preparation are key to a successful family camping trip. |
| Researching the amenities, activities, and nearby attractions can help you choose the right campground for your family. |
| Bringing along essential camping gear, such as a tent, sleeping bags, and cooking utensils, can make your trip more comfortable. |
| There are many fun and entertaining activities for kids to enjoy while camping, including hiking, fishing, and campfires. |
| Taking precautions, such as staying on designated trails and avoiding wild animals, is essential for keeping your family safe while camping. |
Big Bend National Park, Texas
If you’re looking for a place to pitch your tent with the kids, Big Bend is one of the best. The park’s location in the Chihuahuan Desert means it’s hot and dry, but also full of wildlife—lions and tigers and bears (and lots of other animals).
There are several campgrounds within the national park itself, each offering different amenities such as RV hookups or tent sites with electricity.
The most popular one is Rio Grande Village Campground, which has both electric and non-electric campsites as well as cabins that sleep up to six people.
The best time to visit Big Bend National Park is between October and April; during these months temperatures range in the 60s during daytime hours but drop into the 30s at night.
If you want your trip to be budget-friendly (and who doesn’t?), plan for no more than two nights: according to REI’s Backpacker Index™ which takes into account average hotel prices along with cost per day spent on food a two-night stay will cost an estimated $206 per person ($103 if diesel fuel costs $2/gallon)
Camping with kids can be a challenging but rewarding experience. Our article on the ultimate guide to camping with kids in the USA provides expert tips and tricks for making your family camping trip stress-free and enjoyable!
Blackwoods Campground, Maine
Location: Blackwoods Campground, Maine
Amenities: The park has a camp store, playground, pool and basketball court. There’s also a hiking trail that leads to Cadillac Mountain. From there you’ll be able to see the sunrise first-hand—and it’s worth getting up early for!
Cost: The cost for overnight stays ranges from $90-$250 per night depending on the season (it gets more expensive as summer approaches).
Children under six stay free with paying adults; and those older than six can stay free if they share their parents’ site.
Top Family-Friendly Campgrounds in Maine
| Campground | Description |
|---|---|
| Blackwoods Campground | Located in Acadia National Park, Blackwoods Campground is a picturesque camping spot surrounded by forests and offers various recreational activities for families such as hiking, biking and wildlife watching. There are also nearby family-friendly attractions to explore like the L.L. Bean Factory Store, where children can make their own map of Acadia. |
| Loon’s Haven Family Campground | Loon’s Haven Family Campground is situated on the Yarmouth River and offers numerous outdoor activities for families, including boating, fishing, kayaking, as well as hiking and biking trails. Kids will love their playground and the chance to see the camp’s resident goats. |
| Poland Spring Campground | Located in the heart of the Maine Lakes Region, Poland Spring Campground offers a unique family-camping experience with a range of outdoor activities such as swimming, fishing and kayaking on Lower Range Pond. The campground has paddle boat rentals and a large playground to keep kids entertained. |
| Sebago Lake State Park | Sebago Lake State Park is known for its pristine beauty and stunning sunsets and features a sandy beach and picnic areas, as well as hiking and biking trails. It’s an ideal spot to enjoy a peaceful, relaxing nature getaway with family. |
| Sagadahoc Bay Campground | Sagadahoc Bay Campground is a quiet family-run spot on the coast of Maine. Kids will love collecting sea glass and exploring the playground, while families can enjoy swimming or paddling in the bay. The campground also provides easy access to nearby beaches and hiking trails. |
Camp 4, California
Camp 4 is located in Yosemite National Park, which means it’s open year-round. The campsites are perfect for tent camping or those who want to bring their RVs. The campground has a store and restaurant on site, as well as a pool, playground and hiking trails.
Family camping trips can be a great bonding experience if planned correctly. Our article on camping with kids: expert tips and tricks for a stress-free trip offers insights into how to make your family camping trip a memorable experience for everyone.
Cape Lookout State Park, Oregon
Location: Cape Lookout State Park is located on the southwestern coast of Oregon, just north of Tillamook.
Type: Campground type: Tent camping, RV camping (no hookups), Group tent camping
Facilities: Restrooms with flush toilets and hot showers; drinking water; dump station; picnic tables; grills and fire rings in both campgrounds
Amenities: A six-mile network of hiking trails winds through wooded areas, passes beaches with tide pools, overlooks pristine waterfalls and offers excellent views of the Pacific Ocean. The park also has an oceanfront campground that can accommodate RVs up to 40 feet in length.
Location: Cape Lookout is situated between Tillamook Bay and Pacific Coast Highway 101 on Umpqua Lighthouse Road
Top Family-Friendly Campgrounds in Oregon
| Campground | Description |
|---|---|
| Cape Lookout State Park | Located near Tillamook Bay in the Pacific Northwest, Cape Lookout State Park offers stunning views of the ocean and plenty of outdoor activities for families such as beachcombing and hiking. The park has a playground, an outdoor amphitheater, and multiple picnic areas for family fun. |
| Sunriver Resort | Sunriver Resort is a popular family-friendly resort that offers a range of indoor and outdoor activities, including golfing, horseback riding, kayaking, and hiking. The resort also has a year-round aquatic center with swimming pools, hot tubs, and a waterslide for family fun. |
| Wallowa Lake State Park | Wallowa Lake State Park is located in Northeast Oregon and offers breathtaking views of the Wallowa Mountains. Apart from hiking and biking, the park offers canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboat rentals for fun-filled family adventures. There are also multiple picnic areas and a playground. |
| Pacific City RV & Camping Resort | Pacific City RV & Camping Resort is a family-friendly spot located on the northern Oregon coast, near Cape Kiwanda. The resort boasts various recreational activities for families, including biking, hiking, fishing, and sandboarding. There is also a playground and a swimming pool to keep kids entertained. |
| Lakedale Resort at Three Lakes | Located in the San Juan Islands on Orcas Island in Washington, the Lakedale Resort at Three Lakes provides a unique family camping experience. Apart from traditional camping, there are also glamping options, along with outdoor activities such as fishing, kayaking, and paddle boarding. The resort also offers a store, BBQ area and playground for some family fun. |
Cayuga Lake State Park, New York
Cayuga Lake State Park is a popular camping destination for families who want to experience the great outdoors without leaving behind all the comforts of home.
The campground offers lakeside tent sites, yurts and cabins as well as boating and swimming on the lake. You’ll also have plenty of opportunities to fish in Cayuga Lake, which is known for its walleye fishing.
For those traveling with small children, this campground has an indoor pool that is open year-round as well as a playground with equipment geared toward kids up to age 12.
If you want more than just cabin lodging at Cayuga Lake State Park, check out Cornell University’s famous birding program or Watkins Glen State Park where you can go rock climbing or hiking through the woods on your days off from fishing in the lake!
Looking for the best camping spots for your family? Check out our article on the best camping spots for families in the USA and discover some of the most scenic and family-friendly campgrounds across the country.
Cedar Pass Campground, South Dakota
Cedar Pass Campground is located in the Black Hills National Forest, which makes it a great family camping destination.
There are only 12 campsites at this campground and each one has a picnic table and fire ring. Unfortunately, there are no RV hookups at Cedar Pass Campground, but there are restrooms, showers and drinking water available for your use.
Top Family-Friendly Campgrounds in South Dakota
| Campground | Description |
|---|---|
| Cedar Pass Campground | Located in Badlands National Park, Cedar Pass Campground is a family-friendly camping spot with sites that offer stunning views of the Badlands. The park offers various recreational activities such as hiking and wildlife watching. The campground also offers a family-friendly amphitheater program that offers entertainment and learning experiences. |
| KOA Rapid City | KOA Rapid City is a family-friendly camping resort offering a variety of activities, including a swimming pool, fishing, and a playground for kids. It’s located just minutes away from many nearby attractions, such as the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore, and Crazy Horse. |
| Roubaix Lake Campground | Roubaix Lake Campground is a scenic spot nestled in the Black Hills National Forest, offering beautiful views of Roubaix Lake and the surrounding hills. The campground offers numerous outdoor activities for families, including fishing, kayaking, and swimming. |
| Custer State Park | Custer State Park is a massive park located in the Black Hills that offers many activities for the whole family, including hiking, rock climbing, horseback riding, and fishing. The park also has multiple picnic areas and campgrounds, including the popular Sylvan Lake Campground. |
| Bear Butte State Park | Bear Butte State Park is located in the Black Hills and features its namesake Bear Butte, a sacred Native American site. The park offers various outdoor activities such as hiking, nature watching, and fishing. The park is also a great spot for stargazing at night. |
Crater of Diamonds State Park, Arkansas
Located in Murfreesboro and Searcy, Arkansas, this park is the only one in the United States dedicated to diamond mining.
The site has been mined since 1906 and is still open to visitors today! While you are there, you can spend time at the visitor center learning about all things diamond related or take part in any of their many activities such as gem-hunting or fossil hunting (with a permit).
There are also four campgrounds available for overnight stays: Bryan Cabin Campground with primitive sites; Diamond City Campground which has RV sites; King Canyon Campground with tent sites; and Lake Hattie Campground with tent sites.
All four campgrounds have restrooms available but no showers or hookups for water/electricity supply.
Camping with kids in the USA can be tricky without proper planning. That’s why we compiled a list of 10 essential tips for camping with kids in the USA to help make your family camping trips stress-free and enjoyable!
Fish Creek Campground, Wisconsin
Located in the Chequamegon National Forest, Fish Creek Campground is open year round and has over 100 campsites.
The campground also features a swimming beach and boat launch, making it ideal for those who want to get out on the water. It’s just a short drive from the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, which offers incredible hiking trails and scenic views of Lake Superior.
Camping at Fish Creek means staying close to nature (and not having to pay for Wi-Fi!). If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten path type of experience with your family then this is definitely the place for you!
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
The Grand Canyon is one of the most beautiful places in the world, and it’s located right here in the United States. If you have kids, this should be on your list of places to visit.
By far one of the most popular campgrounds for families is Maswik Lodge at Grand Canyon National Park (nps.gov/grca) in Arizona.
There’s plenty to do here, from hiking out into the canyon itself and taking in all its natural glory, to visiting historic sites like Hopi House or Mather Point with your family. Make sure you bring warm clothing—it gets chilly once evening rolls around!
National parks offer some of the best camping destinations for families in the USA. Our guide to the top family-friendly national parks for camping in the USA features some of the most breathtaking landscapes and family-friendly activities for an unforgettable camping experience.
Jellystone Park, Virginia
Virginia is a great state for camping. The state offers many places to camp, and Jellystone Park is one of the best. This campsite is located in Virginia and offers sites for tents, RVs, and pop-ups.
Whichever site you choose, it’s sure to be fun! The park also has activities including swimming pools, playgrounds, fishing ponds and more fun things to do with kids or friends (or both!).
This park is perfect if you want something close by that feels like an adventure but doesn’t require too much planning ahead of time.
You can rent the tent or RV site online or in person upon arrival at Jellystone Park’s office near Luray Caverns; payment options include cash only so make sure to come prepared!
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, California
Camping in the wilderness is one of the most fun family experiences you can have. However, if you want to spend a few nights with your kin and also enjoy modern amenities like restaurants and swimming pools, then Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is the place for you to be.
Located in Big Sur, this campground offers a beach as well as a camp store where you can buy snacks while making s’mores around their fire pit.
The park opens up year round so even though it’s winter now, this place will still be open when summer comes around again! Camping fees are $35 per night and there are many different types of sites available including RV sites, cabins and tent-only cabins (if you don’t want to worry about electric hookups).
There’s also an on-site restaurant that serves breakfast sandwiches or pancakes at any time during the day; make sure to check out their menu before arriving! You won’t find something like this anywhere else in California!
Salt Springs Recreation Area, Florida
If you want to camp with your kids and make sure that everyone has a good time, Salt Springs Recreation Area is the place for you.
It’s located in Florida, near the Gulf Coast and a few miles from Panama City Beach. This makes it a great choice for families who want to spend some time at the beach but also want to stay close enough to civilization so they can get back home when needed.
The park is filled with things for kids to do: swimming pools, playgrounds, volleyball nets—the works!
It also has hiking trails where kids can learn about nature without having too much trouble keeping up with their parents (a rare treat).
The campground offers cabins as well as campsites if you’re looking for something more private than tents or RV’s offer; either way there are plenty of amenities available throughout the year no matter how long your vacation lasts or how many people are traveling together.
Conclusion
We hope you’ve found this list helpful and it helps you plan your next family camping trip. Remember to bring lots of sunscreen, bug spray, and snacks.
It’s also important that everyone knows their role in the group when it comes time to set up camp!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to help you plan your family camping trip:
The Family Vacation Guide: Best Family Campgrounds in the US: A comprehensive list of the best family-friendly campgrounds across the United States.
Family Vacationist: Best Campgrounds and RV Parks for Families: A guide to the best campgrounds and RV parks that offer fun and entertainment for families.
Travel + Leisure: Best Family Camping Spots: Featuring some of the best family camping spots across the country, and offering insights into what sets them apart.
FAQs
How to choose the perfect campground for my family?
Choosing the right campground depends on various factors, such as your family’s preferences, the location, the facilities, and the activities available. It’s essential to do some research on the amenities, activities, and nearby attractions to find a suitable camping spot.
What camping gear should I bring for a family camping trip?
The type of gear you bring depends on the type of camping you’re doing and your needs, but some essentials include a tent, sleeping bags, cooking utensils, a portable stove or grill, a portable cooler, and insect repellent.
How do I keep my kids entertained while camping?
Camping offers plenty of fun activities for kids, from hiking and fishing to campfires and stargazing. Bring along some board games, outdoor games, and books to keep the kids entertained during downtime.
What are some safety tips for family camping trips?
When camping with your family, it’s essential to take precautions to ensure everyone’s safety. Some tips include planning ahead, staying on designated trails, keeping an eye on children at all times, and avoiding wild animals.
How do I make camping with kids easier?
Camping with kids can be challenging, but some tips can make it easier, such as preparing and packing well in advance, setting up camp before dark, involving your kids in planning and packing, and bringing along comfort items such as their favorite snacks, toys, and books.
I’m Hellen James, and I am a camping enthusiast. I’ve been camping since I was a kid and have always loved it the fresh air, the beautiful scenery, and the great outdoors. In fact, it’s one of my favorite things to do in the summer!
