Camping can be one of the best activities for family bonding. From a refreshing swim, to making smores at the campfire, there is something for everyone.
However, what location you pick for your camping trip can play a big part in how enjoyable the trip is. Humidity, bugs, rain, and a number of other factors can dampen people’s enthusiasm for taking their next big camping adventure.
To help, we’ve created a list of some of the best family friendly camp sites across the US to help you jump start planning your next family adventure.
McCormick’s Creek State Park, Indiana
Looking for the perfect place to enjoy scenic waterfalls, go fishing and horse riding, and explore a vast limestone canyon? The oldest state park in Indiana is the answer.
This beautiful park welcomes over 630,000 visitors annually and covers 1,924 acres of preserved land. On top of modern amenities and its many activities, the camping site also offers lodging options such as full-size family cabins.
Zion National Park, Utah
Zion National Park in Utah is another popular choice and a great place to unwind, pop up your hammock, and read your favorite book in peace as your kids run around and have fun.
The park itself offers over 148,000 acres and comes with multiple designated campsites, making it an ideal destination who wish to explore the park’s mountains, canyons, and rivers. It also offers family-friendly activities like wildlife encounters, ranger-led tours, and more.
Sugarloaf Key / Key West KOA Resort, Florida
One of Florida’s all-time favorite campgrounds, Sugarloaf Key is known as a family-friendly camping site that offers top-class amenities including deluxe cabins, boat rentals, a pool, pull-thru RV sites, and a full-service marina.
Pets are welcome at this campground, and you can rent a bike to travel the grounds with your family. If you’re looking to beat the summer heat, you can also take a swim or rent kayaks and paddleboards.
Sequoia National Park, California
This wonder of nature lies in the southern Sierra Nevada mountains and is known for its giant sequoia trees, diverse landscapes, and rich wildlife. If you’re visiting with your family, fret not; there are seven well-equipped camping spots throughout the 404,064-acre park.
Sequoia National Park is perfect for those seeking to unwind and enjoy the natural treasures it possesses. After taking on a 1.7-mile trail that leads to a 1,200-foot cascading waterfall, you can take a rest on a horse’s back or stretch your arms on a kayak!
Stone Mountain Park Campground, Georgia
The Stone Mountain Park Campground is located just under Georgia’s Stone Mountain and comes with over 400 RV, tent sites, and rentals of all kinds to suit your family’s needs.
Thanks to its proximity to Stone Mountain, visitors can enjoy the mountain’s attractions while staying comfortable with modern facilities. The site also features a store, a swimming pool, a volleyball court, and a playground. It comes equipped with grills, picnic tables, and fire rings.
James M. Robb – Colorado River State Park, Colorado
Modern facilities and well-maintained campsites are but one of the reasons why thousands of families travel to this Colorado state park to relax. The 890-acre park is situated along the Colorado River and is just a ride away from tourist destinations such as the Colorado National Monument and Dinosaur Journey Museum.
The latter consists of a real paleontology lab and allows children to help dig up real dinosaur bones at a nearby excavation spot. The campgrounds itself boasts many activities including canoeing, horseback riding, bicycle and hiking trails, boating, fishing, and more.
Wallowa Lake State Park, Oregon
This eastern Oregon gem is located at the southern point of Lake Wallowa and is best known for its gorgeous views of towering peaks and a scenic glacial lake.
Explore Lake Wallowa in kayaks with a glass bottom or enjoy the views from the aerial tramway. If that’s not enough to get your blood pumping, go-karting might just do the trick. The choice is yours!
Burt Lake State Park, Michigan
Covering 406 acres of land at the southern shore of Burt Lake, this Michigan state park is home to sandy shorelines and shallow swim areas ideal for families with young children.
The park offers hundreds of modern camping sites and activities like boating, fishing, sightseeing, and swimming. It is also an excellent jumping-off point for attractions such as Mackinac Island, Tahquamenon Falls, Petoskey, and Harbor Springs.
Mystic Hills Hideaway, South Dakota
Looking for something in South Dakota’s Black Hills National Forest? Mystic Hills Hideaway Campground is a popular family destination located just a ride away from the Mount Rushmore National Memorial.
If that’s not enough to convince you to visit, the camp’s lodge rooms, cabins, treehouse, and rental campers might just do the trick. The camping site offers year-round activities such as ATV riding in the summer and snowmobile adventures in the winter. It’s also equipped with a full-menu restaurant and a playground for the youngest.
Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland
If pristine beaches, salt marshes, and hot weather are of your liking, make Assateague Island National Seashore your next camping destination. Located on a protected island off the coast of Virginia and Maryland, this national treasure offers vast trails, ranger-led programs, and wildlife activities.
Thinking about taking your kids kayaking, surfing, or watching wild horses roam their natural habitat? You won’t be disappointed.
Shenandoah River State Park, Virginia
Twelve primitive campsites for tents and dozens of campgrounds with cabins and provisions for popups, tents, and campers grace the presence of Shenandoah River, Daughter of the Stars.
The most popular activities in the area include kayaking, canoeing, exploring cave systems, hiking trails, and visiting waterfalls. If you want to do something unique, you may also unwind at the local wineries or take your family on a horseback ride!
In this state park, children have the opportunity to become junior rangers by completing a set of activities and a ranger program.
Fall Creek Falls State Park, Tennessee
Scenic gorges, waterfalls, and cascades would best describe this 30,638-acre state park spanning Tennessee’s Van Buren and Bledsoe counties.
The entire park has over two hundred campsites, dozens of cabins, and five picnic pavilions covering five different areas. Proving itself as a family-friendly destination, Fall Creek Falls offers a number of child-friendly attractions and trails. Families can participate in fun programs and enjoy biking, birding, hiking, fishing, boating, golfing, and more!
Catalina State Park, Arizona
Last but not least is Catalina State Park, one of the Grand Canyon State’s biggest natural treasures. Home to nearly five thousand desert plants and saguaros species, this 5,500-acre park stretches across canyons and foothills that offer the perfect opportunity for fun family activities like hiking, horse riding, bird watching, and camping.
Camping in the park is available at 120 electric and water sites each of which comes equipped with a BBQ grill, picnic tables, and hot showers for your comfort.
Conclusion
There are hundreds of worthy camping sites across the States and hundreds of reasons to treat yourself and your family to an unforgettable adventure. For your convenience, we’ve listed some of the most beautiful, travel-worthy, and family-friendly campgrounds in the nation in this post.
Before you choose your next destination, discuss your needs and wants with your family and compare them with the information we’ve provided. Whether you’re after hiking and swimming or kayaking and birding, your thirst for adventure will now finally be satisfied!