Given over 15,000 campgrounds across the U.S., you're always within reach of some top-notch camping spots regardless of your location. However, when selecting a family-friendly campground, which features should be at the forefront of your decision-making process? Consider the types of activities that would appeal to your clan as they can greatly enhance your experience. For instance, during summertime, proximity to facilities like pools or beaches could significantly elevate your enjoyment.
When looking for top-notch campsites, keep an eye out for amenities such as playgrounds, fire pits, picnic areas, stunning vistas, accessible routes suitable for children’s bicycles or scooters, close proximity to restroom facilities equipped with flushing toilets and warm showers, clean drinking water, convenient entry points, nearby tourist spots, expansive grassy zones ideal for group activities among youngsters, and designated spaces for dogs if your travel companion includes one.
These are my top selections for the finest campgrounds across the U.S., considering those criteria.
Begin your day with more knowledge. Receive all the essential news directly in your mailbox every morning.
LIFE ON THE ROAD: Top 10 Family-Friendly RV Road Trip Vacations
1. The Disney Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
Lake Buena Vista, Florida
Camping gets a touch of magic at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, which has recently unveiled new features. brand-new cabins to go alongside its fully equipped campsites These campgrounds can fit anything from tents up to 45-foot RVs and come equipped with privacy-improving foliage; connections for water, cable TV, and electricity; along with a picnic table and charcoal grill. Several locations also provide sewage hooks, and some permit pets as well.
LUXURY CAMPING: 10 best family glamping resorts in the United States
There are two pools, including one with a waterslide and water play area, plus activities like horseback riding, archery, and canoeing. Golf carts are a popular mode of transportation within Fort Wilderness, and guests can hop on a boat or bus to visit the Walt Disney World theme parks . There are lots of dining options at Fort Wilderness if you don't feel like cooking your own meals, and the brand-new Cabins at Fort Wilderness (a Disney Vacation Club resort) offer the ultimate in rustic chic glamping luxury.
2. Islander Resort
Lake Havasu City, Arizona
Located on the shores of Lake Havasu, Islander Resort It’s an excellent option for families fond of aquatic activities. Here, you can go fishing with a permit and set off from the docks using your own boats; additionally, numerous spots around offer rentals of paddleboards, kayaks, canoes, and jetskis. This campsite features over one-and-a-half miles of sand beaches perfect for swimming, as well as access to a resort-style pool where you could cool off instead.
SUMMER FUN: 12 best summer vacation ideas for families
Classic outdoor campground activities like pickleball, horseshoes, bocce, and shuffleboard are also favorite pastimes at Islander Resort. Its RV sites are large gravel lots with a concrete picnic table area and include views of the lake or the mountains. If you aren't RV camping , you can rent one of the campground’s fully stocked cabins that come with everything you’ll need (except food) for a family camping vacation.
3. Winding River Resort
Grand Lake, Colorado
One of the finest family-friendly campgrounds and resort lodgings situated along the Colorado River, Winding River Resort The area borders both Rocky Mountain National Park and Arapaho National Forest. Originally a logging camp from the late 1800s, this campground resort offers an excellent location for camping, hiking, and horseback riding with your children.
HOTEL DEALS: Top 10 Hotel Booking Sites Offering Low Prices
Winding River Resort offers park model cabins, spacious RV and tent sites, guest horse camp sites with corrals, and a unique Covered Wagon lodging experience. Activities include horseback riding, hayrides, pony rides, fishing, hiking, and ATV rentals. There are also Chuck Wagon Breakfasts during the summer, plus disc golf, pickleball, a sports field, playground, and Cowboy Church. Nearby Grand Lake, Lake Granby, and Shadow Mountain Lake National Recreational Area all provide boating, fishing, and water sports opportunities.
4. Tall Pines Campground and River Adventures
Bainbridge, New York
At Tall Pines Campground The large RV spots come equipped with all the facilities needed for contemporary camping conveniences. Once you're ready to venture out, you can enjoy activities like paddling, kayaking, tubing, and fishing in the Unadilla and Susquehanna rivers, or simply take a dip. Every Friday, Chippy’s Hippie Pizza Delivery will deliver your dinner in a pink 1969 VW Bug. And kids will love listening for the bell from Chippy’s Ice Cream Cart .
NO PASSPORT NEEDED: 6 top all-inclusive resorts in Hawaii
Nearby at Frog Pond Farms, visitors can observe farm animals, purchase locally grown products, and explore within the greenhouse. Within easy driving distance, you'll also find several attractions such as the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, the Charlotte Valley Railroad, and the Kopernik Science Center.
5.Splash RV Resort and Aquatic Park
Milton, Florida
Featuring paved RV spots, cozy cottages, and Conestoga Wagons for families seeking a glamorous camping experience, Splash RV Resort and Water Park Situated close to Navarre Beach in Milton, Florida, this campground spans over 60 acres and offers an extensive array of activities, making it easy for families to stay entertained indefinitely.
TEEN-FRIENDLY TRIPS: 10 Family-Friendly All-Inclusive Resorts That Will Appeal Even to Teenagers
Dress up in your swimming gear and drift along the calm waters of the lazy river, take a dip in one of the resort pools, or engage in a game of pickleball. The venue features an amphitheater where you can experience live performances and shows. Should you prefer not to cook, you have the option to savor meals and beverages at the on-site tiki bar or from the food truck offerings.
Although there’s lots of activities available at the campground, Milton is just around a six-hour drive by car or RV from Orlando, allowing you to add the Splash RV Resort and Waterpark as part of your multi-day adventure in Florida. family road trip that incorporates the best Orlando theme parks and Florida water parks .
6. Austin Lake Campground and Cottages
Toronto, Ohio
Family-owned and -operated Austin Lake RV Park and Cabins is situated on a huge manmade lake with plenty of open space for hiking, biking, and relaxing. Water sports and swimming are a favorite activity at the resort’s 80-acre lake, sandy beach, and inflatable obstacle course. Paddleboats, paddleboards, kayaks, and bumper boats are also readily available. Stocked spring-fed ponds are great for fishing, and a kid-friendly creek flows through the park offering hours of fun.
NO HIDDEN COSTS: 21 top family-friendly all-inclusive resorts in the U.S.
The hiking paths, birdwatching spots, extensive picnic areas complete with shelters, four play zones for children, pedal cars, a spiral slide, hay rides, along with scheduled weekly happenings make up the range of activities available at this campsite designed for families.
7. Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina
Newport Beach, California
A renowned family retreat spot in Orange County, Newport Dunes features the region’s top-notch RV park. Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina This campsite resort in California provides spacious RV sites, cozy cottages, a 442-slip marina, a boat launching area, bicycle and watercraft rental services, a calm-beach zone, and a swimming lagoon.
TRIPS TO REMEMBER: Top 50 Family Vacation Ideas Suitable for All Age Groups
Your RV spot could be right next to the water, with palm trees all around you and close to a sandy shore. You can observe your children playing in the lagoon or engage in various aquatic activities provided here; alternatively, spread out a picnic mat for a film screening at the seaside. Besides these common shoreline pastimes, this campsite is just half an hour away from additional attractions. Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm theme parks.
8. Pineland Camping Park
Arkdale, Wisconsin
Approximately two hours north of Madison, Pineland Camping Park Is home to a Kids Clubhouse featuring a miniature golf course, bouncing pillows, an arcade, and various other activities. However, this isn’t the sole reason why it ranks among the nation’s top campgrounds. Pineland provides a wide range of facilities for a distinctive camping adventure, such as playgrounds equipped with gaga ball pits, a heated swimming pool, and even gemstone mining opportunities.
SUMMER FUN: 11 top national parks for families to explore during summertime
Many of the campgrounds are heavily forested, providing ample seclusion. The park provides options for tents, rented recreational vehicles, as well as several cabins. It features planned family events, special theme weekends, and live entertainment each Saturday evening. Should you prefer not to prepare meals, there’s a bar/café run by the proprietor who prepares made-to-order pizzas or fried fish dishes for visitors.
9. Beaver Lake Campground
Custer, South Dakota
A camping area with 81 sites situated approximately 50 minutes away from Rapid City, Beaver Lake Campground features a swimming pool along with a massive 360-foot-long waterslide designed to entertain children throughout the day. The RV spots are spacious and covered with grass; some receive abundant sunlight while others sit beneath towering pine trees, offering ample room for setting up your camping chairs as you unwind next to the fire pit. For tents, there are numerous suitable locations available. Those seeking additional facilities can opt for either the deluxe or standard cabins.
SPLASH ZONE: 13 top indoor water park resorts in the U.S.
It’s an excellent family campground from which you can easily visit Mount Rushmore (just 22 minutes away), Custer State Park (around 29 minutes’ drive), Crazy Horse Memorial (only 10 minutes distant), and Jewel Cave National Monument (a nine-minute trip).
10. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Near Mammoth Cave
Cave City, Kentucky
A short distance away from Mammoth Cave National Park, Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park at Mammoth Cave It stands as one of the nation's premier campgrounds for both relaxation and enjoyment with loved ones. Regardless of whether you prefer tent spots, RV locations, or experiencing the camping life within one of the park’s lodgings, this campground serves as an excellent starting point for ventures such as discovering Mammoth Cave, paddling along the Green or Nolin rivers, and more. flying close to zipline courses and treetop excursions .
BEACH TIME: 10 Charming Beach Resorts in Florida Ideal for Families
This particular Jellystone Park, one of over 75 Jellystone campgrounds In both the U.S. and Canada, this location boasts numerous scheduled events (consult the park’s calendar to discover which ones coincide with your intended visit). There are also colossal bouncing cushions, a water play zone, a sand-covered shore equipped with an air-filled challenge course, miniature golf facilities, and a go-kart circuit. For those seeking relaxation, bring along a towel and make use of one of the available pools, or simply unwind at your camping spot among loved ones and companions. You never know—Yogi and Cindy Bear might drop by for a chat!
11. Elizabethtown/Hershey KOA Holiday
Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania
The Elizabethtown/Hershey KOA Holiday It stands out as one of central Pennsylvania’s premier family camping destinations. The campsites designed forRVs are covered with gravel, and numerous spots come equipped with a patio featuring a fire pit, Adirondack chairs, a charcoal grill, and even a glider for unwinding. (Those premium patios go above and beyond with an added gazebo perfect for sheltered al fresco meals.)
This campground offers easy access to both Hersheypark and Amish Country. For history enthusiasts, trips to Gettysburg, visits to the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg, or tours of the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia await. Many families enjoy exploring Hershey’s Chocolatetown within Hersheypark and purchasing ingredients for making s'mores during their evenings by the campfire. Don’t forget to admire the distinctive streetlamps shaped like Hershey Kisses as you stroll through the area.
FLY AWAY: 17 top websites for finding cheap flights
This is your quintessential family campground, perfect for unwinding as you observe the children swimming, enjoying a wagon ride, playing miniature golf, catching fish in the well-stocked pond, and engaging in various activities. memories you’ll treasure far beyond when your vacation concluded.
The Elizabetton/Hershey KOA Holiday hosts themed weekends during the summertime. Among these, one of the highlights is the Chocolate Extravaganza, which includes activities like a chocolate slip-and-slide along with various other sweets-focused events.
Editor's note: To discover additional family camping options nearby, check out campgrounds in your area at Go RVing , Recreation.gov , HipCamp , and KOA .
11 top family-friendly campgrounds and RV parks in the U.S. originally appeared on FamilyVacationist.com .
More from FamilyVacationist:
- 15 top family-friendly all-inclusive resorts suitable for groups of 5 or more
- 19 top family-oriented resorts for kids in the U.S.
- 25 top family vacation destinations within the U.S.
The perspectives and thoughts presented in this article belong to the writer and do not necessarily represent the stance of USA TODAY. FamilyVacationist.com and TourScoop.com are managed and run by Vacationist Media LLC. Using the FamilyVacationist travel recommendation methodology , we examine and choose family vacation ideas , family vacation spots , all-inclusive family resorts , and classic family vacations For every age group. TourScoop includes organized group excursions and travel companies , tour operator reviews , tour itinerary reviews and travel gear recommendations .
The article initially appeared on USA TODAY: The top 11 family-friendly campgrounds and RV parks in the U.S.
Post a Comment