10 Kid-Friendly Campgrounds And RV Parks That Are Perfect for Family Vacations

Go RVing provides a platform to amplify the voices of adventure campers, leisure campers, foodies, tailgaters, outdoor enthusiasts, families, digital nomads, and more, by empowering them to share their own RVing stories in their own words. Go RVing is both the brand and the call-to-action to explore the freedom, flexibility, and fun of RV travel and the adventures that await. Most recently, Go RVing worked with Dave Parfitt at the Family Vacationist as he set out to discover kid-friendly campgrounds that are perfect for family vacations.

With more than 22,000 campgrounds in the U.S., it’s easy to plan a camping trip that checks off all the boxes on your family vacation ideas wish list. From camping with pets to family glamping in rustic luxury, you’re never far from some of the country’s best campgrounds no matter where you live in the United States. 

But what are the most important qualities to look when choosing a family campground? Much like real estate, the first consideration is all about location. “If you want to be surrounded by nature, then look into public campgrounds [in or near] state or national parks,” says camping expert Diana Hansen of Let’s Camp S’More. “If you want to be close to attractions or urban areas, then private RV parks are the way to go.”

With more than 22,000 campgrounds in the U.S., it’s easy to plan a camping trip that checks off all the boxes on your family vacation ideas wish list. From camping with pets to family glamping in rustic luxury, you’re never far from some of the country’s best campgrounds no matter where you live in the United States. 

But what are the most important qualities to look when choosing a family campground? Much like real estate, the first consideration is all about location. “If you want to be surrounded by nature, then look into public campgrounds [in or near] state or national parks,” says camping expert Diana Hansen of Let’s Camp S’More. “If you want to be close to attractions or urban areas, then private RV parks are the way to go.”

Think about what kind of activities your family will enjoy, advises Keith Sims of Soulful RV Family. “In summer, a pool [or other swimming area such as a beach or swimming hole] is very important. Water slides and a lazy river can captivate kids for hours.” Other features of the best campgrounds are playgrounds, fire pits, picnic tables, beautiful views, safe roads where kids can ride bikes or scooters, a short walk to bathrooms with flush toilets and hot showers, potable water, easy access, interesting local attractions, lots of green space where groups of kids can play, and a dog park if you plan to bring a pet. 

Good cell service or free Wi-Fi is another huge plus for rainy days or downtime fun when you’ve run out of campfire jokes, family board games, and other low-tech entertainment ideas.

Best Campgrounds for Families

These picks for the best campgrounds in the U.S. are based on the factors that are most important to a successful family camping trip. For more family camping ideas near you, explore campgrounds at GoRVing, Recreation.gov, HipCamp, and KOA.

Islander Resort – Lake Havasu City, Arizona

Located on the shores of Lake Havasu, Islander Resort is a great choice for families who love to spend their days in or on the water. You can fish (with a license) and launch your boat from the docks, and there are several places nearby that rent paddle boards, kayaks, canoes, and jet skis. 

The campground boasts more than a mile and a half of sandy beach for swimming, or you can take a dip in the resort-style pool. Classic outdoor campground activities like pickle ball, horseshoes, bocce, and shuffleboard are also favorite pastimes at Islander Resort. 

Its RV sites are large, paved, 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.  

Winding River Resort – Grand Lake, Colorado

One of the best family campgrounds and lodging resorts located on the Colorado River, Winding River Resort borders both Rocky Mountain National Park and Arapaho National Forest. Formerly a logging camp dating back to the late 1800s, the campground resort is an ideal setting for camping, hiking, and trail riding with your kids. 

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 ice cream socials during the week and Chuck Wagon Breakfast on the weekends, plus disc golf and 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. 

Tall Pines Campground and River Adventures – Bainbridge, New York

At Tall Pines Campground, the spacious RV sites include all the amenities necessary for modern camping comforts. When it’s time to leave the campsite, you can canoe, kayak, tube, and fish in the Unadilla and Susquehanna Rivers, or just hop in for a swim. On Fridays, 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.

At nearby Frog Pond Farms, you can see farm animals, shop for local produce, and wander in the greenhouse. There are many places to see just a short drive away, too, including the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, the Charlotte Valley Railroad, and the Kopernik Science Center.

Check out the rest of the article from Family Vacationist here.