Family Fun: Discover The Best Child-Friendly Campgrounds In The US

Were you born into a camping family yourself? If so, chances are that there were aspects of the experience you didn’t look forward to at the time. Perhaps you hated the thought of leaving your neighborhood friends behind for the summer, were envious of those who got to enjoy resort-style vacations, or simply thought you’d hate doing without modern conveniences and sleeping in a tent. 

Looking back, though, you probably realize that some of your favorite memories were made while camping. Singing songs around the campfire while making and eating s’mores, running around the wilderness with siblings and friends you made while camping, trying out canoeing for the first time, or buying ice cream from the campground store, anyone?

If you’re gearing up to give your kids the same amazing experiences, and it’s been a while since you last went camping, you’ll want to make sure the campground you choose is child-friendly — whether you’ve got little ones or teenagers. 

This guide is packed with tips to make it happen. 

What Makes a Campground Child-Friendly? 

Child Friendly Camping
Photo by Janko Ferlič on Unsplash

This question is crucial — because it’s going to determine what you’re looking for. No two families will have the same set of criteria. The answer doesn’t just depend on the age of the children for whom you’re hoping to create an amazing camping experience, but also on your personal preferences. 

Still, there are some things we can all agree on. We want children to be safe, have a wonderful time, and learn some new skills while camping. How you’re going to achieve that will differ from one family to the next. 

  • Modern restrooms and showers help us keep them clean. 
  • A campground equipped with a well-stocked first-aid station and easy access for first responders, in case it’s needed. 
  • Exciting playgrounds for small children to enjoy — but also opportunities to ditch these curated facilities in favor of mud, stones, sticks, and bird-watching. (After all, you want your kids to connect with nature!)
  • Child-friendly water activities are high on our list of must-haves as well. Pedal boats and inner tubes always make for great family fun, for example.
  • Call us crazy, but we want there to be a place where slightly older kids can get ice cream alone or buy some dinner supplies. Campground stores make for great memories!
  • Another essential ingredient? Other children! If a campground has a reputation for being family-friendly, your little ones will have lots of opportunities to play with other tiny campers.

Teenagers are a different story. They benefit from activities specifically organized for teens and an opportunity to break free from parents to explore nature with people their own age. Look for teen activities or ranger-led tour opportunities.

Your teens probably have WiFi high on their priority list, but if you’d love for them to unplug from the web and connect with nature instead, you may want to look for WiFi-free campgrounds. 

Ready for some suggestions? Here they come! 

1. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Mammoth Cave, KY

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Mammoth Cave, a stone’s throw away from Mammoth Cave National Park, is an attraction-filled camp resort with campgrounds, an RV park with full hookup amenities, and luxury cabins.

While Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Mammoth Cave offers plenty of opportunities to explore the great outdoors (caving, kayaking, ziplines, fishing, and more), it’s got that fun commercial feel that most small children go absolutely crazy for. You’ll have a hard time deciding whether to try mini golf, wagon rides, the waterpark, the floating obstacle course, or the gem mining experience — and that’s just the start! For the teens, there’s even a gaming arcade and full WiFi access.

2. Smoky Bear Campground, TN

Smoky Bear Campground, TN

The Smoky Bear Campground & RV Park is one of the many amazing family-friendly campgrounds within the Good Sam network. Nestled within the Northeastern part of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, it has all the amenities you could possibly want — including RV sites, cabins, and tent sites. It’s a clean and beautifully maintained base from which you can explore the Smoky Mountains as a family.

The Smoky Bear Campground is a wonderful choice for families who are looking for a camping experience with lots of organized activities but with a more natural (and less resort-like) feel. There’s a pool, a playground, fire rings, and even a library.

3. Pineland Camping Park, WI

Pineland Camping Park, WI

Pineland Camping Park in Arkdale, Wisconsin is a beautiful woodland campground from which you’ll be able to explore nearby attractions like Petenwell Lake and the Wisconsin Dells. It caters to literally every camping style, from TV hookups to tent sites and cabins. With so many unique activities, this camping park is the golden ticket to fun for the whole family.

Mini golf, safari bikes, a heated pool, ATVs, Kid’s Clubhouse & Arcade, jumping pillows, live music, and other exciting activities ensure it’s a trip your kids will always remember — no matter what their ages. While Pineland Camping Park is a wild ride, those of you who would simply prefer to chill and escape the crowds can rest assured that this campground offers privacy and relaxation, too.

4. Bluebell Campground, Custer State Park, SD

Blue Bell Campground, Custer State Park, SD

Custer State Park is home to a variety of amazing campgrounds, including primitive campsites, but Bluebell Campground is one of the more child-friendly options in this area. With modern amenities like laundry facilities, fuel, and a wonderful campground store, you’ll be able to enjoy your wilderness experience in style. Despite that, Bluebell Campground definitely opens the door to a traditional camping experience.

If your kids are going through their “cowboy phases” right now, Bluebell Campground is a must-do! Think hayrides, cookouts, horseback riding, and amazing guided tours your kids won’t forget any time soon. For the grown-ups, hunting and fishing await!

5. Mountain View Campground, VT

Mountain View Campground, VT Morrisville

Do you believe camping is all about discovering a new way of life — and do you picture sitting around the campfire singing songs together after tubing, hiking, and kayaking all day? Mountain View Campground, which looks out over the Great Mountains in Vermont, offers you that rustic experience.

Start with river tube and kayak rentals, explore the trails, and enjoy the convenience store with propane refill facilities before you retreat to your own RV site or tent. When the little ones get a little overwhelmed by all that nature, there’s mini golf, a lending library for games, and a very cool playground. 

3154 VT Route 15 East, Morrisville, VT 05661

6. Family & Friends Playground, Sebago Lake, ME

This camping retreat near Sebago Lake in Maine is wonderful for families who want to escape the hustle and bustle of modern life — but still camp in comfort. Relax in a beautiful woodland area and pick from RV hookups, cabins, and tent sites that all include picnic tables and fire rings. Family & Friends Playground is that wholesome, all-natural campground you’ve been looking for if  the camping resorts we looked at earlier fill you with dread.

Got small kids? They’ll be able to enjoy a fantastic playground and organized activities — but they’ll also have the freedom to potter around in nature without commercial attractions. Got teens? There’s a great swimming pool and a camp lodge with ping pong, billiards, and other fun games, but also a fishing pond. You, meanwhile, can be as active as you want — or just enjoy a camp meal cooked over your fire ring while soaking up the sunset.

7. Arrowhead Point Campground & Cabins, CO

Want a camping experience that gives you a full view of the Rocky Mountains while allowing you to explore nearby attractions like Denver, the Great Sand Dunes, and Pikes Peaks? Arrowhead Point Campground & Cabins caters to different camping styles, from tent sites to RV hookups and cabins. 

Well, if we had to sum it up in four words, “guided Colorado river rafting” would probably do the trick, but there’s more. Hiking is one of those mandatory camping experiences, but at Arrowhead Point, you can explore the trails on horseback instead! You and your children can also look forward to fishing, ziplines, an absolutely amazing adventure park, and mountain bike trails!

Looking for Child-Family Campgrounds? Some More Tips!

We hope you enjoyed our recommendations, all of which allow you and your family to pitch a tent, pull up in your RV, or rent a cabin — but we know the campgrounds we featured won’t be within everyone’s reach.

Want to explore family-friending camping options closer to home or further afield?

Continue your search with these handy websites:

  • Reserve America — type in where you want to go and get a list of state and privately-owned campgrounds.
  • GlampingHub — if you want a luxury camping experience or you’re excited to stay somewhere unusual like a tree house or yurt.
  • The Dyrt — a great place to explore wonderful campsites near you (or far away!).
  • Kamgrounds of America — pick the perfect campsite for you and your family!

Once you narrow your options down a little, don’t forget to look for reviews posted by other families with children of similar ages as yours. This extra step will give you a more realistic idea of what to expect, and it can definitely help you avoid doozies!

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