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Good family camping sites enhance family fun!
Finding family camping sites is one of the keys to a strong family camping experience. Here are some things to consider as you decide:
Driving distance (We often leave after noon on Fridays to camp for the weekend; sometimes we have to wait until late afternoon. Our usual choices in camping sites are within two hours’ driving, because we don’t want to be
setting up
in the dark.)
Camping alone or with others (If you’re alone, you have a great deal more freedom in finding a choice spot. Obviously, when camping with others, finding family camping sites which accommodate all the vehicles, tables, tents and/or car campers is a must.)
Other amenities/recreational events (We have a list of camping areas we avoid simply because too many ATVs like to play there. Also, some areas will have seasonal/monthly recreational activities which pull in tons of people. Know your area; do some research.)
The necessity of toilets (As mentioned on the
family camping page
, we prefer to camp on BLM lands. This means there are no toilets, and we prepare for that. However, if your family wants those toilets, you’ll need to find the parks and recreation page for your area. Usually you can find a good listing of campgrounds and family camping sites there.)
Nearby kids’ activities (Though we usually camp in the mountains where there are only outdoor recreational activities, it’s possible to choose a site based on the surrounding locale. In the past, we’ve gone to National Parks during day trips while camping nearby; also, if you want to camp near a small town, such as Moab, Utah -- see Family Fun Utah for more ideas -- you’ll have many options for day activities.)
Paid campground or not? (Many official campgrounds require some form of payment – and often, the more popular ones will be filled weeks in advance. If you know of a place you must camp, be sure to check out the family camping site well before summertime.)
Once you’ve found an area you like and are certain it’s available for the camping trip you’ve planned, now you want to choose the specific camping spot. We like nice views and some open area where the kids (and adults) can play. Look for a nice balance of shady and non-shady areas. It’s a good idea to have tents near trees, especially for the blocking of the morning sun. We always consider how far the spot lies from the road; also, where will the tents/campers fall compared to the campfire? This question is important, because most adults stay up after the kids go to bed, and you don’t want them to be too far away or too close. Check out
this
page for more ideas regarding camp set-up.
For those of you wanting to camp in Colorado,
here
are some tips for Colorado family activities, including hikes and camp spots.
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