Summer is a time for family, fun, and memories that will last a lifetime. What better way to create memories than by going on a camping trip together? Not only is camping a great way to bond with your loved ones, but it's also affordable and a lot of fun. In this blog post, we will discuss 7 amazing camping trips that you should book now!
Time outdoors has numerous health benefits, so it's no wonder that camping is becoming increasingly popular among millennials and families alike. As summer approaches, start making plans for a fun-filled family camping vacation!
1. Beach Camping Along the Florida Keys
If you're looking for the perfect beach camping destination, look no further than the Florida Keys. You can drive down in an RV or pack up your car with all your gear for a week of tent camping. The journey from Key Largo to Key West is 100+ miles long and full of opportunities to swim, snorkel, and set up camp at sites like John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (which has 50 individual campsites). RVers will fall head over heels for spots like Sunshine Key RV Resort near Big Pine Key and Fiesta Ket RV Resort on Long Island - both are right on the beach with incredible ocean views.
2. Dude Ranch-Style Camping in South Dakota
South Dakota is the perfect state for a camping trip that will feel like a stay at a dude ranch. Blue Bell Campground, located in Custer State Park, offers hayrides and chuckwagon cookouts for a classic experience. Whether you want to sleep in tents or cabins, there are plenty of wilderness activities nearby, such as horseback riding and fishing. For tours of the park to get up close with buffalo and elk, try Buffalo Safari Jeep Rides (they pick up from State Game Lodge Resort). Mount Rushmore National Monument and Badlands National Park can both be reached within an hour by car.
3. Camping Up the Coast of Maine
A family camping trip along the coast of Maine is the perfect way to spend your summer vacation. Start in Portland and stay at the Saco/Old Orchard Beach KOA, which offers a variety of activities for kids, like swimming and tie-dye t-shirt making. We made our tip a little longer and added Boston to our itinerary. Another great spot to add would be Cape Cod which we haven't tried yet. Don't forget to take pictures of Portland Head Light, the state’s oldest lighthouse! We went on a Lobster boat tour in Portland and had a blast catching and learning about lobsters and took our catch to a local restaurant for a great meal. While you're in Freeport, be sure to check out L.L Bean's flagship store - you can't miss it because of the giant duck boot displayed outside! Drive up the coast, stopping to enjoy lobster rolls along the way. Hike Jordan Pond Loop Trail in Acadia National Park and wake early one day to see sunrise from Cadillac Mountain's peak.
4. National Park Camping at the Majestic Mountain Loop in California
When you camp at the Majestic Mountain Loop in California, you can visit three national parks: Sequoia, Kings Canyon and Yosemite. Start your trip with a hike along the Big Trees Trail in Sequoia National Park. Then take a selfie with General Sherman (the largest giant sequoia tree in the world) or with General Grant (the second-largest giant sequoia tree in the world), which is just next door at Kings Canyon. At Yosemite, you can picnic at Swinging Bridge, hike to Yosemite Falls and take in all the must-sees, like Half Dome and Tunnel View. To make sure you secure a spot, book your campsite online or plan to arrive early for first-come, first-served campsites inside the parks.
5. Camping Along the Coast of Oregon
Amy Hagstrom Whitley of Pit Stops for Kids, who has plenty of experience camping out in Oregon with her family--even during winter--knows a thing or two about the coastal campgrounds Oregon offers. A couple of her favorites include Sunset Bay State Park (just outside Coos Bay) and Harris Beach State Park (north of Brookings). Both are located on Highway 101, which hugs the coastline and makes for a great north-south route if you're planning a family camping vacation. Kids will have a blast scrambling over the rocky beaches and strolling along the bluff with a serene water view. If you need a break from tent camping, both locations offer yurt rentals.
6. Camping in the Great Smokie Mountains
We spent half of our trip on the Tennessee side of the Smokies near Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. There are some amazing hiking trails and river tubing for a great family adventure. We then headed over to the North Carolina side of the Smokies and loved, loved, loved Asheville NC. There are so many things to see in Asheville and some of the best Mountain biking on the East Coast in Pisgah national forest. The food scene is off the hook with Holy donut, Biscuit Head, and White Duck Taco being some of the best culinary treats I have had.
7. Camping in Michigan Sleeping Bear Dunes
There are many campgrounds in Michigan with full hook-ups, meaning they have access to sewer, water and electricity. The modern campground at South Higgins Lake State Park and the privately owned Leelanau Pines Campground are just two that offer full hook-ups, and you can find more picks in our roundup below.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore offers many amenities for visitors, including scenic sandy beaches and towering dune formations on the northeast shore of Lake Michigan. The lakeshore also has forests, historic farmsteads, riverfront campgrounds with showers and electric hook-ups, and group sites on South Manitou Island that can accommodate up to 20 people.