Camping is a fantastic way to travel as a family. It offers space for parents to unplug and room for kids to have fun and meet new friends. The trick is choosing the right campground that provides activities for all ages, creature comforts and enough variety so that no one is stuck asking what to do next.
Here are the best campgrounds for the whole family.
The Top Family Camping Destinations in the U.S.
There are more than 16,000 campgrounds in the U.S., but the following five stand out from the rest because they offer facilities and activities the whole family can enjoy.
1. Jennings KOA Holiday ─ Jennings, Florida
Situated at the Florida-Georgia line near Green Cove Springs, Jennings KOA Holiday is one of the best family-friendly campgrounds in Florida that caters to just about every travel style. Your options include full hookup RV sites, tent pitches and deluxe cabins.
The campground has all the amenities you need for a comfy camping experience. There’s a camp store where you can buy essentials and snacks, as well as Wi-Fi, firewood, propane, a pavilion and a snack bar. If your family includes a four-legged member, the KampK9 area is a real bonus.
There are enough facilities to keep the whole family entertained. You can spend the day moving between the basketball, bocce, shuffleboard and volleyball courts, or try your hand at cornhole and horseshoes. The heated pool and playground are popular among kids, where they can play with friends while parents relax on a sunlounger or go fishing at a nearby pond. When you’ve had your fill of the sun, head to the recreation hall for a friendly card game or billiards competition.
Regular events, such as Food Truck Wednesday and Saturday markets, are part of the experience, too. It’s also close to exciting attractions, such as Wild Adventures Theme Park and Jennings GP motorcycle track.
2. Ocean Lakes Family Campground ─ Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
If your idea of a family camping vacation involves sandy feet and ocean air, Ocean Lakes Family Campground is a great option. It has 859 campsites that can accommodate both RVs and tents. Each one comes with water, sewer, and electric hookups, cable TV, Wi-Fi, and a picnic table.
For day-to-day logistics, the Camptown Center has everything you could need. It houses a restaurant, laundry service, and center stage. You can also shop for groceries, snacks, gifts, and souvenirs at the 12,000-square-foot Sandy Mart.
One of Ocean Lakes Family Campground’s biggest draws is its direct access to the beach. With 20 beach access points, you are never far from the shoreline. Along the oceanfront, you’ll find large playgrounds and workout stations. There are also shuffleboard, volleyball, and basketball courts for a friendly competition.
When it’s time to cool off, Sandy Harbor Family Fun Center is the gathering point. Your family can float on the Adventure River or race down slides, and younger kids can splash safely in the Tad Pool and Splash Zones. Additionally, the activity calendar of this top family camping destination stays busy with water aerobics, tie-dye sessions, and mini-golf tournaments.
3. Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground ─ Lake Buena Vista, Florida
The Sunshine State has many excellent campgrounds thanks to its relatively pleasant year-round weather, which usually hovers above 68° Fahrenheit. Among the best is the Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, where you can camp right inside Walt Disney World.
Spread across 750 acres of pine and cypress forest, the campground has cabins, campsites, and RV sites. If you don’t have your own RV but would like the experience, it offers rentals equipped with resort-style amenities. Golf cars are available to help you get around, and a complimentary bus connects you to the rest of Walt Disney World Resort.
There’s plenty to do without ever leaving the campground. You can bike along tree-lined paths, paddle canoes through calm waterways, try fishing or archery, or visit Tri-Circle-D Ranch for horseback riding. Be sure to bring your bathing suit, as Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground has two pools. The first one is Meadow Swimmin’ Pool, which features a 67-foot-long corkscrew waterslide and a fort-themed water play area for kids. The second, called Wilderness Swimmin’ Pool, provides a quieter atmosphere.
The activities become more exciting as the sun goes down. Take your whole family to watch Magic Kingdom fireworks from the beach or gather for marshmallows and songs at Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long.
4. Tall Pines Campground and River Adventures ─ Bainbridge, New York
Tall Pines Campground and River Adventures is one of the top family camping destinations, featuring modern amenities and fun activities. Located in upstate New York, it offers spacious tent and RV sites with full hookups, 30/50 amps, and septic. You can choose riverfront, poolside, or seasonal camping in the Catskills, depending on how close you want to be to the action.
Camping here is all about convenience, as you can order food and essentials through ChippysAPP and have them delivered straight to your campsite. In terms of fun, you’ll find a range of facilities. Younger kids can lose hours at the pirate ship playground and wristband activity room, while older ones can enjoy the arcades. The whole family can also canoe, kayak, or tube along the Unadilla River.
If you love staying active, Tall Pines Campground and River Adventures also offer various sports facilities. These include miniature golf, volleyball, tetherball, and basketball courts. Moreover, those who prefer quieter moments have plenty of options, with activities such as riverside lounging, fishing, and evening campfires.
5. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp Resort ─ Georgetown, Texas
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp Resort in Georgetown, just north of Austin, is ideal for families who want constant activity and classic campground fun. Your options for accommodations include RV sites, tent camping, and lodging. Most feature picnic tables and fire rings or grills for relaxed outdoor meals.
Days at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp Resort revolve around play. Kids can have fun in the sun at the Adventure Pool. It has water slides, splash area,s and setups for water basketball. There’s also a lazy river for when they just want to relax. Outside of the water, they can join sing-along wagon rides, pedal carts, gem mining and GellyBall battles. Events like relay races, tie-dye sessions, bingo and movie nights are available as well.
Parents aren’t left out either, with access to the pool, a billiard table and a fitness center, among others. When you feel like venturing out, nearby attractions include Austin Zoo, Austin Aquarium, Blue Hole Park, Barton Springs Pool and Texas Memorial Stadium.
What to Look for When Booking a Family-Friendly Campground
Camping with the whole family can be a rewarding experience. Time outdoors offers excellent benefits for children’s mental health and overall well-being. It makes adults feel better, too. Therefore, when choosing a family-friendly campground, it’s a good idea to focus on what will actually make the trip enjoyable for everyone. Here’s what to look for:
- Age-appropriate activities that keep toddlers, kids and teens entertained
- Safe, walkable layouts so children can explore without constant supervision
- Practical conveniences like laundry, food options and stores for essentials
Finding the Right Campground for Your Family
The five top family camping destinations on this list are very different from one another, but each offers something for families. Make sure to choose one that suits your children’s ages, interests and comfort levels so everyone can have an awesome time together.
