#Gather Around the Campfire – 5 Family-Friendly Campgrounds to Add to Your Travel Wishlist

For most people in the 21st century, spending hours browsing the web on your computer or flipping through social media platforms on your phone has become the new normal. However, if the constant barrage of technology is giving you a headache, now may be the perfect time to disconnect and take a family camping trip.

Roughing it in the outdoors provides a bonding experience like no other. You and your family get to connect on a deeper level by working as a team to set up the tent, build a fire, make food, and snuggle up into sleeping bags under the stars. Outdoor experiences like hiking and fishing also pose an opportunity to challenge your children through teaching them new skills and facing new experiences.

However, planning a vacation with children isn’t always a walk in the park, especially when it involves hands-on attention. Set your vacation off on the right foot by creating a detailed packing list so you can load up your car with ease and plan meals out in advance. Once you’ve collected the essentials, begin your search for the perfect camping destination.

First, pack the essentials

Before hitting the road, write up a to-do list and give yourself time to snatch up items you may be missing. Start with campsite basics like a tent, sleeping bags, pillows, camp chairs, and headlamps. After you’ve gathered the essentials, look into which cooking method you’ll be using on your adventure. Some utilize natural fires, while others prefer a portable camp stove to speed up the process.

Consider bringing along a few extra items, like binoculars, field guides, stargazing charts, or a trail camera to elevate your outdoor experience. Setting up a trail camera, like those from Game Camera World, is a great way to teach your kids about the ecology and local wildlife. Plus, you’ll have snapshots to remind you of your outdoor adventures.

Smokey Bear Campground

Located in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Smokey Bear Campground is the perfect place for travelers new to the camping game or those with very young children. The grounds have RV hookups, shaded tent areas, cabins available for rent, and pet-friendly guidelines. In addition, sites come with picnic tables and fire pits for family dinners and campfire singalongs.

This campsite offers your little bundles of energy a rule-free playground where they can explore and make new friends. There’s also a small store with souvenirs to commemorate your trip and stock up on camping essentials, just in case something gets left behind.

Friendly Beaver Campground

Friendly Beaver campground is a multi-award-winning site that sits in the stunning woods of New Boston, New Hampshire. The campground features multiple outdoor events per day, taking some stress off parents struggling to fill the hours. Kids can participate in field games or scavenger hunts while adults play bingo in the lodge. At the end of the day, everyone can come together for s’mores before heading back to your campsite for a good night’s rest.

Witch Meadow Campground

Don’t let the name scare you—Witch Meadow campground is one of Connecticut’s most peaceful regions. This site features spaced-out campsites for solitude and a recreation center for group activities, providing activities for campers young and old.

Witch Meadow sits on a 14-acre freshwater lake for those itching for fun in the sun, offering a prime opportunity for anyone looking to boat, fish, or take a dip in the lake. If you’re planning a trip in October, you won’t want to miss the annual Halloween Bash, an event complete with a costume contest and pumpkin carving extravaganza.

Watchman Campground

If you want to plan a once in a lifetime camping trip to Zion National Park, look no further than the Watchman Campground. This site can be found right inside the park’s south entrance and offers spaces for RV’s and tents. Zion has plenty of short walks and hikes with interactive opportunities through the visitor’s center and learning stations throughout the park. There are even two cafes inside the Zion Lodge, perfect for grabbing lunch and picnicking on the large front lawn.

Wrapping up

If you’re looking for a trip filled with outdoor adventures and familial bonding time, trekking to a well-loved campground could be the solution. Choose from numerous family-friendly sites that offer open-air activities, beautiful landscapes, and a one-of-a-kind experience in the great outdoors.