Top 10 Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Perfect for Kids and Parents

While some hardcore campers might enjoy sleeping in a tent with no amenities, I’m not that type of camper! Plus, if you’re taking the kids or grandkids along, it helps to travel in an RV and have a campground with plenty of options to keep them busy because we all know they have far more energy than we do!

Highlights

• Where to camp: Get a list of family-friendly campgrounds across the USA
• How to rent an RV: You don’t have to sleep in a tent or own an RV to get the camping experience. You can work with RVshare to find the ideal camper for your adventure.
• How to book a great campsite: Use Spot2Nite to find a campsite, even last-minute.

This article is sponsored by RVshare and Spot2Nite.

First, a word about the Camping Experience

There’s something about the outdoors. It brings families together and can even get teens (and their parents!) to look up from their phones now and then. If, like me, you’re not a sleep-on-ground-in-a-bag kind of camper, you’ll want the comfort and convenience of an RV with a kitchen, bathroom and beds.

Buying an RV only makes economic sense if you plan to take numerous camping trips. But you can easily rent one from RVshare, the crowd-sourcing platform that connects RV owners with people who want to rent them. It’s simple, secure and convenient.

If you’re not comfortable driving or towing an RV, there are owners who will deliver their RV directly to the campground of your choice and set everything up for you. To find one, use the “Offers Delivery” filter in the search results and select the “Destination Delivery” option.

How to Find a Great Campsite

Start with Spot2Nite. It’s an easy-to-use online marketplace designed specifically for booking campgrounds, RV parks, and glamping stays across North America. You can search by location, dates, and amenities, then instantly reserve sites without the hassle of calling multiple campgrounds or navigating different reservation systems.

With access to more than 265,000 bookable campsites, real-time availability, verified guest reviews, and a lowest-price guarantee, it simplifies the planning process and helps families find the best fit for their trip. Plus, features like 24/7 customer support and quick, “look, book, go” functionality make it a convenient, stress-free way to secure your next camping adventure.

Best Family-Friendly Campgrounds Across the USA

From east to west, each of these campgrounds offers enough amenities to appeal to children of all ages.

1.Camp Fimfo Texas Hill Country

• Resort pool with private cabanas, waterslides, spa tubs and interactive water playground.
• Home to Cliff Carver, the only alpine coaster in Texas.
• On-site family-friendly tavern, Squirrely’s, featuring locally inspired cuisines, craft cocktails, beer, and wine.

Camp Fimfo in the Texas Hill Country delivers a Texas-sized adventure at the horseshoe bend of the Guadalupe River. The campground offers concrete pads with back-in and pull-thru RV campsites featuring full water/electric/sewer hook-ups with 20/30/50 Amp electric. Each campsite comes with a charcoal grill, fire ring and picnic table.

The list of amenities is extensive and includes a resort pool with private cabanas, in-water basketball hoops and volleyball nets. There’s also an interactive water playground, water slides and spa tubs. Out of the water, there’s 18-hole mini golf, yard games, pickleball and sand volleyball.

Camp Fimfo is also home to the Cliff Carver, the first and only alpine coaster in Texas. The coaster features three up tracks as it bobs and weaves for over a mile downhill, showcasing epic views of the Texas Hill Country along the way.

Camp Fimfo also features several dining options. The family-friendly tavern, Squirrely’s, serves locally inspired cuisine, specialty craft cocktails and local beers. It also features retro board games to keep everyone entertained. For wood-fired pizza and house-made ice cream, head to The Filling Station. And when you’re craving your morning coffee, the Bandit Coffee food truck is there for you.

At the end of the day, wind down in your RV with the complementary wi-fi and cable.

2. Canyon View RV Resort

• Large dog park for furry family members
• Stunning views from every campsite
• Resort pool and waterpark, hot tub and sauna

Surrounded by the beauty of the western slope of the Rocky Mountains, Canyon View RV Resort boasts 160 beautifully landscaped RV sites. The adventure options include hiking, biking and rafting in the nearby high desert canyons. Canyon View amenities: a resort pool, waterpark, playground, sports field, volleyball, hot tub, sauna and a sizable dog park.

3. Paradise by the Sea Beach RV Resort

• Beach access for surfing, swimming and sandcastle building
• On-site bike rentals, pool, hot tub and a sauna
• Located just six miles from LEGOLAND California and only 30 miles from the San Diego Zoo & Safari Park

When there’s a choice, I’m always going to choose the beach. Paradise by the Sea Beach RV Resort in Southern California is adjacent to Buccaneer Park and Beach. Here, you and your family can surf the waves, dine at a beach cafe and compete in a game of basketball. There’s also a playground and picnic areas in the park. Other campground amenities include bike rentals, canoeing/kayaking, a pool, a hot tub and a sauna.  The resort also boasts a dog park, full hookups, a general store, showers, wi-fi, laundry and cable TV. 

The coastal towns of Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas and Camp Pendleton are nearby. Other family-friendly area attractions include the San Diego Zoo & Safari Park and LEGOLAND California.

4. Sun Outdoors at St. Augustine Beach, Florida

• Easy access to Anastasia State Park and the Matanzas River for hiking, fishing and kayaking.
• Campground includes a playground and swimming pool to extend playtime.
• Located just 4 miles from historic downtown St. Augustine.

This KOA-brand campground sits on Anastasia Island and is one of the most popular campgrounds in the St. Augustine area. The campground features 119 campsites with asphalt or dirt pads. With pull-through and back-in sites, the campsites accommodate RVs up to 75 feet long. Campsites include full hookups, grills, tables and chairs, Wi-Fi and cable. Laundry facilities are also available.

Nearby, Anastasia State Park and the Matanzas River beckon adventure seekers with hiking trails, fishing and kayaking options. For downtime at the campground, a playground and a swimming pool keep the kids entertained.

5. Little Arrow Outdoor Resort

• Lounge with movies, book exchange, games and a kids’ playroom for rainy-day entertainment.
• Located just outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park where 522,427 acres of outdoor paradise awaits.
• Zero-entry pool and a hot tub for soaking those sore hiking muscles.

Ideally situated close to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Little Arrow Outdoor Resort adds a touch of luxury to any camping experience. Luxury RV sites include a private covered pavilion, comfortable seating, outdoor sinks with a counter and beautiful landscaping. Each site includes a firepit with a grill grate, picnic table, covered cabana, full hookup, cable and Wi-Fi.

 Quiet hiking trails lead to beautiful views overlooking Townsend. Additional trails border the national park for more tranquil views. You’ll have no problem keeping the kids entertained with an abundance of sports courts, including a basketball court, gaga ball pit and a pickleball court. There’s also a playground, a zero-entry pool, a splash pad and a hot tub.

Other unique amenities include the 24/7 Point & Feather Coffee Lounge serving local coffee. The lounge also includes a movie and book exchange, family-friendly games and a kids’ playroom.

• Family Fun Center with a six-lane bowling alley, arcade games, batting cage, skee ball, pool table and more.
• 11 miles from New River Trail State Park with biking, horseback riding and hiking.
• Special weekend activities for kids in summer months.

Nestled between enticing views of the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains in southwest Virginia, the Wytheville KOA Holiday Campground provides an ideal home base for area explorations. Of course, with all the amenities onsite, you may not convince the kids to leave the campsite.

There’s a pool with a double water slide, gaga ball, mini golf, corn hole, court games and a catch-and-release fishing pond. For indoor fun, the campground’s Bowling and Family Fun Center features a six-lane bowling alley complete with automatic scoring. Here you’ll also find arcade games, a batting cage, skee ball, pool tables and the AOK Café serving made-to-order pizza, wings and doughnuts. Just outside the center, mini golf adds even more fun. If your furry family members are tagging along for your camping vacation, they’ll enjoy the pet playground.

In summer months, weekend activities include a ride on the KOA Express train – an authentic 1924 fire truck, tie-dye/crafts and wagon rides. For kids 12 and under, there’s also a candy hunt.

7. Hersheypark Camping Resort

• Seasonal packages with discounted tickets to Hersheypark.
• Fun country store onsite with yummy slushies.
• Less than two miles from downtown Hershey’s attractions, restaurants and shopping.

Located in the sweetest place on earth, the Hersheypark Camping Resort offers sweet deals with special packages that include discounted tickets and free front gate shuttle service at nearby Hersheypark.

After a day filled with roller coasters, return to your campsite where all RV sites include a fire ring for s’mores-making because this is Chocolate Town! RV sites also feature electric, water and cable hookups. Full hookup sites also include sewer hookups.

You’ll find multiple playgrounds along with basketball, volleyball and shuffleboard for campsite recreation. Open seasonally, an outdoor pool is ideal for cooling off after a busy day in Hersheypark.

 Restrooms and showers are available in the Historic Landis Barn. And the campground’s country store is the place to go for s’mores supplies and delicious slushies.

8. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp Resort: Lazy River

• Located 8 miles from Minnewaska State Park with lakeside beaches, hiking trails, waterfalls and rock climbing.
• Huge water park keeps everyone cool in the summer months.
• Onsite Tiki Snack Bar serves pizzas, wraps and burgers along with adult beverages for the grown-ups.

Big fun awaits at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp Resort in Gardiner, New York. Here the kids (and parents) will love the massive water park, swimming pools, jumping pillows, a mini golf course and sports courts for basketball, tennis, pickleball and shuffleboard. There’s also an arcade, video games, air hockey, sand volleyball, a soccer field and horseshoe pits.

When hunger strikes, check out the pizzas, wraps and burgers at the Tiki Snack Bar. Mom and Dad can also enjoy a libation or two here.  For ice cream, popcorn, hot pretzels and chips, head to the Bear Outpost.

For RVs, there are back-in, pull-thru or buddy sites. Choose from locations close to all the action or quieter private sites along the river. All sites include electric, water and sewer hook-ups, a picnic table and a fire ring. Wi-Fi is available and pets are welcome.

Nearby, bike along the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail or check out the many hiking trails of Minnewaska State Park.

• Located just 25 miles from the Mackinac Island Ferry for access to Mackinac Island.
• Separate playgrounds for small and older children.
• Easy access to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula via the Mackinac Bridge for hiking, biking and chasing waterfalls.

Selected as the #1 Best Campground in America for 2023 by Campspot, the Indian River RV Resort provides an ideal campsite for making memories with your family. The campground features playgrounds for both small and older children, a heated swimming pool, a large dog park, a volleyball area and horseshoes for entertainment.

Camping conveniences include a campground store, laundromat, clean restrooms, firewood with free delivery to your campsite and full propane service.

Adventures await in the surrounding area including boating or fishing on Mullett or Burt Lake, cruising the scenic inland waterways and a day trip to Tahquamenon Falls. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the historic and enchanting Mackinac Island.

10. Dark Sky RV Park & Campground

• Luxury bathhouse with indoor & outdoor private showers – nothing like a shower under the stars!
• A “dinosaur dig” pit with bones and buried treasures and a kid-sized zipline for the little ones
• Located just 33 scenic miles from Zion National Park and only 80 miles from Bryce Canyon National Park

Located in Kanab, Utah, just seven miles above the Arizona border, Dark Sky RV Resort and Campground sits on 40 acres of untouched sagebrush. Campers enjoy unobstructed views of the ever-changing vista across the Red Cliffs, Vermillion Cliffs, and the Kaibab Plateau. In this stunning location, you’ll awake to epic sunrises and end the evening with brilliant sunsets. And if you sit outside after dark, you’ll be treated to a canopy of the brightest stars in Southern Utah.  

For this campground, the adventures take place outdoors with an abundance of hiking trails, off-roading trails, slot canyons, hidden lakes, sand caves and more. E-bikes and off-road vehicles are available for rent to enhance your explorations across the stunning landscapes. 

At the campsite, kids will enjoy a dig pit with bones and buried treasures and a kid-sized zipline. An enclosed dog park gives the pups a space to run free. On Thursdays, guests are invited to join fellow campers on the terrace for a social hour with food and drinks. 

Luxury amenities include a modern bathhouse with private bath suites featuring heated floors and indoor/outdoor showers, an open-air laundry facility, furniture and firepits and an outdoor kitchen with grill and Ooni pizza oven. Full hook-ups and excellent Wi-Fi are also included