For every camper with a family, there is a fond memory that rests just behind the forehead, so close to the surface, reminding us of a time when camping was as simple as starting your vehicle and heading toward some wild space. There might be people there, and there might not. There was gear in the back ready for any kind of weather. And if you got wet, no worries. One wet night when you’re alone isn’t a big deal. But then a family comes along, and things change. There are other mouths to feed; the responsibility of other people’s lives is one thing, but when you get away from screens, friends, sports, and organized play, you become responsible for nearly every hour of every day to keep the crew entertained.
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This is a bit dramatic, but you see the point. This guide is to help you consider everything you’ll need to keep the family in tow while everyone still has fun. Are there hikes a 76-year-old can do without being carried out? Is there a swimming hole? Are there bathrooms? Showers? These are different requests from “How far away from civilization can I get?” The goal used to be, How far can I go and never see another person. And now we are hoping that the people in the camp next door have someone around my kids’ ages.
This is a simple guide for summer camping destinations for families. While there are a few destination spots here that are primed for the whole family, let’s start with a guide of what to consider for your family when camping time comes this summer.
What Makes a Great Family Summer Camping Destination?
There are certain excursions that will embed core memories in your children that are absolutely worth the trip and effort. There may be an arch or a waterfall you remember from your childhood that has been specially imprinted on you. You may want to share this with your progeny. But if it’s too far from a toilet, the hike is fully exposed, or it’s a mess trying to get things going, the core memory is going to be the struggle it was to have fun, and the insistence that you made to have that fun. Instead, consider the features that need to be present in order to have a good time. Once those are nailed down, the core memory will come naturally.
The 5 must-haves for family summer camping:
- Accessible water: This seems like a no-brainer, but it’s only a no-brainer because we live our lives 5 feet from a tap with clean, fresh water. If you’re tromping around in southern Arizona and the last gas station you passed is an hour ago, and you still don’t have water, you’re not going to have a good day. You should plan for at least one gallon per person per day. If you’re providing for a whole family, sometimes it’s just easier to make sure your campsite has a fresh tap there. Tap water usually means other offerings as well. Which brings up the next feature:
- Camp amenities: If you need to “go”, or only one person needs to, it’s no problem. But different ages and different genders, with different needs, all complicate the bathroom situation. Having running water, flushed toilets, and even a shower greatly increases the odds of a fun and successful trip. The idea is to provide as much fun in the wild as possible with the least amount of resistance. Solid camp amenities help immensely.
- Trail variety: It doesn’t matter if you’re on sandstone, in a slot canyon, up a pinewood forest, or off a beach; if you are camping, there are bound to be trails. The idea is to have at least 3 launchpads from your campsite. If there are 3 trailheads within a few miles of camp, then the opportunity to endlessly explore is an option. While hiking to a specific location or viewpoint is ideal, bringing a lunch along and hiking until you find a shady spot is also an option. The idea here is to make it fun, but not a huge or complete commitment for everyone at hand. Keep options for your trail travelers.
- Ranger programs and Visitor Centers: National Parks, State Parks, Natural Monuments, and more, all frequently have programs for youngsters to get involved in. These are great for a couple of reasons. The first being that when you have a State Park staff member encouraging your children about the wild, you have an advocate. Another adult who agrees that your crazy passion is valid. Secondly, while you’ll need to be present for the classes, it’s a great, partially hands-on way to spend the day. They plan the activities, and you don’t have to think too hard for a while.
- Reservability: The summer fills up fast. This summer, last summer, next summer, when most people think about camping, they think about the summer. Some places, like Zion National Park and Yosemite, will fill up months in advance. Just heading out blind, hoping to catch an open spot, just isn’t going to fly. One core memory you don’t want the kids to have is crashing in a shoddy motel outside of town at 2:00 am. Reserve the spot.
If you keep these 5 factors in mind, the chances of establishing some core camping memories are bound to happen. Let’s take a look at a few places that have all of these features.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee/North Carolina
This is the most visited national park in the country, and for good reason: it’s approachable, endlessly varied, and genuinely magical in the summer. The temps are never too harsh, and the scenery presents some of the best views you’ll ever see. The Smokies earn their family reputation on multiple accounts. Cades Cope Loop Road is an 11-mile scenic drive where white-tailed deer, black bears, and wild turkeys are often on the bingo card, and there is no hiking required.
For families that are tired of the ride and ready to get out and on the trail, a good warm-up hike to kick the camping trip off is Laurel Falls. This is a paved, 2.6-mile round trip to one of the most photographed waterfalls in the park. The views are stunning, the greenery is shocking, and it’s just the right hike to get the blood pumping. For older kids, Andrews Bald at the top of the Clingman’s Dome trail delivers the summit views that they will regard as the ultimate payoff.
Elkmont campground is the family campground of choice. It sits along the Little River and provides all the amenities and has swimming holes for some close-to-camp fun. In late June, synchronized fireflies dance in humid air, and these sparkling bugs stop everyone in their tracks, from children to grandparents. Everyone enjoys the phenomenon.
Glacier National Park, Montana
If there is a more beautiful location on God’s green Earth, you would be hard-pressed to find it. The wildlife, the scenery, the slight hint of danger that an impending storm could appear or a bear could emerge from the thick forest, all of it adds to the splendor and wildness of this country. This park is dramatic without being inaccessible, which is a rare thing to find in the West.
You’ll want to head to Going-to-the-Sun Road, which is the centerpiece. This 50-mile scenic highway crosses the Continental Divide and provides absolutely magical views that don’t require a step, which matters when you’re traveling with a range of ages and abilities.
St. Mary and Apgar campgrounds are the way to go for the family amenities. There is something to keep in mind here. When you’re in Montana, you’re in the Northern Rocky Mountains. The varying weather and the impending storms that seem to be looming around every cloud mean that you need a durable tent. When we’re talking about family getaways, there is nothing better than a canvas tent, and for the Northern Rockies, you’ll want the best.
Acadia National Park, Maine
Acadia is the East Coast’s best argument for family camping, and it’s consistently underestimated by families who default to the big national parks out West. It really does have everything: ocean, mountains, tide pools, carriage roads, and a small town (Bear Harbor) just a short drive from the campground.
The 45-mile network of gravel and carriage roads will keep all ages occupied in any weather, at any time of day. It’s perfectly graded and keeps the speeds down because you’ll see bikes and walkers throughout the day.
The Beehive Trail is perfect for ferrata-style hiking with steel rungs mounted into the rock. This is genuinely exciting for the older kids who are looking for a little thrill. Jordan Pond Path is much more mellow for the younger or less-adventurous kids looking to get immersed in the wild.
Reservation note: Blackwoods Campground is the primary family site. Reserve through Recreation.gov as early as possible. Acadia summers are fully committed and coveted by locals and previous visitors. Not everyone looks it over, for sure.
That’s Not All
These are some prime examples of perfect family locations to spend the summer and get some quality camping for everyone of any age or interest. But as mentioned above in Glacier National Park, when it comes to the family tent for these excursions, here is a guide to help you out. For families, a canvas tent is the way to go, but there are options there. A bell tent is more stylish and easier to set up, while a wall tent will have more practical floor space and be able to hold up to any kind of inclement weather. The location is only half the fun. What you do when you get there is what matters, and making sure your shelter can keep up with your crew is a need, not a want.
These places above cover some awesome spots for family camping, but here is a list of other places that are equally beautiful and accommodating as the destinations above:
- Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
- Arches and Canyonlands National Park, Utah
- Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
- Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming
- Yosemite National Park, California
- Zion National Park, Utah
All of these locations are ideal for families. They have largely been modernized and have been equipped to accommodate the massive amounts of tourists that come around in the summer months. The beauty and access to our public lands are born into our national identity. When people think about the United States, the most positive features come from the rugged beauty that inhabits this space. Enjoy your time out there, and take good care.
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