Camping as a family is amazing. That said, you will want to make sure you choose the right family-friendly campground so that your family RV camping trip goes off without a hitch.
The good news? There are tons of amazing family-friendly RV parks out there, and we are going to tell you exactly how to find them! We’ve also included a list of some of the best family campgrounds in the country so you know exactly where to go for an excellent camping trip with the kids.
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6 Things to Look For in Family-Friendly RV Parks
First, let’s talk about what you should look for when shopping for a family-friendly RV park. Really, there are just a few key things to keep in mind, and as long as you know what you’re looking for, you shouldn’t have any trouble at all finding a kid-friendly campground no matter where you’d like to roam.
Location
Location is key. You want to be close enough to whatever attractions and sights you plan to see that the kids won’t be stuck riding in the car for hours on end. That said, many of the best campgrounds are located outside of major cities, meaning you will need to find a balance between proximity to attractions and any in-campground amenities offered.
Amenities
Speaking of amenities, those should play a huge role in choosing a kid-friendly campground. You will want to make sure the campground provides clean bathrooms that you feel comfortable taking your kids to. A laundry room can also be extremely helpful when camping with messy kids, and a dog park is nice if you will have pets in tow.
Campsites
The campsites themselves matter as well. As a family, you’ll likely be in a bigger rig than that of, say, a solo traveler. Will your RV fit in the campsites? Do the sites include full hookups so you don’t have to worry about electricity or water usage? Are the sites paved? If not, will you be dealing with a lot of dirt, mud, or sand being tracked in by little feet?
Activities
Activities are probably the most fun thing to think about when choosing an RV campground for your family. These include onsite swimming pools, sports courts, game rooms, and playgrounds. GaGa ball pits are common in campgrounds; some even have jumping pillows and water slides. On top of that, many campgrounds offer planned activities for families. These can include hayrides, campfires stories, crafts, and more.
The more activities a campground offers, the busier your kids will stay and the happier everyone will be.
Internet Availability
If you are heading out on an RV trip to unplug and get away from technology, this one does not matter in the slightest. That said, internet connectivity might be crucial if your kids need to keep up with schoolwork or if you have work to do while you’re gone.
In this case, look for a campground that provides Wi-Fi in the lodge or recreation room, and plan to head to the building each day to complete your work. Another option is to make sure the campground has cell service so you can use a mobile hotspot to connect to the internet.
Getting a Starlink plan for RVers is also possible, but this is a big investment and is only worthwhile if you travel regularly.
Safety
Last but certainly not least, you will want to consider the safety of the campground you plan to visit. Is it in a safe part of town? Does it have onsite security and a locked gate? Do the amenities look well-maintained and clean?
Of course, even if the campground you choose looks and feels 100% safe, it is still important that you always, always keep an eye on your kids.
9 Best Family-Friendly Campgrounds in the U.S.
Still not convinced you can pick a perfect family campground? Not to worry, we’ve made things easy by listing our absolute favorite family RV parks across the country. Pick and choose from this list and you honestly cannot go wrong.
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground
Easily the best family-friendly campground in the country, Disney’s Fort Wilderness campground is located on Disney property in Florida. Amenities include multiple pools, a water slide, onsite character dining and entertainment, horseback riding, archery, and boat and bus transportation to the Disney parks.
One of our favorite things about this campground? The nightly campfires which feature live music entertainment and a visit from Chip and Dale.
Rent an RV near Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground!
Ocean Lakes Family Campground
Ocean Lakes Family Campground is another fantastic pick that definitely earns a spot on this list. Located in Myrtle Beach, the campground is surrounded on all sides by things to see and do, but you might just find you don’t want to leave the RV park at all.
The campground—which could almost be considered a village in and of itself—is located on the beach, meaning you can walk to the water from your campsite. The onsite game room is one of the best we’ve ever seen, and there are playgrounds, pools, and water slides that are sure to keep the kids busy. Best of all, this campground hosts amazing activities all year long, including one of the best Halloween celebrations in the country.
Rent an RV near Ocean Lakes Campground!
Thousand Trails Orlando
More laid back than Ocean Lakes or Fort Wilderness, Thousand Trails Orlando is another Florida park that we think deserves a spot on this list. Why? Because the park is chock-full of kiddos all year long, meaning tons of amazing child-led play.
Most families that visit TTO stay in the “B-loop.” This is where the kids like to gather and play games like tag, red rover, tug-of-war, and more. In addition to all the kid-led fun, the park also boasts two swimming pools, a mini golf course, pickleball courts, basketball courts, a playground, and staff-led activities.
The park is also close to Disney World and all the other attractions found in the Orlando area.
Rent an RV near Thousand Trails Orlando!
America’s Best Campground
Located in Branson, MO, America’s Best Campground is small in comparison to a park like Fort Wilderness, but it’s still tons of fun for families. The park plays host to a lovely little swimming pool as well as a playground, sports courts, and a GaGa ball pit. The dog park is perfect for pets, the free game and DVD rentals make things even more fun, and the proximity to attractions like Silver Dollar City is just wonderful.
All that said, our absolute favorite thing about this campground is the staff. You’d have a hard time finding a more friendly and welcoming staff, and the activities they put on for families are top-notch.
Rent an RV near America’s Best Campground!
Outdoorsy Yosemite
Planning a visit to Yosemite National Park? Outdoorsy Yosemite is the spot for you! This campground is located right outside of the national park, making it easy to pop in, do some hiking or exploring, and be home again in time for nap time.
Amenities in the campground include a sparkling pool, ping-pong and foosball tables, and a well-shaded playground. During the summer, the campground also hosts activities like live music, movie nights, and craft times.
The staff here are lovely, the scenery is beautiful, and we have a hard time thinking of a better place to spend a California vacation.
Rent an RV near Outdoorsy Yosemite!
Mt. Hood Village Resort
Mt. Hood Village Resort is located in the adorable mountain town of Mt. Hood Village, just outside of Portland, Oregon. We love that it is close enough to the big city for some city adventures, but far enough out to find some peace and tranquility.
The campground features all kinds of family fun, including an indoor swimming pool, an awesome game room, and a lovely playground. Planned activities will keep the whole family busy, and the sports courts and nature trails ensure everyone stays active.
Rent an RV near Mount Hood Village Resort!
Gettysburg Farm Campground
Hoping to learn a little about history during your RV getaway? For that, there’s no better destination than Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and the best place to stay while visiting Gettysburg just happens to be Gettysburg Farm Campground.
The main draw here is the working farm, which houses a variety of farm animals. The animals are friendly and most are happy for you to pet them. Kids are even invited into the cages to help feed the animals on a daily basis, which is totally thrilling for little ones.
Other amenities in Gettysburg Farm Campground include a well-kept pool, a couple of small playgrounds, a camp store, and organized activities during the summer months.
Rent an RV near Gettysburg Farm Campground!
All KOA Campgrounds
Don’t want to visit any of the spots listed above? Don’t worry, there are plenty of other family-friendly campgrounds all across the country. If you want to play it safe, consider choosing one of the many KOA parks all over the United States. These campgrounds are all well-maintained and family-friendly. Most include amenities like playgrounds, planned activities, and swimming pools, and the majority also have dog parks.
All Jellystone Parks
You might also want to look into Jellystone Parks. Like KOA, they have locations all across the country, but some consider them even more family-friendly. These campgrounds tend to feature pools and playgrounds, and some even have water slides, GaGa ball pits, jumping pillows, mini golf, and character meet-and-greet events. Most also offer plenty of planned activities for the whole family.
As you can see, finding a family-friendly campground for your family’s RV trip is not a hard thing to do at all. Use these tips and suggestions to plan an amazing RV getaway for your crew and enjoy some memories that’ll last a lifetime!
