Finding a camping spot that will be a hit for every member of your family is no easy task. To strike the right balance of fun and downtime, locating an RV park that’s close to the action, while also offering abundant activities to enjoy within steps of your campsite, is essential.
Whether your crew is craving national park getaways, theme park thrills, water-based attractions, or endless miles of hiking and biking, these campgrounds are sure to deliver an unforgettable experience for toddlers, teens, and everyone in between.
8 Kid-Friendly Glamping Locations
1. Pigeon Forge-Gatlinburg KOA in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
When it comes to kid-friendly activities, KOA resorts are designed to please. Featuring train rides, a playground, a bounce pillow, and more, the Pigeon Forge-Gatlinburg KOA is full of the sort of tot-approved activities you’d expect to find in a family entertainment-themed resort in the Smoky Mountains. But what truly sets this RV park apart is the pool. Offering much more than just a simple swimming hole, the property boasts a sizable year-round heated lazy river that’s guaranteed to provide your family with hours of splishing and splashing fun.
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2. Campland on the Bay in San Diego, California
If you prefer swimming in saltwater, the expansive Campland on the Bay allows you to step out of your rig and into the idyllic climate and sandy beach environs of San Diego. The campground’s attractive location makes it easy to keep an eye on the kids as they wade into the bay, build sandcastles, and engage in watersports. In addition to the beach, the campground features swimming pools, a playground, bike and boat rentals, a video arcade, a sports court, arts and crafts, and more.
The park’s website boasts that it’s “San Diego’s favorite campground,” and with waterfront RV spots and other exhilarating amenities, your family is likely to agree.
3. Jellystone Park of Estes Park in Estes Park, Colorado
Anyone up for a game of laser tag? How about mini golf, gem mining, swimming, gaga ball, or air hockey? Jellystone Park of Estes Park offers all this and more, including a game room, playgrounds, a bounce pillow, and a bevy of seasonal activities, making this mountain view campground an ideal family-friendly getaway spot.
If you can tear your little ones away from the park’s amenities, you’ll also find fun activities in the surrounding area, which provides plenty of touristy offerings, along with epic mountain hikes through scenic Rocky Mountains National Park.
4. Mount Rushmore KOA at Palmer Gulch in Hill City, South Dakota
KOA’s second-largest campground can be found just next door to South Dakota’s Mount Rushmore. And while seeing the presidents, along with the other stunning state and national parks tucked within the rolling Black Hills, should be high on any family’s vacation wish list, the Mount Rushmore KOA is truly a destination unto itself.
From impressive water play areas to on-site horse stables, a climbing wall, UTV rentals, chuck wagon dinner shows, and even a winery and taproom for the adults to enjoy, this remarkable resort is sure to leave a lasting impression on even the hardest to impress youngsters.
5. Rippling River Resort in Marquette, Michigan
While playgrounds are great for the little tykes, families traveling with teens and tweens may prefer an environment that offers outdoor activities with higher skill and thrill levels. This is an area where Rippling River Resort shines. Located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, this riverfront campground boasts access to 150 miles of mountain biking trails that range in difficulty from novice to expert.
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The resort is also a great option for winter camping and glamping. Here you can ski right out of your cabin or campsite directly to the base of Marquette Mountain, or set off on a snowshoe or snowmobile expedition through the surrounding wilderness, before unwinding for the night in the campground’s hot tub.
6. Hersheypark Camping Resort in Hershey, Pennsylvania
Hersheypark Camping Resort features family-friendly offerings for all ages, including a pool, shuffleboard, basketball and volleyball courts, seasonal activities, and access to a variety of adventures, including kayaking, fishing, and climbing. But the biggest attraction is no doubt the free shuttle to the campground’s namesake theme park, Hersheypark.
Featuring gentle kiddie rides and epic, hair-raising roller coasters, not to mention a bounty of Hershey-branded candy-coated snack options, Hersheypark offers endless opportunities to make memories. And with so many sweet things to see and do, the park’s camping resort offers the perfect spot to sleep off your sugar crash.
7. Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida
No list of family-friendly campgrounds would be complete without a mention of what’s often regarded as the best RV park for kids: Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. Taking your kids to Walt Disney World is a rite of passage, and the magic of Disney can be found throughout the sprawling on-site campground as well. Offering easy access to the theme parks, a host of kid-approved amenities and daily activities, and a chance to view the illuminated Electrical Water Pageant from the resort’s sandy beach, this upscale property is destined to be a favorite for your family.
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For a little extra dose of magic, book a stay during any holiday to enjoy the over-the-top festive displays that campers are known to construct at their campsites.
