There are many ways to camp with the kids. Here are five to consider.
1. REI Signature Camping. For those families that want to go deep into a national park but also appreciate a deluxe experience, you have options. Oversized tents are outfitted with cots, comfy bedding, floor coverings and lighting. Community areas are a great gathering place for families as hammocks, covered dining areas, outdoor games and twinkle lighting create a festive atmosphere. French press coffee will be delivered to your tent and regional cuisine is served to hungry explorers upon return to camp. Destinations include Zion, Yosemite and the Great Smoky Mountains.
Contact: rei.com/adventures
2. Starlite Classic Campground, Canon City, Colo. Take a trip down memory lane when you stay in a vintage camper. Think pink during an overnight in the Classic Sally camper. Explain the antics of Lucy and Desi Arnaz to the kids when you sleep in the 1950s-style Tacy, reminiscent of the “long, long trailer” the famous pair used for their traveling escapades. How about snoozing in the Flamingo Lounge, complete with the iconic pink yard ornaments out front. Plan a visit to the nearby Royal Gorge Bridge, the highest suspension bridge in the country. You can also catch the gorge and Arkansas River views from aboard an historic train during a scenic 24-mile outing.
Contact: starliteclassiccampground.com
3. Georgia State Parks. New to camping? The Georgia State Parks First Time Camper Program goes a long way toward making the experience as stress-free as possible by offering loaner gear. Thanks to donations from Coleman, REI and North Face, newbies can spend two nights in a campground with all the right gear, including marshmallow roasting sticks. Park staff and volunteers will provide any help you might need setting up your tent or getting settled before leaving you and your family to enjoy the starry night’s show.
Contact: gastateparks.org/firsttimecamper
4. Mount Washington Valley, N.H. By day, discover natural swimming holes and waterfalls. Hike in the expansive White Mountain National Forest. Paddle along the Saco River. Choose your home base from eight family-oriented campgrounds in Mount Washington Valley, each of which is in the shadow of the tallest peak in the northeast. Sleep in tents, bring an RV or access a family cabin. The campgrounds offer themed events and amenities with families in mind.
Contact: mtwashingtonvalley.org
5. C Lazy U, Granby, Colo. Enjoy a day filled with scenic trail rides, hiking or fishing and dinner in the lodge. Then retreat to your own outpost, guided by a ranch hand, where spacious, fully furnished tents await. Enjoy stories and s’mores around the campfire before settling under cozy covers. Two tents are available, one with a king bed, another with three twins. Wake to fresh air, a stunning landscape and the prospect of yet another day of mountain adventure.
Contact: clazyu.com
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(Lynn O'Rourke Hayes is the editor of FamilyTravel.com. Email her at lohayes@FamilyTravel.com.)
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