Best Camping: 8 Family-Friendly Campgrounds in the US

There’s something about the idea of camping that pulls at the heartstrings: connecting with your family with no devices or WiFi to distract you, feeling like a kid again, s’mores by the fire, immersing yourself in nature. It’s no wonder that camping is more popular than ever right now. We checked in with the folks at Pitchup.com and Campspot.com to get their recommendations for the most beautiful and family-friendly campgrounds around the country. And while it might be awhile before you can actually get to these places, you’re going to love these visually stunning locations that will have you dreaming of summer nights camping under the stars.

Camping at Huttopia – New Hampshire and Maine

A pioneer in glamping, Huttopia has been running outdoor resorts for over 20 years that combine nature, comfort and aesthetics in preserved natural sites. Huttopia is a family-owned company originally established in Lyon, France by a couple who loves the art of camping and the great outdoors. All Huttopia locations include an outdoor swimming pool, a café, bistro area and a well-stocked grocery store. Activities are organized all summer long — including live outdoor music, storytelling for kids and magic shows for the whole family. Huttopia currently has two US locations in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and in Southern Maine’s beaches region, with a third outpost set to open in California in 2021.

READ MORE: “The Best Coastal Maine Road Trip Stops”

Camping at Letchworth State Park – Finger Lakes, New York

Considered the “Grand Canyon of the East,” Letchworth State Park offers plenty of majestic areas to camp. The main focal point is the Genesee River, which roars over three major waterfalls and has cliffs soaring to 600 feet. Campers can choose between secluded cabins or campsites with access to plenty of amenities. Think showers, food concessions, picnic tables, pavilions, playing fields, a playground and even a swimming pool. Surrounded by lush forests, there are 66 miles of hiking trails plus paths for horseback riding and biking. Letchworth also offers nature and history programs, guided walks and tours, whitewater rafting, kayaking and hot air ballooning. See how Instagramable it is here.

READ MORE: “Finger Lakes Family Vacations”

Camping at Bear Run Campground – Portersville, Pennsylvania

For 44 years, the Wehr family has been welcoming guests to Bear Run Campground in the heart of western Pennsylvania. Available for booking on Campspot, the campground features 60 acres of rolling land to explore in the middle of Moraine State Park, as well as access to Lake Arthur for canoeing and kayaking. Owner Robert Wehr designed the park with a variety of camp areas and greenways, and the 100-site, full-service camping park also includes a heated pool, a kids’ gem mine and many more outdoor activities.

Camping at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort – Golden Valley, North Carolina

Tucked away at the base of the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains, and conveniently located between Asheville and Charlotte, Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Golden Valley, North Carolina was built with family getaways in mind. Available for booking on Campspot, the scenic 600+ acre campground features luxury cabins and lodges with all the comforts of home, full hook-up RV sites, glamping tents with lake views and premium tent sites. Campers can spend the day enjoying nature (canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hiking, biking) or take advantage of all the amenities, including an interactive water playground with water slides, a swimming pool, sports courts, laser tag games, arts and crafts, 18-hole mini golf course, playground. There are also numerous planned activities and themed weeks throughout the summer.

READ MORE: “The Best Glamping: Three Affordable Places Your Family Will Love”

Camping at Mountain Glen RV Park and Campground – Pikeville, Tennessee

Mountain Glen — an affordable tent and RV campground located on Tennessee’s Cumberland Plateau, less than two hours from Nashville — has all the makings of a traditional summer camping trip. Your family will enjoy fishing and swimming, hiking and biking — all while taking in the beautiful views of America’s heartland. And a bonus: Mountain Glen is located just a 15-minute drive from Fall Creek Falls State Park, which has 26,000 scenic acres of forests, caves, gorges and waterfalls, including the mighty Fall Creek Falls, complete with a natural plunge pool.

Camping at Kickstands Campground – Sturgis, South Dakota

South Dakota’s Black Hills make a picture-perfect backdrop for camping at the newly-remodeled Kickstands Campground, which offers affordable tent and RV sites easily bookable on Pitchup.com. It’s an ideal location to make the most of the gorgeous views and mild summer weather. Plus, it’s close to the famed Black Hills Run, which is great for hiking, biking and – for brave families — motorcycle riding. After all, Sturgis is home to the famous annual motorcycle festival.

READ MORE: “8 Great Things For Kids to See and Do in South Dakota”

Camping at Goose Creek RV Park and Campground – Wilbur, Washington

The Goose Creek campground is situated in a spacious park in central Washington’s wheat country, offering campers a peaceful escape in the western wilderness. A restful night’s sleep is guaranteed at this remote campground after partaking in the available outdoor activities such as birdwatching, fishing and quad biking.

Camping at Tahuya Adventure Resort – Belfair, Washington

Families looking for a plush glamping experience can book one of the fully-furnished safari tents at Tahuya Adventure Resort on Pitchup.com. You’ll be able to explore Tahuya State Forest’s 23,000 acres of woodlands, hike on over 300 miles of trails and go freshwater fishing in between relaxing evenings back at the resort. Families can have their own freestanding tent away from others, and all surrounding outdoor activities lend themselves to social distancing — think hiking, fishing and ATVing.

READ MORE: “A 10-Day Road Trip Through Washington State”