Families from all across America are bound by tradition to go camping. There is nothing quite like hitting the road and having fun outdoors with your own folks.

Whether you want to experience cuddling your kids close to the campfire or sleeping soundly after staring up at the starry sky, there is always a sense of togetherness when exploring nature with your family. While you’re enjoying nighttime comfort and extra snacks, you can see it’s a different experience with kids in tow, especially when you need to slow down and look after them. We’ve listed the top 10 kid-friendly camping destinations in the U.S. Hopefully, the kids will enjoy them too!

Camping Destinations

Here is the list of a variety of kid-friendly camping destinations you can with your little ones. If you have an exclusive membership, you might get a discount and more from the campgrounds we’ve listed below.

Snake River Campground, Nebraska

At the lake, you can find sugar-white beaches to spend your days swimming and boating around. Every summer night, the campgrounds host a “star party,” so be sure to come in season or you’ll miss it.

Other stellar activities to pair with this is making rockets out of soda bottles, which is included in the program. Ride a canoe down the Niobrara River and try to spot the occasional blue herons and bald eagles.

Welcome, Peter Holcombe and the “Famagogo,” family. Thanks for chatting with us at Camping World about your RV experience!

Q. Tell us a bit about yourself, and what first drew you to RV travel? 

A. While we’ve always traveled extensively, we never actually planned on becoming RVers. Originally, we had planned a year-long road trip in a van that we converted ourselves. But Peter’s dad begged us to go look at a few RVs before we purchased a van. And with our first step into a Winnebago View, we felt like we found both a vehicle and a home. And because we felt completely at home on the road, one year turned into two, then three…and here we are on our eighth year of full-time RV living with no end in sight.

Q. Describe your travel style in five words or less! 

A. Driven by adventure.

While being the country’s least populous state, what Wyoming lacks in people, it makes up for in natural wonders. With over 109 mountain ranges including 7 national parks and monuments, the state offers endless outdoor opportunities and the chance to explore some of the most breathtaking landscapes in North America.

Wind River Range

Though one could easily assume the Tetons claimed the state’s highest mountain, the Wind River Range is actually home to over 40 peaks over 13,000 feet, including Wyoming’s tallest- Gannett Peak. Located in the west-central region of the state, the “Winds” follows the Great Continental Divide, featuring over 1,300 lakes and the single largest glacier in the American Rockies. Its remote wilderness encompasses an area of 2.25 million acres and provides 600 miles of trails that beckon outdoor enthusiasts.

While planning a visit to the Wind River Range, Pinedale serves as a perfect basecamp and your best bet to find supplies. In order to access this untamed land, be prepared for a 20 mile drive down a dirt road that takes every bit of two hours with a trailer. For those that don’t mind a little adventure, I can guarantee you every one of those washboards was worth the views you will be awarded once you reach Green River Lakes. Here, you’ll find the trailhead into the Bridger Wilderness and ample camping, between the national forest campground and dispersed sites along the gravel road. The majestic views of Square Top mountain, perhaps the most iconic of all the Wind’s peaks, can be seen from the campground as well as the remnants of several abandoned homesteads. Whether you’re looking for a day-hike or a multi-day trek, this is a great jumping off point into the Wind River Range. For an incredible and relatively easy day hike, take the 10-mile Highline Loop Trail that meanders along the shore, meadow, and forest. If you prefer a more strenuous backpacking adventure, take the 24-mile Cirque of the Towers Loop via the Big Sandy trailhead that showcases summer wildflowers, pristine lakes and rivers, and stunning views of glacially carved peaks.

Welcome, Demetrius and family! Thanks for chatting with us at Camping World about your RV experience!

Q. Tell us a bit about yourself, and what first attracted you to RV travel?

A. My wife and I love to try different things, go different places, and we want to see more of the world especially here in the US. Watching YouTube videos on van life and living life different fueled our desire to wanting to own an RV. We both made this a goal and wanted it part of our life journey together to make memories.

Q. Describe your travel style in five words or less! Where too?

A. Let’s go!!

Whether you’re looking for an RV that will help you improve your fuel consumption on the road or you just need a lightweight travel trailer to get you where you’re going, we can help. These five incredible RVs under 5500 lbs are easy-to-tow and feature a variety of floorplans that will fit your needs. Learn more below.

Forest River Cherokee Wolf Pup 18TO Travel Trailer

Take home the Forest River Cherokee Wolf Pup 18TO travel trailer today, and you’ll find sleeping for five with a beautiful interior that will make you feel right at home. The hidden bunk is ideal for providing sleeping space at night and folds away to reveal a sofa during the day. You’ll find that the galley kitchen gives you plenty of room to make your favorite campground meals. 

Additional Features:

Hidden BunkSofaDinettePrivate Toilet & Tub/ShowerOutside Storage

There are some things that are just better in summer, like swimming in a lake, spending long evenings outside and eating your fill of watermelon! This juicy and refreshing fruit is the perfect way to cool off on those hot summer days. But instead of basic and plain watermelon, why not skip the typical slices and make a delicious and tasty watermelon salsa instead?

If you’re a fan of chips and salsa (and who isn’t?), this fresh fruit salsa is the perfect way to shake up your typical salsa or dip. Instead of a tomato base, this recipe calls for chunks of fresh watermelon, crunchy cucumber, zesty lime and cooling mint. It’s a great mix of salty and sweet, and even spicy if you choose to add a jalapeno or two. It’s a perfect treat to enjoy after an intense hike or after a long drive day and setting up camp. And you can even make it in one bowl, so there’s not a lot of clean-up.

While the salsa can be made before you leave on your camping trip, this recipe is best when it is fresh. If it’s easier, you can chop up all the ingredients before you leave and then just mix them together at the campsite. But this recipe really shines when you make it right before you serve it. Luckily, it’s incredibly easy to make and only involves chopping a few fruits and vegetables!

Besides eating this as a delicious dip (or straight out of the bowl with a spoon!), try using it as a topping for grilled chicken, fish or fish tacos. Can’t get enough watermelon this summer? Try our Grilled Watermelon Salad with Goat Cheese and Basil recipe for another tasty summertime camping dish.

We’ve been RVing for about a decade now, and believe it or not, we’ve always been able to drink the water that has come through our RV’s plumbing system. At first, this may have been just through ignorance. As a new RVer, I simply wasn’t aware of all the ins and outs of RVing, and drinking water from the tap seemed completely “normal”. Fortunately, nobody ever got sick. These days, I pay more attention. Our water is better for it, and we drink our RV’s water with complete confidence.

I know many RVers who choose to bring along bottled water for drinking. They use the water from their fixtures mainly for showering and washing dishes. There’s no one right answer here, and this is a completely valid way to go about it. But for Stef and I, being into fitness and cycling… we tend to go through a lot of water. We’d have to bring along a lot of bottled water to make that work. And we’re not that crazy about the cost, the storage requirements, or the plastic waste that comes with bottled water. So for us, drinking the water from our RV makes good sense.

I’ve been known to go “over the top” on a lot of things. But I don’t think there’s any harm in overdoing “clean drinking water.” The more we know about our health, the better. So I’ll share with you what we do, as full-time RVers, to drink our RV’s water with confidence and safety.

Basic Clean Drinking Water Equipment

The Hose

If you’re new to RVing, there are a few basic items you’re going to need. The first are drinking water hoses. RV fresh water hoses are either white or blue. You might be tempted to save a few bucks by using extra hoses you may have around, but don’t. Just…don’t. Here’s why.

You never know when some well-meaning friend or neighbor may decide to help you with your hookups, or with rinsing out your sewer hose. By keeping your hose colors on the same page as everyone else, you avoid any unintentional mistakes in this area. Besides the potential mistakes, the freshwater hoses are also guaranteed not to leach any unwanted chemicals into your water. So please, stick with white or blue.

As the weather cools, it just feels good to be outside grilling, laughing, relaxing, and cheering on your favorite team. Tailgating season means good food, good friends, and good games. Let the tailgating begin! Whether you camp out at the arena, the campground, or just out in your yard, the spirit of tailgating makes any sporting event more fun.

Chances are someone in your friend or family group tailgates, whether it’s at the kids’ soccer game or the NFL playoffs. Tailgating is all about indulging in those extra accessories that make outdoor dining and entertaining so much fun. Consider gifting your tailgating friends something they’ll really use. Or put a few of these items on your wish list.

Here is our favorite gear for tailgating.

Toyhauler RV

Tailgating starts and ends with the RV. For this kind of camping, a toy hauler is one of the best. Drop down the rear garage and you’ve got yourself an awesome indoor-outdoor entertaining space. Set up two TVs, one inside and one outside, so guests can watch the game wherever they want. Or, stream two different games at once. Deck out your patio space with plenty of seating and tables, so everyone has somewhere to put their drink. When you need a refill, just head inside and grab a cold one from the fridge.

2021 Keystone Raptor Toy Hauler.

Cooking Gear

Tailgating food often overshadows the main event–the game! Hearty and satisfying, tailgating food should be full of fresh flavor: smoked meats, savory dips, salty finger food. Level up your menu with the camp cooking trifecta: a smoker, grill, and griddle. A set of grill tools and a digital thermometer complete your chef set up. Keep it all organized in a grill caddy or basket stocked with your favorite seasonings and rubs. Feeling rusty cooking over the flame? Brush up on barbecue tips with NFL’er and RVer, Keith Sims. Don’t forget to keep the bugs away from your food with bug repellent products designed to create an invisible barrier around your campsite.

Sometimes you need to get away from it all. The hustle and bustle of life may have caught up to you. If you’re in California, you may be ready to throw your phone off the Golden Gate Bridge and run towards the hills.

I get it, and I’m totally on board for that. It’s important to get away from the tourism hot spots every now and then, and there are many perks to wilderness camping. It’s quiet, peaceful, the air is fresh and crisp, and you don’t have to worry about people breathing down your neck all the time.

In this guide, I’m going to highlight all the benefits of staying away from the big crowds with these wilderness fantastic camping locations in Northern California.

Olema Campground

Located next to the Point Reyes National Seashore, you can explore 65,000 acres of unspoiled wilderness. You’ve got wine country in one direction, San Francisco in another, and miles upon miles of splendid wild bliss in the other.

If you plan to travel in your RV while working, it’s important you have somewhere to work. Your workspace doesn’t need to be complicated. In fact, the more simple your setup–the better! Whether you’re a freelancer, part-time employee, or juggling a traditional 9-5 from the road, it can all be done. We’ll show you how. Ideally, you will want to trim down those needs and be as minimalist as you can. Pare down your home office set up to just the essentials and you’ll find you need less, but do more. 

The Office Basics for an RV:

Computer – A laptop works well since you can easily take it to work outside, at a coffee shop, in the car. If you have a desk set up in your RV, an extra monitor is an added luxury.

Dreaming of the perfect family vacation? After all, there are few things in life better than gathering your loved ones, jumping in a camper, and exploring new places or old favorites. To make things easier, we’ve listed five practical tips for choosing the best RV park for your family’s needs.

What are some summer activities you’re itching to try? Maybe something more adventurous rather than going the conventional route? RVs, or recreational vehicles, continue to be a hot topic. While you might associate RVing with Baby Boomers or retirees, RV travel has something for everyone, with more families have becoming open to RV camping and boondocking. It’s a fun and exciting way to travel as a family, adding the right amount of spontaneity. Of course, planning ahead always helps. For some, the RV location, more specifically the RV Park, could make or break your family trip. Knowing that, we’ve compiled some recommendations for choosing the right RV parks to ensure your trip is one for the books.

1. Personal preferences

First things first, always take into consideration the requirements for your beloved recreational vehicle. Is the RV park large enough to accommodate your motorhome? If you don’t have a generator in tow, always try and find out what power connections are available in the park you are eyeing. Next off, consider what your family will need. When you are traveling with kids, always choose parks with playgrounds and other kid-friendly recreational areas. If you have a pet with you, be aware that parks have different regulations when it comes to pets. Last but not least, if you have any preferred amenities, research will be key. If  Wi-Fi is an absolute necessity for you, it’s better to do some research beforehand.

2. Online presence

We are all expect successful businesses to run a thorough and complete website that mirrors what they do, and how well they do it. The more attention to detail given on the website can often show how likely the owners are to pay attention to their guest’s experience. It doesn’t just provide potential clients with significant amounts of information, but it also somehow unintentionally advertises the amount of attention the campground owners or managers give to the park itself.

Although the Willamette Valley is often regarded as Oregon’s wine capital, over the past several years, Southern Oregon has emerged as a world-class viticultural region, known for its unique ability to grow a wide variety of grapes due to its complex geology, soil and mesoclimates. This region, which is actually the birthplace of Oregon’s wine industry, saw its first grapes planted in the mid-1800s and today boasts over 88 vineyards and numerous tasting rooms across four river valleys. Compared to popular wine regions like Napa and Sonoma, here, wine enthusiasts will escape the crowds and find prices more accommodating. With stunning views of the valley and surrounding mountains, wine aficionados can revel in world class-wine without an air of pretension at this underrated wine destination.

Oregon Wine Country: A Region That Has Aged Well

Beginning in the 1840s, early pioneers who made the trek West along the Oregon Trail planted roots in the newly established territory, and soon afterward, the region’s first grapes. One of these early settlers was Peter Britt, a Swiss photographer who left the east coast in search of gold in Southern Oregon and who’d later become Oregon’s first commercial wine producer. Britt began growing grapes in the mid-1800s and established Valley View Winery, Oregon’s first official winery, near present-day Jacksonville. By 1870, his 20-acre commercial vineyard and orchard had experimented with over 200 varieties of American and European grapes, producing between 1,000-3,000 gallons per year. With his extensive horticultural knowledge and innovative practices, he installed an underground irrigation system by 1855 and used techniques like smudging to prevent frost and raised bees to improve pollination. By the time Britt died in 1905, there were dozens of vineyards in Southern Oregon, many of which were shipping grapes across the country and down to California.

Oregon’s wine industry took a turn for the worst when Prohibition was enacted in the state 1915 — five years before Prohibition became nationwide. Wineries closed, vines were dug up and replaced with orchards, and the wine business was out of business for nearly half a century. During the 1960s, the wine industry began to recover when California winemakers headed North in search of cooler climates and launched the first post-Prohibition wineries in the state. In 2005, the Southern Oregon AVA (American Viticultural Area) was established, covering 2.2million acres stretching south of Eugene to the California border. This region encompasses the Umpqua Valley, Rogue Valley, Applegate Valley and Illinois Valley and is separated by 4 major rivers and 3 different mountain ranges. Today, there are over 8,000 acres dedicated to grape production within the Southern Oregon AVA and the number is growing rapidly!

It’s the Climate and Geology!

As far as RV destinations go, we can hardly think of a place that offers more variety than a trip to the Great Lakes. Explore national parks, historic sites, lakeshores, remote islands, and even battlefields for an action-packed adventure you’ll never forget. The five massive freshwater lakes resemble the ocean based on their sheer size alone. Waves crash on sandy shores, and the sun dips beneath the endless waterline, much like a beach sunset. So, if you’re looking for something to take your breath away then look no further than Lake Huron, Lake Ontario, Lake Michigan, Lake Erie, and Lake Superior.

Visiting the Great Lakes in an RV is most enjoybale when you’ve got time to explore the 9,500 miles of the ocean-like shores. With so much to see, you’re bound to miss something if 24-hours is all you’ve got. Embrace the outdoor activities, hike to hidden waterfalls, climb historic lighthouses, and save room for freshly caught food.

The Great Lakes and their shores are spilling with history and culture. Discover this unique area and the ecology of this magnificent glacial lakes from the comfort of your RV.

Weather at the Great Lakes

Stretching across 8 states and into a portion of Ontario, Canada, the weather throughout the Great Lakes is surprisingly stable throughout the year. It’s true! For the most part, the winters are cold, summers are warm, and the shoulder seasons are delightful. During winter, the moisture from the lakes can lead to heavy snowfalls, typically referred to as “lake effect,” snow.

Part of what makes the lakes so interesting is how their size controls the weather around them. Acting as heat sinks, the water from the lakes has the unique ability to cool the air during summer and heat it up during winter for a pleasant experience year-round. If you’re looking for the ideal time to visit, aim for late spring (May and June) or early fall (September and October) for the most pleasant temperatures.

Give your family adventures for years to come in an incredible travel trailer that delivers plenty of room for everyone in an easy-to-tow package. Check out the incredible features you can expect when you take home one of these 2022 Jayco Jay Flight SLX 8 Series travel trailers for sale near you. We’ll take an in-depth look at the features and amenities packed into these incredible RVs in this 2022 Jayco Jay Flight SLX 8 Series travel trailer review. 

Kitchen Features

Wherever you plan to explore, the kitchens in these Jayco Jay Flight SLX 8 Series travel trailers will ensure you always have what you need to make delicious meals. You’ll love the seamless countertops, stainless steel appliances, and plenty of storage space in the cabinets. Washing dishes after dinner is easy with the large acrylic sinks with a high-rise faucet.

Additional Features:

Seamless solid-surface look kitchen countertopsLarge 50/50 acrylic kitchen sinkBrushed nickel faucetsHeavy-duty, 75 lb., full-extension, steel ball-bearing drawer guides

People ask us all the time, “What’s the scariest thing that has happened to you while driving your RV?”

In our nearly 10 years of RVing, We’ve been nearly run off the road by other drivers, had a tire blowout, been hit by roadside debris, driven in blizzards, and had a high voltage power line come down across the road just ahead of us.

Scary moments, all.

Caught in an RV in High Winds

But one of the scariest was the time when I was caught in a sudden, violent windstorm. It served as a great example of how fast the weather can change. Whether you’re driving a motorhome or towing a travel trailer, high winds are an RVers enemy.

You Do Not Want to Be in an RV in High Winds!

This incident happened very early in our RV Lifestyle, way back in 2012, on I-75 in Ohio.

Spoil yourself with a relaxing camping trip on the California Coast. Ventura Beach RV Resort sits on 14 lush acres and offers RV and tent sites ranging from standard to ultra-deluxe sites. Visitors also can rent travel trailers, poolside yurts or a summer studio.

When guests aren’t exploring this beautiful slice of Golden State heaven, they can relax in the resort’s refreshing heated swimming pool and inviting hot tub. Other amenities include a recreational room with billiard tables, a flat-screen television and an ATM. You can also enjoy the playground and half basketball court.

Beach and Town

After settling in, take a short 8-minute walk to the beach, or enjoy a 15-minute bike ride to the Ventura Beach. Ventura has that classic beach town vibe that casts a spell on visitors. Spend your days riding waves at Surfers Point, fishing off of Ventura Pier and enjoying the view from the Ventura Botanical Gardens. The waterfront community also acts as the gateway to Channel Islands National Park Located an hour away from the mainland, these five remote islands are coined the “Galapagos of North America” because they support more than 2,000 species of flora and fauna, 150 of which can only be found here.

Explore More

If you’re ready to venture further, check out the Island Packers Cruises for a trip to the Channel Islands, whale watching and more. You can walk to the Ventura County Fairgrounds to enjoy various seasonal events like the fair, speedway, live concerts and markets. Of course, there is Main Street, where there are shops and restaurants, plus plenty of bars within walking distance.

Also, a few minutes from the Resort is “The Cross,” where you can hike up (easy hike) to the very top and you can see ALL of Ventura and the coastline all the way up to Santa Barbara!

Have you ever looked around and thought to yourself ‘My surroundings seem like a film set!’

The weather is perfect; not too hot and not too cold. The air smells like campfire and fallen leaves. The picnic table is set for family crafts and puzzles. The trees are tall and strong, gently raining down their colorful leaves as the breeze tickles their branches. The entire landscape in every direction is like a masterclass in color theory, with reds blending right into oranges and yellows.

It sounds like a fairytale, but it’s also very real–it’s autumn in North America and there’s nothing like it. Believe it or not, you can experience the best campgrounds for fairytale fall foliage without ever stepping foot onto a movie set! It’s your adventure, you’re the main character writing your story. You just have to hop in the RV to begin. We all deserve a starring role once in a while and nothing sets the stage like RVing in the fall.

Asheville, North Carolina

Beginning in late September, fall paints the mountainsides in the foothills of the Appalachians. In Asheville, the valleys and foothills are aglow from September through November. Witness for yourself the brightest, most saturated colors the season has to offer. If hiking is your thing, lace up your boots for a climb up Grandfather Mountain, or bring a jacket along as you scale Mount Mitchell (it can be a little chilly towards the top). These peaks offer insanely beautiful views of the trees and valleys showing off below.

Aerial Drone view of fall in the Blue ridge of the Appalachian Mountains near Asheville, North Carolina. Vibrant red, yellow, orange leaf foliage colors on the curve of mountain road side. Image: Shutterstock.

Good Sam Campgrounds Nearby Asheville, NC:

Asheville Bear Creek RV Park & Campground

Driving across North America in your RV can be an enjoyable part of the overall camping experience. But while cruising through the scenic countryside, one must be mindful of the need to safeguard and secure your RV’s components. Avoid potential damage to RV equipment and — most critical — avert injuries to your passengers. Consult an RV checklist before departing.

Here are some things that may help you to avoid costly mistakes.

Securing Loose Items

Unlike automobile travel, recreational vehicles require the prior securing of items such as small appliances, dishware, foodstuffs and many other loose items. Failure to do this risks these pieces becoming missile-like in the event of a violent maneuver or hard braking action. Several products are available to prevent loose items from wandering.

Securing the Refrigerator Contents

Organize the contents of your fridge to prevent items from falling down. Make sure that the latch-type closure or manually applied lock on your fridge is secured. Having a well-stocked fridge door spring open while flying down the road can ruin your day, not to mention your rugs and coach interior.

When it comes to powering your RV, you need portable energy. After all, your RV can go almost anywhere, why limit yourself to the nearest power grid? This is where generators come in. Generators offer an alternative form of power from the standard RV pedestal hookup you’ll find at campgrounds. Generators are portable and powerful and open up amazing camping experiences in remote areas. With a generator on board, you can enjoy the solitude of camping deep in nature, while still enjoying the creature comforts of a powered home.

Solar panels are also an alternative form of power. But their leading downfall is their reliance on clear skies for continuous energy. A generator, however, performs in any weather condition. Generators are one of the most reliable forms of portable energy out there.

What is a Generator?

Generators charge your RV’s outlets so you can operate lights, charge phones, or even operate a microwave. For many campers, generator camping is the preferred way to camp. Over the years, generators have become more and more efficient. Today’s generators are much quieter than their predecessors and have a smaller footprint.

In RVing, there are two types of generators: a built-in onboard generator, and a portable generator.

An onboard generator is built into the RV and gets its fuel from the RV’s chassis fuel tank. An onboard fuel tank is common on toyhaulers. The onboard generator could also be fueled by the RV’s propane system.

When it comes to making your adventures easier and more comfortable for everyone, the class C motorhomes on sale at RVing Planet are an excellent place to start. Fall in love with the quality construction and reliable designs that will help you make the most of your time away. Learn more about four of our favorite designs in this class C motorhome review.

Coachmen Cross Trail XL 23XG

Your family of five can comfortably take vacations across the country in this Coachmen Cross Trail XL 23XG class C motorhome. Inside, you’ll find a queen bed, an overhead bunk, and a large U-dinette that gives you plenty of space for sleeping. The Swing-Arm Smart TV allows you to stream your favorite shows directly from your Smartphone!

Additional Features:

U-Shaped DinetteSwing-Arm Smart TVSleeps Five People16′ Power AwningCountertop Extension