Plan a Camping Vacation

Posted by Andrea Gentry on May 13th, 2019

As the weather warms, many families start planning their vacation. A fun, budget friendly option is a camping trip. Whether families want to go to the beach, mountains, or desert, a camping trip can fit the bill.

The first step to planning a camping vacation is to choose your destination. Do you want to stay close to home or venture farther away? if you are staying close to home, weekend getaways are fun and several can be planned for the camping season.

Keep weather conditions in mind when choosing a locale. Snow may still be around in the Northwest in May and June, and the desert, beach, and southern states can be hot in the summer. Just know before you go so you can plan accordingly.

Once you have picked your destination, begin searching for campgrounds. State and national parks are a great place to start. KOA locations are in many states and offer family friendly campsites.Most campsites range from .00 to .00 a site. private campgrounds in touristry areas are more expensive than state and national parks, but they may have more amenities. Be sure to make your camping reservation if offered by the campground as soon as possible. Some campgrounds are on a first come first served basis, and others book weeks and months in advance.

Once you have picked your campground and made your reservation, you need to start getting your camping gear. Choosing a camping tent can be overwhelming as there are so many options.Your budget and the number of campers will be two of the main factors in your tent choice.

You will also need sleeping bags or blankets, and some campers like a sleeping mat, cot, or inflatable mattress. Other essentials are flashlights, utensils/pans, chairs, first aid kit, cooler, and then your clothes and toiletries. There are tons of camping gadgets and gear that are great, but the basics are all you need.

Pack clothes appropriate for the weather. Nights can be cool, even in the summer in some areas. Always take rain gear and an extra pair of shoes. Will you be swimming? If so, pack the swimsuits. 

Check the campground information for on site activities like fishing and hiking. If you want to participate, be sure you have the gear for that too. 

Many campgrounds are near outdoor adventure activites so be sure to research things to do. Hiking, rafting, bicycling, and ziplines are all fun activities. Some are also close to tourist attractions if you are interested in that too. 

 Plan your meals before you leave, even if you stop at a grocery store near the campground. Keep it easy if you have never done any camping cooking before. Most campground have a grill or grate over the firepit, so foods that you grill as usually easy options.

Pack your gear in the car the day before you leave. Don't wait until the morning of your departure. Camping requires more packing than a motel or condo vacation, so you don't want to be doing this last minute.

Camping gets easer the more you go, and you will discover what your family needs. Relax and take the time to connect with nature and your family. Happy camping!