Beginning Campers May Prefer to Rent a Cabin, Take Hikes and Then Sleep Indoors

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For families with a longstanding love for the outdoors, camping with children can be an excellent opportunity to discover “teachable moments.” Setting up an unruly tent can teach children self-discipline and teamwork, while having an opportunity to talk and tell stories without cell phone interruptions and everyday distractions can be relaxing and interesting for both parents and children.

Younger children may not be ready to spend a night in the great outdoors; camping with parents or older siblings in the backyard or on a balcony can give some children a chance to get used to being outdoors in a protected environment. Some families rent a cabin at a local campground for a few nights before taking younger kids on longer trips.

For people who prefer to camp without children, campground locations can provide a great stopping-off point before longer trips; some camp sites offer long-term storage for people who are ready to spend weeks or even months hiking and camping in more secluded wilderness locations. Campground employees can be informed in advance of travel plans and can act as a safety backup for more adventurous campers and hikers.

Some people have family members who are not quite ready to go tent camping, and will often rent a cabin so that spouses or close friends can feel comfortable at night. Some camp sites offer cooking facilities, though many are beyond the range of cell phone and internet service. Over 40 million Americans go camping each year, and cabin camping remains a popular option for reluctant campers.

Although tent camping
remains the most popular option for hikers who wish to spend time exploring their natural surroundings, cabin camping has experienced a rise in popularity among families in recent years. Camping in public campgrounds can be appealing for groups and families; some camp sites offer activities for children, access to RV travelers, and organized hikes along trails that are maintained year-round. For many lifelong campers, the possibility of teaching life skills to children and teens remains a very compelling reason to take time to explore the outdoors.

Three Great Reasons to Take Your Family Camping Vacation at a Public Campground

Michigan city campground

In just a few short weeks, summer will be in full swing. With the kids home from school, there will never be a better time to get your family outside together to enjoy the great outdoors.

There’s no better way to do this than by going on a family camping adventure — in fact, American families spent an astronomical 516.6 million days visiting campgrounds all across the country in 2013 alone!

When planning your next camping trip, you will likely have two main options from which you can choose: public campgrounds and private campgrounds. Public campgrounds tend to be the overwhelmingly more popular choice, with 70% of all camping taking place at these camping sites.

Still not convinced that a public campsite could be the best choice for you and your family’s next excursion into the outdoors? Here are three of the top reasons why public campgrounds remain a popular choice among families and camping enthusiasts all across America:

Reduced costs

Public campgrounds are essentially campsites located in national and state parks. Because of this, the costs to stay at a public campground are much less than the costs of booking a spot at a private campsite. Public parks aren’t looking to make a profit; they’re already funded by the government! For a more budget-friendly family camping trip, public is the best way to go.

A calm, quiet environment

Typically, public campgrounds are also more spacious and quiet than private ones. This is because very few public campsites offer spaces for RV campers, meaning the noise level is greatly reduced. If your idea of camping is more traditional, public campgrounds are perfect for tent camping.

Stunning views of nature

Because public camping grounds are located in the heart of the country’s most well-protected and preserved natural areas, these campgrounds offer unparalleled views of the natural world. National and state parks are barely touched by human life, giving a unique glimpse of wildlife and plant life. If you want to share your love for the outdoors with the rest of your family, a public campsite is the perfect place to do so.

Have any other questions about planning your next family camping vacation at one of the country’s thousands of public camping sites? Let us know in the comments below.