The Family Camping Guide

Great Family Camping Vacation Ideas

A family camping trip can be a wonderful way to spend some quality time with your children and your spouse.  Nothing brings a family together like simple outdoor activities, campfires, and being out together in nature. Family camping trips are also a great way to teach your kids about nature and to show them beautiful national parks and historic sites.

Planning a family camping trip can be tough and intimidating at first. It requires a lot of planning and a lot of organization but once you have gone on a couple of family camping trips and have figured out an organizational system that works well for your and your family it will be a lot easier to get ready for family camping trips. As they get older the kids can help you plan and can suggest places to go camping.

Family camping trips can be significantly cheaper than many other types of vacations, especially if you have a large family. With the cost of living rising rapidly more and more families are cutting out vacations altogether but you can still have an affordable vacation that gives you a lot of time to spend with your family if you go on a camping vacation.

The ideas in this ebook should help you get started planning where to go, figuring out what camping gear you need, and what you need to buy to take with you on your trip. Family camping is something that your kids will remember all their lives and the shared experiences of a family camping trip can help strengthen your family bond.

Good luck to you as you start planning a family camping vacation!

Table of Contents

Introduction

The Five Best Reasons to Go Camping as a Family

Ten Great Family Camping Vacation Ideas

1. Local Parks

2. Yellowstone National Park

3. Crater of Diamonds State Park

4. The Grand Canyon

5. Everglades National Park

6. Denali National Park

7. The Appalachian Trail

8. Yosemite National Park

9. Glacier National Park

10. Volcano National Park

What You Need to Know About Camping in National Parks

   What amenities are offered at each campsite?

   How much does a space cost and how many people does that include?

   Are fires allowed?

   Are firearms allowed?

   What permits do you need?

   Are reservations allowed?

   Is there a dump station?

Five Tips for Choosing a Great Campsite

Five Amenities to Look for in a Campground or Campsite

Ten Signs of a Family Friendly Campground

Should You Rent an RV or Use a Camping Trailer?

Advantages of Renting an RV

Advantages of Renting a Camping Trailer

Essential Family Camping Gear

Tents

   Multi-Room Tents

   Single Room Tents

   Tips for Figuring Out How Much Space You Need in a Tent

   Five Other Important Things to Consider When Choosing a Tent

Packs

   Internal Frame Packs

   External Frame Packs

Choosing the Right Pack

Camping Stoves

   Propane Camping Stoves

   White Gas Stoves

Lanterns

   Solar powered

   Battery powered

   Gas powered lanterns

Sleeping Bags and Mattresses

Five Ways to Get Great Deals on Camping Gear

What to Do if You or Your Kids Take Daily Medications

What you Need to Have in a Well Stocked First Aid Kit

Essential First Aid Supplies

Basic First Aid Tips

Traditional camping foods for your family camping trip

Family Camping Cooking Tips

Five Easy Tasks Around the Campsite the Kids Can Help You With

Five Tips for Hiking with Kids         

Five Ways to Keep the Kids Busy if the Weather Turns Bad

Conclusion