With family camping trips becoming ever more popular, you might think picking a tent is the most important factor. In truth, much of your hopes and dreams for the perfect family camping trip can be completely undone with the wrong campsite. Whether you’re hoping for an authentic woodland trip, or one that offers plenty of activities for the children, it’s important to pick the right location.
In this guide we go into what to look for in a campsite, and share our 10 best family friendly camping sites from across the UK and USA.
What to look for in a child-friendly camp site?
There are 2 key considerations when you're choosing a child friendly camping site:
The 10 best campsites for families
Camping sites in the UK
1. Cashel Campsite, Loch Lomond, Scotland
Photo credit: campingintheforest.co.uk
Why we love it
“You might find plenty to do near the camp, but you won't beat the views on offer as you settle down on site."
Set on the banks of the stunning Loch Lomond in the south of Scotland, Cashel Campsite is a superb spot that has a bit of everything for all of the family. There is plenty of space for children to explore, and a dedicated play area offers to safe place to play on site. Facilities include toilets, showers, drinking taps, washbasins, laundry, dish washing, shaving sockets and an on-site shop.
Sitting right on the bank of the Loch, campers can launch their own boats straight into the water or hire a short walk away. The Queen Elizabeth Forest Park offers fantastic walks, while Go Country Adventure Park is a 40 minute drive away for activities like cliff jumping, gorge walking, kayaking, clay pigeon shooting and plenty more.
Photo credit: The Camping & Caravanning Club
Why we love it
“A great alternative to a dull hotel if you’re heading to Alton Towers with plenty to do in its own right."
If you’re planning a trip to Alton Towers, but want something more adventurous than a local Travelodge, Alton, The Star Club Site is the perfect alternative. If rollercoasters and Cbeebies Land aren’t your thing, it is ideally located for walking trips in the Peak District, nearby Kingsley Bird and Falconry Centre, Peak Wildlife Park and Monkey Forest.
Campers benefit from gas cylinders, ice pack freezing, battery charging facilities, showers, a dedicated parent and baby room, storage facilities and washing machines. Located just a mile away from the theme park, the camp site offers a large dedicated play area for children with plenty of tree cover for those hot summer days. There is plenty of space for ball games and dedicated paths for dog walks.
Photo credit: The Camping & Caravanning Club
Why we love it
“A brilliant range of activities and facilities make it a real winner for families."
Despite being near the very heart of the industrial Midlands, this campsite really is a lovely, quiet getaway. From water sports at the nearby Kingsbury Water Park, to cycling, birdwatching and walking trails, it’s an option that really offers something for all the family. The site is home to two dedicated play areas, a small train and even a children’s farm.
Twycross Zoo, Birmingham Sea Life Centre and Cadbury World are all within a 40-minute drive, making it a fantastic base to branch out from.
As well as a large family shower room, the site offers ice pack freezing, gas cylinders, washing machines, battery charging and site WiFi (although rural location and weather conditions can affect coverage).
Photo credit: campingintheforrest.co.uk
Why we love it
“Perfect for a more authentic camping trip."
With wide open spaces, a lake and secluded spots, Roundhill offers a more stripped-back camping experience for families with children old enough to be kept busy by the natural world around them. What it lacks in facilities, it more than makes up for with its stunning surroundings and huge choice of pitches.
The New Forest offers miles and miles of routes for cycling and walking right on your doorstep, while its ponies are often found roaming the campsite. The nearby village of Beaulieu does provide more in the way of facilities and activities, with a motor museum, children’s driving circuits, go karts, play areas, coffee shops and more.
Photo credit: The Camping & Caravanning Club
Why we love it
“Plenty of fantastic beaches a short drive away."
Cardigan Bay Club Site is the perfect base for exploring the beauty of the west Wales coast. With plenty on-site for the children, including great play areas, space for ball games and large pitches and just a short drive to several beaches, you’ll have no concerns about keeping them entertained.
New Quay is home to the more traditional seaside environment, with chip shops, ice cream stalls and corner shops selling buckets and spades, while smaller beaches like Aberporth and Mwnt offer a quieter opportunity to play and explore. And boat trips into Cardigan Bay offer the chance to spot dolphins.
Site facilities ensure a family’s needs are well catered for with large family showers, storage, washing machines, ice pack freezing, gas cylinders and more.
Photo credit: Campsites.co.uk
Why we love it
“Plenty of fantastic beaches a short drive away."
In addition to the opportunity to explore the delights of the Isle of Wight, Adgestone Club Site does more than most when it comes to providing on-site fun and entertainment for little ones. It is home to an open-air, heated swimming pool as well as a separate children’s paddling pool. It also has two separate play areas; one for younger children and one for older children with table tennis, giant jenga, outdoor chess and boules. The shop makes it easy to stock up on essentials while the on-site takeaway gives everyone a chance to have a break and really relax.
Off site, Sandown, Shanklin, Ventnor, Cowes and Ryde beaches are all close by, with several walking and cycling routes heading out of the camp. Dinosaur Isle, Shanklin Chine, the Needles and Blackgang Chine are also fantastic days out just a short distance away.
Photo credit: coolcamping.com
Why we love it
“It’s Loch Ness!"
It may be the most expensive campsite on our list, but the chance to stay on the shore of Scotland’s most famous loch makes it more than worthwhile. Activities including archery, bushcraft, den building and wildlife walks available for the children during school holidays. The site is also one of the few places around Loch Ness with direct access to the shoreline meaning motor boats and kayaks are available to hire.
It’s arguably the most family-friendly campsite with the staff priding themselves on excellent service and making families feel welcome and relaxed. Play area, recreation hall, parent and baby rooms, shop and takeaway are just some of the facilities on offer for family campers.
Photo credit: campingintheforest.co.uk
Why we love it
“Watching the sunset or sunrise through the forest is the perfect way to cap a fun-filled day."
Bracelands Campsite is an excellent base for exploring the wonderful Forest of Dean. Expansive with plenty of room to play, the site is surrounded by miles and miles of walking and cycling paths. Further afield, just a 10 minute drive away are Clearwell Caves and Symonds Yat Rock. Both are perfect for the adventurers, while various spots along the River Wye offer water sports and boat trips. And just 20 minutes away is Go Ape with courses for all ages.
Facilities include large showers, laundry service, dishwashing, chemical disposal points, battery charging and more.
Camping Sites in the USA
Whether it’s sat around a fire, toasting marshmallows in front of a canvas tent, or standing over a high-end BBQ in front of an RV big enough to be a house, some might argue that with its vast array of mountains and forests, the US is the true home of camping.
Something to bear in mind: A lot of campsites in the US will operate a booking system on most of its pitches, but reserve some for purchase on a first-come, first-served basis. The more popular campsites can be fully booked several months in advance.
Photo credit: adk.org
Why we love it
“A truly peaceful location to spend your trip in."
The state of New York may not be the first place that springs to mind when thinking of camping in the US, but located in the north of the state just a few hours away from the Canadian border, Wilderness Campground at Heart Lake offers plenty to do and stunning views with a more secluded stay.
Located near the more famous Lake Placid, campers are just a stone’s throw away from the excellent and varied activities and facilities provided by the town that hosted the 1980 Winter Olympics. There are guided hikes, cycling and kayaking tours, with a variety of trails to explore on your own.
Facilities include wash houses with showers and underfloor heating, fire rings and picnic tables at each pitch, and, to ensure a real break from your everyday life, there is no electricity and you won’t even get a phone signal.
Photo credit: adk.org
Why we love it
“You’ll be waking up and going to bed in one of the most beautiful places on Earth."
Lower Pines is widely considered to be the best campsite in the incredible Yosemite National Park. Pitches offer a lovely riverside spot with simply spectacular views of the 8,839ft tall Half Dome, waterfalls, deep valleys and vast fields. Compared with the UK sites listed above, it’s light on facilities, but still provides flushing toilets, drinking water, picnic tables, fire rings, food storage and an Amphitheatre.
The popularity of Yosemite Valley means there are plenty of facilities, including shops, restaurants and more, within walking distance or a free shuttle bus. Its miles of trails and river offer everything from hiking and cycling to horseback riding and rafting. Note, the 15+ mile trek to the top of Half Dome requires a permit to be secured in advance.
Stories from the best family camping sites
There's nothing we love more than seeing dads with their children and wider family across the very best campsites. Here are some of the stories we've loved and been inspired by.
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