Camping is a truly versatile hobby. With the opportunity to constantly travel to new places, gain unique experiences, and enjoy the beauty of nature, it is a popular lifestyle for people of different groups and ages. Moreover, this is also an all-season hobby, because you can plan a trip any time of the year.
Among interesting activities for the whole family, camping is a common option. It is enough to find a suitable location, collect useful equipment and reliable shelter, be it a light summer tent or a 4 season 6 person tent, and you can hit the road!
This availability of camping is a valuable benefit, as it provides the opportunity to relax and have fun in nature with the whole family without going over budget and time, since the decision to go camping can often be spontaneous, unlike a pre-planned holiday at a resort.
Among the important tasks that need to be solved in the case of camping is the choice of site. Here it is worth considering the preferences of your family members.
You should decide in advance what type of vacation you prefer, whether it will be a secluded spot with beautiful scenery or whether you want to set up camp where you will have a lot of neighbors and activities. In any case, the type of camping is quite individual, especially when talking about camping with a group.
Let’s take a look at some of the main aspects to keep in mind when choosing a campsite for a family trip.
Types of Camping
There are different types of camping, each with its features, pros, and cons. The choice of campsite type directly depends on your preferences and goals for your trip to nature.
It is essential to decide in advance what exactly is important to you: will it be a popular tent camp with many additional services, a secluded spot away from cities and roads, or a combination of these two?
The most common options include:
Established Campsites
Such a type is the most popular and there are several reasons for this. Established campgrounds have the necessary infrastructure and amenities, which makes staying in such a camp more comfortable, especially if you are traveling with children.
Some campgrounds may offer picnic tables, fire pits, and drinking water, while others provide more amenities including bathrooms, kitchens, etc. In this regard, established campsites are the ideal solution to spend time in nature with your family.
In addition, the planning process is also simpler here. All you have to do is book the desired spot, come, and set up a tent, instead of spending a long time searching for a suitable site and preparing it for camping. Also, established campsites offer additional amenities and recreational options, such as playgrounds, water/ground transportation rentals, golf, snack bars, etc.
The disadvantages of such campgrounds include the proximity to other campers, which can often mean more noise, queues, and sometimes litter.
Dispersed Campsites
This option assumes that your site is outside a designated campground. Dispersed campsites are best suited for those families who are looking for a more relaxing vacation and are not demanding in terms of amenities.
Advantages include no pre-booking, free sites, and privacy.
However, even though camping is allowed in most places, you will still need to call the ranger station in advance to find out local rules and restrictions. In some cases, visitors may also need a permit or registration to legally camp.
Backcountry Camping
Backcountry camping is a great option if you want to be closer to nature and enjoy a more active holiday.
Since remote spots are away from developed areas and roads, you will most likely have to hike to get to the site, and in some places, you may have to use boats.
This approach to camping has its advantages and disadvantages. Among the pros is that it is perhaps the best way of camping when it comes to being active and having a memorable experience. The disadvantages include the fact that you will need to carry all your things with you, as well as the lack of amenities.
Backcountry is ideal for active families who are not afraid of challenges and value solitude with nature.
It’s worth keeping in mind that you may need a permit in some areas, so check with rangers before planning your trip and setting up camp.
Factors to Pay Attention to When Choosing a Site
When planning your trip, there are a few things to consider in advance to ensure you choose a site that will provide your family with a great camping experience.
Distance
If you are traveling for the first time, have small children, or are camping during a season with cooler weather, it is best to choose sites that are relatively close to your home or have developed areas nearby.
Facilities
Study the map of the area where you are going and mark useful places, such as gas stations, grocery stores, pharmacies, hotels, etc. Also, pay attention to what services the campground provides and their cost.
Before choosing a site, talk to family members to find out their wishes about the required level of comfort.
Activities
To make your camping experience interesting and memorable, it is important to choose spots that can offer exciting activities. When it comes to family camping, the more varied and unique activities a campground can offer, the better.
If the campground you’re interested in doesn’t have a lot of activities available, take a look around the area, as campsites can often be located near various attractions.
Proximity to Water
If you decide to go backpacking or remote camping, you should choose sites that are close to bodies of water. This will make the processes of cooking, washing dishes, and laundry much easier.
Also, water from reservoirs can be boiled and safely consumed, so when setting up camp in such places you will not have to carry an additional load in the form of a supply of drinking water.
Site
Select sites that provide accessible entry/exit, as well as sufficient space for safe campfires, food preparation, and toilet areas.
Place your tent on a flat surface and avoid lonely trees. Additionally, it is not recommended to camp in low-lying areas as there is a chance of flooding if it rains.
Find out more about camping and tents at RBM Outdoors.
