Family Tent Camping: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Your Site

Before you can have an epic camping trip, you have to find that epic tent site perfect for your family.

The characteristics of a good campsite are flat, level surfaces, a fire pit and picnic table, and the absence of poisonous ivy and similar plants. Beyond that, people have different opinions about what they want in a campsite.

There is a lot to know about choosing a good campsite for your family.

Choosing a Campsite

Choosing a campground and an individual site may seem like a trivial part of planning for your trip, but in our experience, the campground you choose and even which campsite you stay in can have a dramatic effect on your trip. Just as in real estate, location matters.

Each campground tends to have its own vibe and subculture, especially private campgrounds, and you will have the best time in a campground where you fit in and feel comfortable. If you are looking for an outdoorsy, wilderness experience you won’t feel satisfied with a private luxury campground. If you’re seeking an adrenaline rush and enjoy an active lifestyle, you might find yourself feeling stifled in a backwoods campground with no amenities or activities.

What Should You Look for in a Campsite?

A great example of a campsite with picnic tables, a fire pit, and large flat areas for a tent.
NPS photo, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

Before selecting your campsite, you should learn a bit about what to look for. While every family has their own needs and desires, there are a few things that are universally important and a good campsite.

First, a good campsite will have a relatively flat and level area where you can park your RV or pitch your tent. Regardless of whether you are tent or RV camping, you will need a level area that is mostly clear of brush, roots, and large rocks. If you’re tent camping, especially if you have a small tent, you won’t need a large area. However, if you are staying in an RV or camper, you will need a big area where you can park your rig. Also, don’t forget to watch for low-hanging branches and other obstacles above the ground.

In addition to having a flat, level area, you will also want your campsite to have the basic amenities that your family needs. Exactly which amenities you are looking for will vary for different people and situations but most people want at least a fire pit, a picnic table, and nearby bathrooms.

I have been camping without any of these amenities and had a great time, so they aren’t a requirement, but most people would prefer to have them. When I went camping without these amenities I knew how to use the bathroom in the woods and was perfectly fine building our own fire pit and bringing a portable table (or going without).

Other amenities that many people look for are bathrooms with running water and showers, electric and water hookups, and paved or well-maintained roads. Whether or not these amenities are important to you is a personal decision based on your camping experience, your tolerance level, and the needs and situation of your family. Once upon a time, I was perfectly happy camping with a minimal amount of supplies in nearly any location. Now that I’m bringing eight children along, I can see the attraction of camping in developed campgrounds with bathrooms and running water.

Finally, no one wants to camp in a campsite with poison ivy or other poisonous plants. While it isn’t common to find a developed campground with these plants on your site, it is something to watch for, especially if you are camping in a dispersed site.

Should You Choose a Public or Private Campground?

When trying to decide between a public and a private campground, there are several issues to consider. Ultimately, the decision usually comes down to personal preference. Feelings about amenities such as showers and bathrooms, as well as the desire for privacy and what kind of camping experience you are searching for are the kinds of personal opinions that will drive your choice.

I know people who would never camp in a developed campground if they could help it. These people prefer to get away from all other campers and experience a true wilderness setting while they’re camping. I know other people who refuse to camp in any campground where a bathroom isn’t available, and still others who are unlikely to camp at all. These different preferences and feelings about amenities and the atmosphere of campgrounds can help people choose between public and private campgrounds.

Public Campgrounds

Public campgrounds are those owned by public organizations such as the National Park Service and the US Forest Service. These publicly owned campgrounds are often (although not always) more remote and less developed than many private campgrounds. They often have fewer amenities and are more likely to be located in wilderness settings. Many public campgrounds, especially those in national forests and national parks, are relatively primitive. Most public campgrounds have basic facilities such as bathrooms, and some provide hookups for RV’s in some of their sites. Other public campgrounds do not offer these basic amenities and have only vault toilets or no toilets at all.

However, it’s important to remember that there is a huge range of services and development in public campgrounds. Public campgrounds that are managed by state parks and some campgrounds located in national parks are much more developed, with amenities and full hookups. Paved roads, showers, and small gift shops or concessioners can be found in some of these developed public campgrounds.

Pros of Public Campgrounds	Cons of Public Campgrounds
Usually much cheaper.	Usually have fewer amenities. Some have no amenities.
Often located in more remote, wilderness settings.	They may be a long way from towns and stores.
Located on public land.	Some are more difficult to get to and require high clearance.
Don’t charge extra for additional people.
Usually have fewer rules, and the rules are focused on conservation.	May not have established quiet times or rules about partying.
Often (not always) better for tent campers.	May not have RV sites or hookups, and RV pads may be small.

Public campgrounds are often more primitive and remote, and not all have hook-ups or services. Many don’t even have running water! Stephen C. Foster State Park, Georgia.

Private Campgrounds

Private campgrounds are those owned by private companies. Usually called RV parks, these campgrounds often focus on campers who are bringing recreational vehicles. Tent campers might not find private campgrounds as appealing, although many RV parks do have tent camping sections for these families.

In general, private campgrounds offer more amenities to their campers than many public campgrounds offer. Amenities such as heated pools, hot tubs, tennis courts, mini golf, playgrounds, community centers, and fitness centers are common in some private RV parks. Usually, you won’t find these kinds of amenities in public parks (except state parks).

Pros of Private Campgrounds	Cons of Private Campgrounds
More amenities such as pools, sports, and lodges.	Usually much more expensive.
May have on-site activities available such as sports or contests.	These activities may cost extra.
Are generally better suited to RV campers.	May not have tent-specific sites.
	May charge extra for more than 2 campers.
Often have rules about loud music, quiet times, and partying.	Rules can be excessive and hard to follow.

Private campgrounds tend to have sites that are close together and can be crowded, making them less desirable for tent campers. They are also more expensive, but you get more for your money.
Thousand Trails Orlando, Florida.

How to Find Campgrounds

When looking for campgrounds in a specific area, I usually start by using Google Maps or looking at specific apps. Google Maps is helpful because it shows me exactly how close a campground is located to the specific area where I want to be, as well as showing me the kind of terrain and location that campground is in.

For example, we usually prefer to camp in relatively rural areas or natural settings and avoid camping inside towns or cities. Google Maps lets me instantly see what kind of area the campground is located in. Once I find a few options that I like, I can use Google Maps to instantly click over to that campground’s website and check rate and amenity information. This is also a good option when we are trying to camp within a certain distance of a specific destination such as a beach or a national park we want to visit. I also used Google Maps to look for campgrounds within driving distance of large cities such as Washington D.C. and New York City that we wanted to visit while traveling in our RV.

I also use campground apps or websites to find a campsite based on other parameters, such as when I am looking for free campsites. I often use apps or websites to find a place to stay for a single night while traveling between locations. In these cases, we usually don’t care about amenities and simply want a cheap place to camp that is near the highway and easy to access.

I also use campground apps and websites to read reviews about specific campgrounds or sites. Campendium is useful for this as it tends to have reviews for obscure or little-known sites and free sites, something you won’t find on Google Maps. Here is a list of my favorite campground apps and websites:

What to Look for In Campgrounds

As you can see, there’s a huge variety of different types of campgrounds available, from resort-style getaways to rustic campgrounds to locations with no amenities whatsoever. Some families enjoy camping to get away from it all, explore nature, and experience some solitude. Others go camping to have fun, play outside, and find new activities to enjoy. Some families want to go camping where they will have all the luxuries of home (or more) while enjoying a private getaway. Each of these families will gravitate to different kinds of campgrounds.

So what do you want in your campsite? Are you looking for another nice experience, or do you want a resort-style getaway? Do you need a campsite near a bathroom or are you looking for somewhere you can let your kids explore and play? Here are some things to consider:

Do you need running water and bathrooms with showers?
Are you looking for seclusion or amenities?
Do you want to enjoy nature and the wilderness?
Are you bringing a tent or an RV?
How loud is your family?
Do you prefer campgrounds that cater to families?
Are you looking for activities and adventures, or relaxation and luxury?
How important is privacy?
Will you need hook-ups?

How to Find the BEST Campsite In a Campground

So you’ve selected the campground you want to stay at. Next, it’s time to find a specific site for your family. Not all campgrounds allow you to select your campsite, but if you can, take advantage of it. Which campsite you get can have a huge impact on how much you enjoy your experience. Most public land campgrounds that we have stayed in allow you to choose your own site, but not all private campgrounds do.

When I’m picking out a campsite, I start by looking for a map of the campground. With a map, I can easily choose sites based on personal preferences and needs, such as how close they are to the bathroom or whether they have a good view. I can also look for features of each campsite, such as how easy it will be to back a camper into. I usually compare the map with a satellite image on Google Maps, which allows me to see specific details of the site. Finally, I make sure to look at the photos of the specific site if available. By using these three tools- the campground map, the Google Maps picture, and photos of the site itself- I am usually able to choose the perfect site for our family.

What to Look for When Choosing Your Campsite

Just as when you are choosing the campground itself, you will also have different needs and desires for your specific campsite. Each camper, family, and trip is unique. Here are some things to consider while hunting for your perfect campsite.

The weather and conditions.
The size of your Group.
Whether you are bringing a tent, an RV, or both
Whether you have small children or elderly people with you.
Safety needs for small children: Do you want to avoid camping near drop-offs, water, and busy entrance areas?
What kind of experience you’re hoping to have.
How much room do you need?
How much privacy do you want?
Whether you’re going to be spending most of your time in your campsite or out exploring.

Recreation.gov has maps and photos of most of its campgrounds, making it easier to choose a site.

How Early Do I Need to Make Reservations?

One thing to consider is how soon you need to make your reservations. In some campgrounds, you have to make reservations early in the season. In a few cases, campground spots may become reserved within minutes of becoming available. This is particularly true in high-demand areas and seasons. If you can, make sure that you research ahead of time and decide on your dates as soon as possible so you can get reservations early.

So what should you do if you weren’t able to book early? If the location you are planning to visit is already reserved, there are a few options. One thing you can try is looking for nearby campgrounds that may not be as popular. Many times, high-demand campgrounds will be booked early but nearby options may take a few more days or weeks before they are booked up.

You can also consider looking for boondocking or dispersed camping sites nearby. Many national parks have BLM land or a National Forest next door where you can find dispersed sites and camp for free if you’re unable to reserve a site inside the park.

Finally, if you’re unable to find a campsite that’s available in a location you want, you might have to consider returning or postponing your visit for a less popular time. For example, national parks are usually most popular during the summer seasons when children are out of school. If you can postpone your trip until fall or spring, you will probably experience better weather as well as have an easier time reserving a campsite.

This campsite looks amazing, but it might not be suitable for families with small kids or pets!
NPS photo by Cate Blanch. Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Arizona.

Conclusion

Remember that picking out a campsite is a personal decision and what is perfect for you may be uncomfortable for another person. Take into account your level of experience, comfort level, and needs when looking for campgrounds and campsites. And don’t feel like you need to rough it- it’s okay to choose a campground with modern amenities, and yes, it still “counts” as camping! The most important thing is to suit the needs and desires of your family so that everyone can have a good time.