10 of the Best Family Campgrounds for Summer Camping – Updated for Summer 2023

Updated for Summer 2023

There’s no better way to vacation as a family than a summer camping trip. Parents can unplug from the hustle and bustle of daily life while the kids enjoy their time out of school. Before you pack up your camper, you have to decide the best destination for your family. There are RV parks and campgrounds located across the country, offering different scenery, amenities, and nearby attractions. As you think about what’s most important to ensure a fun camping trip, RV Trader has put together a list with 10 of the best family campgrounds for summer camping.

1. Campland on the Bay in San Diego, California

Campland on the Bay is a waterfront RV campground located in sunny San Diego. Park your motorhome or unhitch your travel trailer along the shores of Mission Bay. This pet-friendly, family-friendly campground has no shortage of kid’s activities and live entertainment. Campers can play basketball or beach volleyball, make a splash on a rented watercraft, and grab a bite at the on-site cantina or ice cream parlor.

Venture outside of the campground to explore more of San Diego, including the Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach, Tourmaline Surfing Park, and the Ocean Front Walk.

2. Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA Holiday in Bar Harbor, Maine

Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA is the only campground on the west side of Bar Harbor island. Enjoy the breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, overlooking the Mount Desert Narrows, from your waterfront campsite. This campground has back-in and pull-through campsites for RVs as big as 70-feet long.

Visit the on-site Lobster Trap Cafe for Maine’s famous lobster rolls and clam chowder. Six days a week, the Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA features a Maine lobster bake as one of the many planned activities available. You can also take a shuttle bus from the campground to downtown Bar Harbor and nearby Acadia Visitor Center.

3. Myrtle Beach Travel Park in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Myrtle Beach Travel Park is an RV park and campground on a half-mile beach. Wake up and fall asleep to the sound of waves crashing. Your RV will be just steps away from the beach and minutes away from Myrtle Beach’s other activities and attractions, such as amusement and water parks, fishing piers, outlet shopping, and family-friendly entertainment.

At the campground, you can get breakfast from the on-site restaurant, have some friendly competition at the arcade, float down the lazy river, and cool off at the splash pool.

4. Yellowstone National Park Lodges at Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

A summer vacation to Yellowstone National Park offers nearly endless sights and activities. While there are plenty of RV parks outside of the national park, you can make the most of your trip by making your homebase the Yellowstone National Park Lodges. Fishing Bridge RV Park, situated near the mouth of the Yellowstone River, recently completed renovations to accommodate hard-sided RVs ranging from 40- to 95-feet long.

Camping at Yellowstone National Park Lodges allows you to experience the magic of the world’s first national park every day. It’s not uncommon to wake up to wildlife right outside your RV. Read our previous RV Trader Travel Spotlight to learn more about Yellowstone National Park.

5. Luxury RV Resort in Gulf Shores, Alabama

Situated on Alabama’s Gulf Shores, Luxury RV Resort is a full-hookup campsite walking distance from the beach. This big rig-friendly RV resort has a swimming pool with deck and lounge seating if you don’t want to deal with the sand, as well as a group fire pit, picnic tables at every campsite, and family-friendly events and activities on site.

In addition to the beach, Luxury RV Resort is located near Gulf State Park, Wade Ward Nature Park, and Waterville USA amusement park.

6. Grassy Key RV Park & Resort in Marathon, Florida

If you’re traveling south to the Florida Keys, check out the waterfront campsites at Grassy Key RV Park & Resort. Take a dip in the waters of the white sand beach or the resort’s crystal-clear pool. This RV park, located between Key Largo and Key West, has been renovated to accommodate rigs of all sizes.

Grassy Key is about an hour away from popular attractions and activities within the Florida Keys, such as restaurants, watersports rentals, live entertainment, and more.

7. Sun Outdoors Frontier Town in Berlin, Maryland

A trip to Ocean City, Maryland is sure to be filled with beach days and fun on the boardwalk. Just 15 minutes away from the beach is Frontier Town in Berlin, Maryland, a western theme park. Sun Outdoors Frontier Town is the perfect place to make your camping homebase and experience Wild West family-friendly fun.

This campground has full-hookup sites, as well as spacious set ups for pop-up campers. Families will have access to Frontier Town’s entertainment, amusements, water park, marina, and pier.

8. Branson Ridge RV Resort in Branson, Missouri

Branson is one of the midwest’s most-popular destinations for family-friendly fun. Conveniently located off State Highway 265, Branson Ridge RV Resort offers a peaceful retreat to relax after spending the day in the “Show Capital of the World.” At the resort, campers can roast marshmallows at the firepit, take a dip in the indoor pool, explore the hiking trails, and join in the many planned activities.

Branson Ridge RV Resort is a few minutes away from the attractions at Silver Dollar City, water activities at Table Rock Lake, and Downtown Branson.

9. Branches of Niagara Campground Resort in Grand Island, New York

This summer, enjoy the cooling waters of Niagara Falls. Stateside, Branches of Niagara Campground Resort is situated between Buffalo, New York and Niagara Falls. This RV resort’s campsites can accommodate every type of RV, from pop-up campers to big rigs.

Branches features activities right on Grand Island, such as ziplining, laser tag, boat rentals, a beach, outdoor movies, wildlife shows, and more. When you aren’t experiencing the rush of the falls, take your family to explore downtown Buffalo, the city’s Canalside waterfront park, or grab your passport and cross the border to Canada.

10. Camp RiversLanding in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Camp RiversLanding is tucked away along the Little Pigeon River and features river tubing, fishing, a pool, and more. Back your RV into one of the riverside, signature, or premium campsites. Since the campground is located right off the Parkway, you’ll be able to take the trolley to some of Pigeon Forge’s most popular attractions and activities.

Located in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, Pigeon Forge has everything from outdoor exploration at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, thrilling attractions at Dollywood, and award-winning family-friendly shows and entertainment.

Wherever you decide to travel for your family’s summer vacation, you’re sure to have a blast and make plenty of memories along the way, both in and out of your RV. Before you hit the road this summer, check out RV Trader’s Summer Destinations Resource Page for more summer travel locations to help you plan the best vacation ever. And, if you need a rig for your summer adventures, shop the nationwide inventory of new and used RVs for sale on RVTrader.com.