For some outdoorsy families, simply having a tent, a firepit, and a piece of wilderness is heaven: and family camping suits them perfectly.
Others would like a certain level of comfort, amenities, and activities, while still enjoying a beautiful outdoors setting and a budget-friendly price. Fortunately, such getaways can be found at certain "camping resorts".
Camping Resorts
Europeans have been flocking to deluxe campgrounds for years: places with cottages, swimming pools, pizzerias, grocery stores, kids programs, and even spas. One glance at Eurocamp will show you what North Americans have been missing. Still, we do have some options-- read more below.
And good news:as of 2009, Eurocamp is partnering with a number of locations in North America and Canada.
Camping Resort: typical features
"Camping resorts" can range in style from rustic-opulent to rustic-for-real, but in general you may find these features:
- swimming pools and playgrounds
- activities such as canoeing, horse-riding, etc.
- kids programs in summer time
- a variety of lodging options, including cabins and bungalows. Other choices might be: canvas tents with cots; tent-bungalows with cooking facilities; "park model" portable units in cabin styles.
Find a Camping Resort
At time of writing, there's no easy way to identify camping resorts that have a certain level of comfort, style, and amenities. By way of hints:
- Eurocamp -- which has such great resorts in Europe-- is offering locations in the USA and Canada. At time of writing, Eurocamp has put its brand on brand on a number of properties in popular locations in Florida, Outer Banks NC, Grand Canyon, and more; in many cases, Eurocamp has partnered with KIA (a large campsite chain in the US). Check web site for updates.
- google [state of your choice] plus "camping resort", or "camping bungalow", and see what turns up. For example: Mountain Springs Camping Resort, in Pennsylvania Dutch country, has kids activities, hayrides, snack shack, visit to local wildlife center, and special events, in addition to swimming, fishing, hiking, etc.*
Note: carefully explore online any places called "RV Resorts": this may mean places with minimal amenities where RV's are lined up cheek by jowl. Fortunately, most web sites have photos so you can get a preview of the place.
You may also be interested in Family Camps: like summer-camp for kids, but for the whole family; simple lodgings, low-budget, meals included, many outdoor activities.
Please note that the writer has not visited the properties mentioned in this article; and always check resort sites for updates.
** Photo of waterslides at Ruisseau parc, Biarritz, France, courtesy of Eurocamp.
