For some families, simply having a tent, firepit, and the Great Outdoors is heaven. But for others, fortunuately, a nice level of amenities can be found at "camping resorts."
Europeans have been flocking to deluxe campgrounds for years, with cottages, swimming pools, pizzerias, kids programs, even spas: a glance at Eurocamp shows what N. Americans are missing.
Still, we do have some options.
Camping Resort: typical features
"Camping resorts" can range from rustic-opulent to rustic-for-real, but in general look for:
- swimming pools and playgrounds
- activities such as canoeing, horse-riding, etc.
- kids programs in summer
- canvas tents with cots, and/or
- tent-bungalows with cooking facilities and amenities, and/or cabins and bungalows
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, web sites have photos so you can get a preview of the place.
- Jellystone Park Camp Resorts - a Yogi-bear-themed chain with many locations; cabins, waterslides, splash parks, minigolf, outdoor movies, theme weekends, more (-varies at different spots)
- Check out "camping resorts" at the Woodall's site
- KOA is a giant chain, and many places offer much more than a place to pitch your tent: with cabins, and kid-friendly features such as pools.
- the comprehensive Camping.about.com site has extensive Reviews, and many of the top-quality places are camping resorts.
See also Family Camps: like summer-camp for kids, but for the whole family; simple lodgings, low-budget, meals included, many outdoor activities.
* Garfield's words of wisdom come from Life In The Rough, Buena Vista Records, United Feature Syndicate, 1985.
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