Best Summer RV Destinations When Traveling with Toddlers

kid friendly RV parks

Summer camping is a classic way to enjoy a family vacation. Taking an RV is an excellent way to combine traveling and camping while keeping everyone happy, safe, and excited.

Traveling with toddlers can be challenging when packed tightly in a car, and it is easy to forget to pack necessities when there is limited storage space.

RVs are much roomier than smaller vehicles, allowing personal space and extra storage to ensure everything you will need for the trip can be taken. Other advantages to camping in an RV are affordable cooking, bringing pets, and knowing where the nearest bathroom is.

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Renting an RV for a Road Trip

Don’t have an RV? No problem! A Google search for RV rentals in your area will show locations that offer rentals. Most websites will have a search option for RV type, features, max length, and desired rental dates.

Don’t hesitate to ask for specific discounts such as military, veteran, teacher, public service, or any other typically acknowledged.

RVshare is a popular site for finding RV rentals.

Once your RV is reserved, dates established, and destinations marked on a map, it is time to get ready for the open road.

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8 of the Best Family RV Destinations

Tall Pines Campground and River Adventures

Tall Pines is in Bainbridge, New York. The campground is spacious with all amenities included. Frog Pond Farms, Cooperstown Baseball Hall of Fame, Kopernik Science Center, and the Charlotte Valley Railroad provide hours of fun and entertainment for all ages.

Canoeing, kayaking, tubing, swimming, and fishing are excellent activities in the Unadilla and Susquehanna Rivers. Chippy’s Hippie Pizza Delivery and Chippy’s Ice Cream Cart will fill hungry appetites if you don’t want to cook.

https://tallpinescampgroundny.com/

Austin Lake RV Park and Cabins

Austin Lake is a family-owned RV park in Toronto, Ohio. The park includes a large 80-acre manmade lake, hiking and biking trails, and relaxation areas.

Swimming, enjoying the beach, paddle boats and boards, going through an inflatable obstacle course, and bumper boats are a few of the readily available water activities. There are also four playgrounds, hayrides, and pedal karts for those who choose to stay on land for fun.

https://austinlakepark.com/

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Mammoth Cave

This campground is a few miles from Mammoth Cave National Park and has been voted one of the country’s best campgrounds for relaxation and fun.

Ziplines, kayaking, and exploring Mammoth Cave are among the top-rated recreational activities in this particular Jellystone campground. Located in Cave City, Kentucky, there are tent and RV sites along with model cabins.

A park calendar is available on their website to detail extra planned activities hosted by the campground; maybe Yogi Bear might even stop in for a meet and greet.

https://www.jellystonemammothcave.com

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Camp Gulf

In Destin, Florida, there is an RV campground that touches the sandy beach. If you prefer not to risk sand being tracked into the RV, other sites are available, still within a short distance to the beach, to avoid daily sweeping.

Aside from the Gulf front views, the campground has two pools, a park, and a large rec room for indoor activities. Dolphin cruises, go-carts, arcades, shopping, and plenty of restaurants are nearby.

There is also a bike trail for days not spent at the beach.

Does Camp Gulf allow dogs?

Pets are allowed, but the beachline spots are reserved for travelers without pets.

https://campgulf.com/

Redwood National Park

What makes Redwood National Park so special?

The redwoods in California are breathtaking. Redwood trees can reach over 300 feet tall and 20 feet in diameter! The size of the trees, the sounds of nature, and favorable weather make this campground a must-see! Hiking, biking, sightseeing, fishing, swimming, canoeing, and kayaking are excellent adventures when visiting different RV parks and campgrounds.

Is Redwood National Park RV friendly?

The only way to spend the night in the parks is to stay at a developed campground (reservations recommended) or hike to a backcountry campsite (free permit required).

We have no hotels or lodges in the park. There are plenty of lodging and camping options outside the park.

With planning, camping in Redwood National and State Parks will be an enjoyable and rewarding pastime for visitors of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels.

Please keep in mind that setting up hammocks on any of the trees is not allowed. The use of hammocks and ropes can damage and mutilate the trees’ bark.

https://www.nps.gov/redw/index.htm

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Arches National Park

Arches National Park in Utah has become famous for its natural rock formations, colors, and unique landscaping. Children love climbing, sliding, and jumping in the dunes. Stroller-friendly walking trails are easy to navigate while admiring the sights.

Aspiring photographers love the opportunities presented here. Temperatures can drastically drop at night and be incredibly hot during the day, so be prepared for extremes and everything in between, but it is well worth the experience.

Does Arches National Park have RV camping?

Devils Garden Campground is the only campground at Arches National Park. You can reserve campsites for nights between March 1 and October 31. During this busy season, the campground is usually full every night. 

If you’re arriving at Arches without a reservation, you’ll probably have to look for a campsite outside the park. Between November and February, campsites are first-come, first-served.

Camp among Slickrock outcroppings at Devils Garden Campground, 18 miles from the park entrance.
You can reserve standard campsites up to 6 months in advance for stays from March 1-October 31. All sites are usually reserved months in advance.

Between November 1 and February 28, sites are first-come, first-served. Facilities include drinking water, picnic tables, grills, and both pit-style and flush toilets.

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https://www.nps.gov/arch/index.htm

Oregon Coast

What is Oregon Coast known for?

The Oregon coast is a unique adventure that can start up north or on the southern side, depending on where you want to spend more time. RV campgrounds throughout the coastline offer amazing views and plenty of exciting activities.

Anyone familiar with The Goonies will enjoy spending time in Astoria and exploring the main town where the movie was filmed. The famous “Goonies House” is currently privately owned and off-limits for tours, but it is easy to drive by for a glimpse while noticing other prominent movie locations simultaneously.

Cannon Beach is not far from Astoria and recognizable from Goonies and other movies. Newport and Tillamook are well-known for saltwater taffy, cheese, and fabulous seaside restaurants.

Thor’s Well, Sea Lion Caves, Oregon Dunes National Park, Bagby Hot Springs, the Enchanted Forest, and Mt. Hood National Forest are remarkable stops too! With so much to see and do, it might be challenging to stay on schedule and still make it to the next destination.

https://visittheoregoncoast.com/

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Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons

Where can I camp between Grand Tetons and Yellowstone?

Yellowstone and the Tetons cover areas in Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. The massive parks are 31 miles from each other, making it possible to visit both if planned with enough time.

Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park, Fishing Bridge Campground in Yellowstone, and Jackson Hole Campground in the Tetons are three exceptional campgrounds for families.

Hiking, biking, Old Faithful, geyser paths, buffalo sighting, rafting, hot springs, swimming, boating, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and unlimited photo opportunities await you in every corner. A Yellowstone and Teton RV camping trip will not leave anyone disappointed.

https://www.nps.gov/grte/index.htm

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