Camping

A scenic state campground on the shore of Lake Durant in the central Adirondacks with 60 tent and trailer sites, many with direct lake access. The beach area is sandy and the lake is clean and calm for swimming and paddling. A short nature trail loops through the surrounding forest. The campground is centrally located for visits to the Adirondack Experience museum and the Blue Mountain fire tower trail. The sites are well-spaced and shaded. This is a solid, no-fuss family campground with great water access.

Camping on one of the islands in Lake George is a bucket-list Adirondack experience. Over 300 islands dot the lake and the DEC maintains campsites on many of them accessible only by boat. Kids are thrilled by the adventure of paddling or boating to a private island campsite surrounded by clear water and mountain views. Sites include fire rings and pit toilets. The Glen Island, Long Island, and Narrow Island groups are the most popular. You will need your own boat or canoe to reach the sites.

A beautiful beachfront campground on the North Shore with a long sandy beach, calm water, and a small offshore island you can wade to at low tide. Goat Island (Mokuauia) is accessible by wading across the shallow channel and kids think it is the coolest thing ever to walk to their own island. The beach is quiet and uncrowded compared to town. Tent camping is available right behind the tree line. Cabins and yurts are also an option for families who want more comfort. This is beach camping at its finest.

A beautiful state park with a sandy beach on Moreau Lake, campgrounds, and trails that connect to the nearby Palmertown Range. The lake is small and warm and the beach has a gradual entry that is perfect for young kids. Canoe and kayak rentals are available. The campground has 148 sites in a wooded setting. Hiking trails range from easy lakeside loops to a more challenging climb up to the ridge for Hudson River views. The park is close to Saratoga Springs and Lake George making it a great base camp.

The largest and arguably best campground in the Catskills with 219 sites set between two lakes and surrounded by iconic hiking trails. Kids can swim at the beach, fish from shore, and explore miles of trails that lead to stunning overlooks including the famous Artist Point and Newman Ledge views of the Hudson Valley. Kaaterskill Falls is accessible right from the campground. Boat rentals are available on the lake. The combination of great camping, swimming, and world-class hiking makes this the premier family base camp in the Catskills.

A 46000-acre wilderness with pristine lakes, ponds, and mountains that sees far fewer visitors than the High Peaks. The hike to Pharaoh Lake is about 4 miles one way on a well-marked trail through beautiful forest. The lake has lean-tos and camping spots along the shore making it a great introduction to backcountry camping for families. Swimming in the clear lake water surrounded by mountains is a highlight. Several shorter hikes to nearby ponds are available for families wanting less distance. It feels genuinely remote.

A family park on the St. Lawrence River and Barnhart Island with a sandy beach, nature center, campground, and boat launch. The swimming beach on the river is excellent with warm shallow water and lifeguards. The nature center offers programs for kids and the park has trails through riverfront wetlands that are great for birding. The campground has 168 sites in a wooded setting. Watching the massive ships navigate the St. Lawrence Seaway from the observation area is an unforgettable experience for kids.

A state campground on the northern end of Lake George with direct lake access, a sandy beach, and outstanding cliff views. The 332 tent and trailer sites are spread through a wooded area and many have lake views. Kids love the beach and the boat launch makes it easy to get out on the water. The nearby Rogers Rock cliff face is a striking backdrop and a popular spot for experienced rock climbers. The campground is quieter and less crowded than those near Lake George village.

A large state park on the east shore of Seneca Lake with a spacious beach, 309-site campground, marina, playground, and recreation hall. The swimming beach is one of the best on any Finger Lake with a wide sandy shore and gradual entry. The campground has both tent and full-hookup RV sites. A naval station museum on the grounds tells the history of the WWII training base that once occupied the site. Bike paths connect the park areas and the marina rents boats. This is a full-service family vacation park.

Paddle to a private island campsite on one of the Saranac Lakes for an unforgettable family camping trip. The DEC maintains 87 primitive island campsites across Lower, Middle, and Upper Saranac Lakes, each with a fire ring, privy, and picnic table. Kids feel like explorers paddling to their own island and spending the night surrounded by water and wilderness. The Lower Saranac launch is the easiest access point. Loon calls at sunset and stars with zero light pollution make this a magical experience.

A family campground perched on bluffs above Lake Ontario with a beach, cabins, and trails along the Salmon River. The 148 campsites and 36 cabins are set in a wooded area above the lake. The beach has dramatic bluff views and Lake Ontario sunsets. The Salmon River at the park boundary is famous for salmon and steelhead fishing. Trails along the bluffs and through the woods connect the park areas. The combination of lake swimming, river fishing, and bluff-top camping makes this a unique family destination.

A sprawling park along the Taconic Range on the Massachusetts border with two camping areas, swimming, hiking, and waterfalls. The Copake Falls area has a campground, lake swimming at Ore Pit Pond, and a short trail to Bash Bish Brook. The Rudd Pond Area has another campground and a beautiful swimming pond. Over 20 miles of trails including a section of the South Taconic Trail offer ridge-top views. The park spans both gentle terrain for young families and rugged terrain for adventurous older kids.

A family park on the eastern shore of Oneida Lake with a 1000-foot sandy beach, campground, and nature trails. The beach is excellent for families with a gentle slope into the water and lifeguards during summer. The lake is warm and shallow near shore. The 45-site campground is set back in the woods. Trails wind through a variety of habitats including wetlands that are great for birding. The park connects to the Erie Canalway Trail for biking. Oneida Lake sunsets from the beach are gorgeous.

A state park on an island in the St. Lawrence River in the heart of the Thousand Islands with a nature center, sandy beach, campground, and hiking trails. The Minna Anthony Common Nature Center has over 600 acres with 8 miles of trails through diverse habitats. Kids love the nature museum with live animal displays and the beach on the river is clean and has a gradual entry. The campground has 430 sites. Watching huge freighters pass through the St. Lawrence Seaway from the shore is mesmerizing for kids.

Your family’s first camping trip doesn’t need to be an epic backcountry expedition. In fact, the best first trips are short, close to home, and simple. Here’s everything you need to know to make your first family camping trip a success - from choosing the right campground to what to actually bring. Choose the Right Campground The campground you pick makes or breaks a first camping trip. Here’s what to look for: ...

Family campgrounds nestled among towering pines along the Mountain Fork River inside Beavers Bend State Park. Sites range from primitive tent spots to full RV hookups and many sit right on the riverbank. Kids fall asleep to the sound of running water and wake up ready to explore trails that start right from camp. The campgrounds connect to the full park trail system so you can hike straight from your tent. Book well in advance during peak season because these sites fill up months out.

A surprising island of loblolly pines known as the Lost Pines sits 100 miles east of the main Hill Country pine range and kids find the shady canopy unlike anything else near Austin. Seven miles of trails wind through recovering forest with white-tailed deer and woodpecker sightings along the way. The staffed swimming pool with lifeguards is open May through September and the Junior Ranger program gives curious kids a structured way to explore. Park Road 1C to Buescher State Park is a beautiful 12-mile drive or bike route through the pines.

Where Austin families go when they want a proper adventure that feels miles from civilization. The 1.5-mile round-trip hike to Gorman Falls ends at a stunning 70-foot waterfall draped in ferns and mosses that genuinely stuns kids who have never seen anything like it. Spicewood Springs near the campground offers a series of spring-fed pools with some of the clearest and most refreshing swimming in the Hill Country. The park also offers guided cave tours and 35 miles of trails making it one of the most activity-dense state parks in Central Texas for active families.

A secluded cove on Lake Travis with 8 miles of wooded Hill Country trails that feel genuinely remote without requiring a long drive from Austin. Lake access points let kids scramble down to the water for a swim or wade on warm days and deer sightings along the trail are practically guaranteed. Because the park is unmanned and relatively unknown compared to Pace Bend or Krause Springs it stays significantly less crowded on summer weekends. The primitive no-frills atmosphere means this is best for families with kids old enough to enjoy a real hike.

A family-friendly park in the rolling mesquite country south of Abilene with a large spring-fed pool surrounded by pecan trees that is the main draw for kids. The pool operates seasonally and feels like a throwback to simpler times. The Buffalo Wallow Trail winds through the park and the CCC-era structures including a stone pavilion are well-preserved. It is a low-key park that works well for families wanting an easy overnight camping trip.