State-Parks

If you’ve already read our family camping tips for first-timers, you know the philosophy: start close, keep it short, don’t overbuy. This is the other half - the actual checklist, built by reading what all 41 family campgrounds in our database tell you to bring and counting what repeats. It’s a shorter list than you’re expecting. And one item on it will surprise you. Four items cover almost everything Of the 24 campgrounds with detailed packing notes, 19 list the exact same three things: tent, sleeping bags, camp stove. That’s 79% of them, word for word, in that order. ...

Living in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro means you’re never more than a couple hours from some of Texas’s best state parks. Whether your kids are into swimming, hiking, mountain biking, or just running around in wide open spaces, there’s a park that fits. Here are our picks for the best state parks near Dallas for families. Cedar Hill State Park - 20 Minutes from Downtown Cedar Hill State Park is the closest real state park experience to Dallas, sitting right on Joe Pool Lake barely 20 minutes from the city center. Kids can swim at the sandy beach, fish from shore, hike the Talala Trail loop, or - if they’re old enough - tear up the DORBA mountain bike trails. With 350 campsites, it’s also one of the easiest parks to plan an overnight trip. ...

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: ...