Camping Mamas...I Need Help!

Updated on August 21, 2011
T.H. asks from Frisco, TX
16 answers

Okay, so I always wanted to camp and be outdoorsy, but my mom is SO not that kind of mom so we never camped. I did go to sleepaway camp when I was a kid, but no tents. Anyway, fast forward and I just slept in a tent for the first time ever about 4 years ago. My husband and I go on a campout every year with a big group of friends but we've never taken our kids anywhere to camp. I really wanted this year to be the year, but then my husband had to have hernia surgery, etc. Anyway, I digress, my question here is how the heck do I find a place to camp??!

I know it's late in the season and this may not even be a reality for this year, but since I'm so frustrated (I was just trying to look on-line for campgrounds minutes before posting this) I thought I'd ask some advice from the experts! ;)

How do I find a place to camp? What do I do to reserve the area? And anything else I need to know...? HELP!! Also, I don't want to go to the place where we camp with friends b/c it really is more of an adults only type area.

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So What Happened?

Oh my goodness thank you! You all make it sound so easy! Just from your basic responses I fell like maybe we can try fall camping, which would be a lot cooler, but I was nervous about not being able to swim, b/c I wasn't sure how else I could entertain a 3 y/o and 1 y/o without a body of water, but I guess I just need to be brave! ;) I will look into all the websites that you all supplied as well.

Featured Answers

C.B.

answers from Kansas City on

T., i'm in olathe, i'm not a seasoned camper but have done it a few times - go to google and put in "johnson county ks area lakes". there are TONS of lakes around here. you can find a phone number and call them and they can tell you all you need to know. ask about activities too, boats to rent, fishing, swimming, etc. good luck and have fun- it's really a super cheap, easy FUN outing for the kids. you guys will have so much fun!

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F.S.

answers from Pocatello on

We have a 3 year old and 1 year old and have gone to several of the Jellystone campgrounds and the kids really love them especially the hayride with the characters! I camped a lot when I was a kid but was super nervous about taking the kids and the best part about these campgrounds is that there are so many kids someone always seems up before us !!

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A.W.

answers from Seattle on

Most state parks have online reservation system. So search under state parks for your state and see what they have. Also the Department of Natural Resources lists public camping areas too.
And www.reserveamerica.com has tons of listing. And you can always try KOA too. The are a little more expensive, but they usually have fun stuff for kids like play areas and pools.

I know in my state, the state parks website is really good. Lists all the activities, how many campsites, etc. Often shows pictures of the area.

My husband and I have camped forever and we started sharing it with our daughter at age 4months. She absolutely loves camping and is almost 5.

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M.H.

answers from Atlanta on

My husband told me my camping days were over when we got married...He then decided to try motorhome camping because my elderly parents needed to travel with us and he thought that was a good route to go...since then I've gotten him into a tent and he loves it!

Try www.reserveamerica.com. This is a site that gives you camping areas all over the country.We use it to reserve a site at the Florida State Park system. We love camping at the beach. Our regular spot not only has a beach but has a lagoon with canoeing and 30 miles of bike trails...

Have fun!!!

M.

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J.P.

answers from Chicago on

We just camped with our kids for the first time this summer (in CO) and it was so much fun! One suggestion I have is when you make a reservation, ask for a site that is close to the bathroom. That was very helpful for us with girls ages 3 and 6! We also made sure the place had something for the kids to do (beach, etc.) They went fishing for the first time, which was a lot of fun. Camping is such a great experience for kids. We plan to do it more often! Sorry I don't have more info on actually finding a camp ground, but the ladies who mentioned state parks were helpful. Have fun!

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B.F.

answers from Chicago on

For tent camping I like State Parks, Forest Preserves, National Parks. They usually have campgrounds. I find that generally, they are much more "outdoorsy" than private campgrounds. www.stateparks.com is probably a good place to start your search.

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S.W.

answers from Minneapolis on

Does KS have state parks? Here in MN we have a system of state parks that are great places to camp, and reasonably priced.

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J.B.

answers from Atlanta on

I know nothing about Kansas, but I'm venturing to guess they have a state park system. Even if they don't have good ones, your neighbor state of Oklahoma has some nice ones (check out the ones near Grand Lake in northern OK -not far from the Kansas border). When you're camping with kids, it's great to have an electrical hookup and water at your site plus bath/toilet houses. State/National park campgrounds are also usually very reasonable and well-groomed (paved roads to the sites, graded sites, picnic tables and fire rings at every site, clean, etc.). They also have onsite people who make sure noise ordinances are enforced and you're not all kept up by drunk college kids until 4am. We make use of GA, FL and TN state parks often! I don't know if every state's park system follows this URL pattern (www.gastateparks.org), but you can google Kansas State Parks. You can usually reserve a spot online.

If you don't want to go the state park route, google Kansas campgrounds. Sites like Trip Advisor can offer reviews. KOA is a national chain that is usually nice, and they have lots of reviews and ratings to help guide you.

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S.H.

answers from St. Louis on

state parks, Department of Conservation areas.....most will have playgrounds.

just google "camping around Kansas City" & you'll find options!

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S.S.

answers from Chicago on

This may or may not work for you but it is a thought. I would set up the tent etc in the backyard and do a "mock" camp out with the kids this year. It will give them some idea of what it is like without really having to go anywhere big. Just a thought but our kids loved to sleep out in the backyard

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P.S.

answers from Houston on

We have state parks here in Texas. We can look up each park and find out if they have cabins available to rent, hook ups for campers or tent sites. Most of the parks have maps online, so we can pre-determine what spot we want (close to the bathroom facilities, close to the start of hiking trails, close to the river, as far away from the entrance as possible, etc). They recommend reservations but we went once where we just drove up and they have us a tent site. Once you enter, they give you a pass to put on your car w/your camping info (the number of yoru site and how long you'll be staying).

Most of our camping parks have 24hr security, where some sort of patrol drives around where the campers are.

I like tent camping near water and electric hook ups. I love roughing it but w/the option of modern amenities if I want them. I am a minimalist when it comes to camping - my tent, a sleeping bag, bottles of water and granola bars for my meals. But since I have a son and my husband isn't as much a minimalist as I am, we bring a portable stove, air mattress and a cooler of ice for refridgerated stuff. I limit our cooking gear to 1 pan, 1 spatula and we eat off paper goods.

Most camp sites have hiking, fishing, parks to play - whatever you like to do w/your family. People usually sit around and snack on junk food or s'mores, the kids ride their bikes or go exploring or play in the dirt or swimming, and at night we make a fire and eat more s'mores. So decide what you want to do and find a campsite that offers those activities.

Camping is so much fun w/kids. Don't be scared!

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C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

Try this website:

http://www.travelks.com/s/index.cfm?aid=434&gclid=CJP...

or this one:
http://kansas.localguides.com/ypcyellow/campgrounds_recre...

Jellystone camping is a true family experience and not far from Overland Park...
http://www.campjellystone.com/locations.html

I would also check National Parks.gov to see what's around you and where you want to go and experience!

HAVE FUN!!!

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C.M.

answers from Cincinnati on

The best place to start would probably be with your state parks. Also, Good Sam Club has a listing of campgrounds, so you might want to check them out. If you belong to AAA, They should be able to help. It has been a while, but I know they used to have a Camp Book which listed various campground within a region.

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N.H.

answers from Austin on

First place you can look is just do a general search online for 'campgrounds' in your area. Most states have state parks (or national parks). I'm in Texas, so I may search for either here in Texas or whereever I'm going..."campgrounds in Texas" then narrow it down that way or just 'campgrounds in Round Rock' or whereever. It should show you what's in the area if any place. I've been camping since I was a kid so if you need advice, feel free to contact me. I'll do my best & try to advise you. Good luck, have fun!

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L.M.

answers from New York on

First you need to decide what type of camping you like to do and what facilities you need/enjoy. For us we prefer shady sites, a place to swim, large site, so our best bet is a state campground. Private campgrounds usually have things like electric at all sites, playgrounds, rec room, etc, which we really don't need or use.

Many state parks require you to use reserve america to book a campsite. Personally, I don't care for this at all, but the website www.reserveamerica.com does have some good features. A trick to using this site is they make you put in a date range, if you're not sure just put in a 2 week range, you can change it when you actually make the reservation.

Here are some other websites you might want to try.
http://www.allcampgrounds.com/ks.html
http://www.stateparks.com/ks.html

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A.C.

answers from Boston on

I'm not familiar with KS, so I don't know if this is practical as far as distance and driving times, but try your state website. Usually they will have listed all state parks and campgrounds. Here in NH these are my personal preferred places to camp. The rates are usually cheaper, and the grounds are well maintained. All of the information about each campground is on the site, including how to make reservations and directions. Also, if your a AAA member they have books on AAA approved campgrounds. The time of year should not make too much difference. Even here in NH, there are campgrounds open all year. I personally would not want to camp in the snow, but hey, to each his own right? Good luck in your search and have a great time.

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