Family Fun Trips Close to Home That Require Minimal Travel

There are several affordable family vacations to choose from if you want your family to experience a great vacation at lower costs. With today’s fuel and travel prices, it would seem that the best option would be to take them somewhere not too far from home; to a place where every family member can have fun. It is also important to choose when to travel. Planning family vacations after the peak season will not only leave you with more choices for family vacations, but often vacationing during these off-peak times is less expensive.

Vacation expenses pile up due to the high cost of fuel as well as pricey overnight accommodations. The best alternative is to ignore airline travel and go on a road trip. Travel closer to home and choose a great campsite where the whole family can have fun. Affordable family vacations are available “just around the corner” in most states. For those who think that camping may not be as creative as planning a vacation on your own, consider this: it saves a lot of time and money. It also presents alternatives like camping in tents or traveling in RVs (recreational vehicles) that will bring your whole family closer.

Whether you live in the Midwest, the South, or the Wild West, some of the least expensive family vacations can be found near your home. There are exciting camping spots nestled away in every part of the country, from sea to shining sea. 

Discover the Midwest

If you live somewhere in the Midwest, there are cost-friendly campsites near the Wisconsin Dells area. “The Dells” as it is referred to by the locals, is a popular tourist destination with 18 indoor and 3 outdoor waterparks. “The Waterpark Capital of the World” is home to several RV parks and campsites as well. Wisconsin vacation rentals are available at several campgrounds within the vicinity. These campgrounds also have economy campsites for families on tight budgets. Their grassy, simplistic tent sites and RV amenities beckon many campers and families. For those without tents or RVs, most of these campsites offer alternative lodging such as cozy cabins, chalets, bungalows, or lodges. There are also camp resorts that rent out tent sites for big groups like those in a Church group, a school field trip, a company outing or family reunion.

Most of these Wisconsin campgrounds come stocked with amenities that nearly every family member can enjoy.  These amenities may include boat rentals, playgrounds, board games, picnic tables, and game rooms. When searching for campsites, try to find one that features an interesting line-up of events and activities which the whole family can take part in. You and your family will thoroughly enjoy your vacation time! When visiting the Midwest, the Wisconsin Dells should definitely be on your list of places to see. 

Slow Things Down in the South

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of North Carolina and Tennessee’s major tourist attractions and should definitely be a vacation destination if you are traveling to the South. An affordable family vacation destination, it is home to a wide range of colorful flora and fauna. It is found in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, one of the country’s most popular vacation resorts. If you decide to park and stay at any of the Gatlinburg cabins available within the Smoky Mountains, your family can enjoy the beauty of this scenic National Park. Campsites in the Gatlinburg area have relaxing forest settings complete with creeks and streams. Vacation spots in the South are perfect for the family who loves the outdoors!

Some of the campsites offer tours of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other nearby attractions such as Civil War Battlegrounds or memorials. After a long day of sightseeing, Gatlinburg cabins are a welcoming retreat since many come fully equipped and furnished. Families who prefer to stay outdoors may use tent campsites and RV camping areas. These outdoor camping areas usually have full hook-ups for RVs. Gatlinburg campsites typically have complete restroom and laundry facilities, as well as recreation/entertainment areas. If your family stays in one of the camp sites, access to the usual amenities like game rooms, swimming pools, and mini-golf courses might also be available. For those living near the Smoky Mountains, the best way to make your vacation worthwhile and affordable is to rent one of the Gatlinburg cabins – available at many campgrounds and ready for you to enjoy!

The Big Sky State Will Leave You Breathless

If you are located out west, consider traveling a bit to the north to a state that rarely gets the attention it deserves, Montana.  Montana’s Glacier National Park is home to more than 130 lakes, over a thousand plant species, and hundreds of animal species. The equally beautiful Yellowstone Park has 3,468 square miles of lakes, canyons, rivers, and mountain ranges. To experience the wonders of these parks, consider staying as close to nature as possible in a Montana vacation rental.

Driving through Montana, you will discover a number of RV parks that offer complete amenities like pull-through sites and full hook-ups. There are also sites that rent out equipped and furnished cabins to families and individuals who are looking for a little more space or personal comfort. The areas surrounding these campsites are blessed with abundant wildlife and areas perfect for fishing. Montana vacation rentals are comfortable and fun camp areas. Recreational activities like swimming and exploring are common.  Other popular amenities include heated pools and mini-golf courses. Most Montana campsites also have playgrounds, game rooms, and clean restroom facilities.  In some places, Wi-Fi connections are available, but with so much nature surrounding you, it might be best to close the lid of your laptop and drink in all the surrounding beauty.

For those who are strictly interested in the natural aspect of all that Montana has to offer, some camps arrange sightseeing tours to Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks. Your family is sure to enjoy every moment spent in any of the campgrounds in Montana. It's an affordable vacation the whole family will surely enjoy.