Benefits of RV Camping

If you have kids, you probably take an annual family vacation. However, between expensive hotel rooms, dining out and pricy amusement parks, family vacations can cost a small fortune. One solution to high priced vacations is investing in an RV (Recreational Vehicle). Once thought to be vacation travel mode of senior citizens, more and more families with young children are purchasing RV's or tow-behind campers, instead of tickets to Disney. Even with gas prices rocketing, camping with an RV is still cheaper than staying at many resorts and hotels.

Benefits of RV Camping

There are numerous benefits of RV camping. Prices of campgrounds are far less than that of most hotels. You can stay a month at a campground for what you would pay for a weekend at some hotels. In addition, there are hundreds of national parks and campgrounds to choose from all across the United States. Some parks have RV restrictions, but many, including, Yosemite, Yellowstone and the White Mountains National Forest in New Hampshire, all have RV accommodations.

Kids & RV Camping

Kids love RV camping. In an age when children cannot ride their bikes where they want, for fear of traffic, and can't walk to the store by themselves, for fear of kidnapping, an RV campground can be a fun and kid-friendly place for them to practice their growing independence. Kids can ride their bikes around the grounds, play on the playground and basketball court, and spend their allowance money at the game room or camp store. They can also meet other kid-campers. Of course, you shouldn't assume because you are camping all your neighbors are June and Ward Cleaver. Be sure to remind your kids that they should never ever go into a stranger's campground. However, many campgrounds are small enough that you can keep track of your kids as they zoom by on their bikes.

Choosing the Right Campground

When choosing a campground, consider your families needs. Are your kids avid swimmers? Then choose a location that has a swimming pool or beach. Do they love to hike? Then perhaps choose a park located in a national park, near hiking trails. Campgrounds situated on riverbanks often have shallow water, perfect for toddlers and younger kids. However, when making a reservation at a campground, it is a good idea to stay away from sites directly on water (beach front, rive front) if you have small children. Likewise, make sure you are not too close to any main roads or highways, if you have small children prone to wandering.

Many families rent campsites near their homes, where they park their RV for the summer. This is a fun way to get away from home every weekend, or even during the week, without having to shell out extra cash or miss work. If you are planning on a lot of traveling during the summer, you might want to consider purchasing a national parks pass. It costs $50.00 and covers admittance fees into all US national parks.

Many popular tourist destinations offer a variety of RV campgrounds along with hotels and resorts. For example, the Mt. Washington Valley, in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, offers several amusement parks, national parks, hiking trails, museums and shopping, all within an hour or two of driving. By choosing to stay at a local RV campground, rather than a hotel, you can still enjoy all the sites and attractions, and save a bundle on lodging.

Purchasing an RV is a wonderful family investment that can pay for itself in one or two summers. For a home away from home, with all the amenities (well, almost all) an RV can make "roughing it" a little more fun for the whole family!