Camping with kids can be tricky. But with a little planning ahead, it can be a wonderful opportunity to make happy memories. Here, we share our family's tips for picking the right spot, packing the right stuff, and making a plan that works — for a FUN camping trip for everyone.
Sleeping bags, sitting around the fire, and roasting marshmallows.... and then screaming.... crying... fighting... kids... if that's how your camping trips usually go, you're not alone. Here's how we deal.
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It takes more than packing the s’mores fixins to plan a great camping trip with your family in the Ozarks. In fact, there’s a whole lot that goes into it. Luckily, I’m going to cover everything you need to know here—so if you’re new to camping, don’t worry! Or, feel free to skip ahead with the TOC below.
In this camping guide for newbies, we’ll cover:
✔ What to Do (with an Example Plan)
Types of Camping
Camping can mean different things to different people. It includes everything from pitching a tent in your backyard to traveling around the country in your car that converts into a camper at night, an RV, or even glamping.
Decide which type of camping your family wants to try first. Below, we list them in order from least commitment to most dedicated.
Glamping
Sprinkled throughout the Ozarks, you’ll find some luxurious camping opportunities. These are available to rent by the night for around $100. Amenities vary, but you could find glamping accommodations that have AC, heat, and even tubs and showers! You can expect similar amenities as you would find when staying in a tiny vacation rental.
Glamping is a great option for first-time campers, especially for families with little ones who might get fussy in the heat, families with babies, or groups whose kids can't stand to be around bugs. It gives a buffer between going totally without the comforts of modern life and getting closer to nature without committing to buying all the gear.
Rent a Camper
Another option if you don’t have much camping gear is a vacation rental in the form of a camper. Often, owners set up a camper in the wilderness furnished with all the necessities you’d find in a regular vacation rental. Rates vary highly according to the size of the camper, location, etc., but you can find them for around $150 per night or less!
Tent Camping
Tent camping is financially less commitment than buying a camper or RV, but it does take a lot of gear and effort to make it comfortable. The campsite itself usually costs between $5 and $30 per night. Camping gear expenses, though, can add up quickly.
Tent camping can also be a real nightmare if the weather turns bad during your trip (either super hot or rainy). We highly recommended investing in a pop-up awning for your campsite in case it sprinkles—you and your belonging will stay dry.
Packing food in a cooler starts out well, but quickly gets gross when the ice starts to melt. Check out this portable refrigerator to avoid the mess and wasted food.
With that said, we still recommend that everyone try tent camping at least once! If you decide you love it, you’ll find an endless supply of camping gear to add to your collection. Tent camping is versatile; the gear comes in all sizes to accommodate just a single-person up to large families or even large groups.
Car-Camping, RV, Pull-behind, and Pop Up Campers
Campers on wheels can be a larger investment, costing between $2,000 to $200,000 or more. But if you want to stay out of the heat and be able to travel with all your gear pre-loaded—it might be right for you. There are entire channels on YouTube dedicated to converting your car into an affordable night-time camper. Since this camping guide is geared toward newbies, we will focus more on the experience of tent camping rather than the other types mentioned, but we thought you should know what's possible in case you love it!
Upgrade your primitive campsite with a Jackery Powerstation.
Where to Camp in the Ozarks
The Ozarks is full of hundreds (or thousands) of choices when it comes to picking a spot to pitch a tent. Check out our interactive map of campgrounds in the Ozarks. Here are some highlighted campgrounds in the Ozarks that we recommend:
Lake Tenkiller: There are multiple campgrounds at Lake Tenkiller in Oklahoma.
Meramec Caverns: Super amazing campground right on the Meramec River in Missouri, with plenty to do other than camping.
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Rescue: Go on a unique camping experience as you sleep among the wildcats at this big cat rescue in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
Buffalo National River: Pick a spot along the Buffalo National River n Arkansas at one of many campgrounds.
Coler Mountain Bike Preserve: Love mountainbiking? Stay overnight at this amazing spot in Bentonville, Arkansas, where there are plenty of trails for all ages and skill levels.
Devil’s Den State Park: Enjoy an entire state park in Arkansas and find some nature-surrounded camping spots.
Roaring River State Park: This state park in Missouri allows camping right on the thunderous river that’s stocked fresh with trout. While you’re there, check out the intense fish hatchery operation!
Natural Falls State Park: Oklahoma's Natural Falls State Park offers accessible waterfall views, hiking trails, and two playgrounds for the kids. The campground has a tent loop and RV spots with full hookups, and the $10 parking fee is waived during your stay.
Picking Your Spot
If you’re planning your first camping trip, we recommend starting with a campground that offers water and electricity at each site (Class A). Most forested parks will have a campground either inside the park or nearby.
You can also check out the Roadtrippers app to find a campground near your destination. Other helpful apps to find campgrounds include Recreation.gov, The Dyrt, and Hipcamp.
Campgrounds offer multiple campsite types, such as:
RV: Includes hookups for electricity, water, and sometimes sewer for RVs and campers
Class A: Includes electrical outlets & water spigot
Tent Only: May have shared water and parking lot off-site
Class B: Primitive sites without access to water or electricity
All sites usually come with a picnic table and fire ring with a grill grate, but you may want to confirm before booking your spot.
Sleeping on the ground is hard. Pack this inflatable sleeping pad to make it softer.
For your first time camping with your family, you will want to choose a campground with an on-site shower facility that has running water and flush toilets. Some campgrounds only have porta-potties or pit toilets and no shower facilities, so just be sure you’re okay with that before you book.
If you decide that you love camping, you might enjoy venturing outside of the campgrounds, perhaps on a guided backpacking trip.
Reserving Your Spot
Many campgrounds require reservations prior to arrival, but some do offer first-come, first-serve options. We recommend booking at least one month in advance to ensure a good spot, but if it’s already past that timeline usually you’ll still be able to book on short notice. For your first camping trip, we recommend a one or two-night stay. Since most of the first night is spent setting up camp—we've found that two nights is the sweet spot.
Reservations can be made by calling the campground directly or booking online from the official vendor. Some campgrounds only allow walk-ins, we do not recommend that for your first time camping in order to minimize the unknowns.
What to Pack for Camping
Packing for a camping trip requires much more planning than a regular vacation.
Get your totes ready and fill them up for your adventure. Find a backpack and load it up. Load your car, SUV, or truck and get on the road! If it doesn't fit, consider getting a hitch cargo carrier to hold your cooler and a couple of totes.
Download our camping pack checklist to see what we pack with every camping trip. Otherwise, continue reading below for just the essentials.
Here are the bare minimums (our personal recommendations are in the links):
Essentials:
🔲 Tent (and everything that goes with putting it up - like a rubber mallet and tarp)
🔲 Sleeping Bags (or air mattress and pump)
🔲 Food & Drinks (extra water)
🔲 Mess Kits & Cooking Utensils
🔲 Grilling utensils (spatula, tongs, grilling gloves)
🔲 Firewood, lighter, & firestarters (Buy firewood within 50 miles of the campsite)
🔲 Wash basins or buckets for washing
🔲 Cooler & ice
🔲 Trash bags
🔲 Aluminum Foil
🔲 Bug Spray & Sunscreen
🔲 Clothes (extra socks and shoes)
🔲 Towels
🔲 Knife, hatchet, and/or multi-tool
Nice to have:
🔲 Camp chairs
🔲 Canopy
🔲 Dry bag
🔲 Swimsuits
🔲 Fishing gear
🔲 Roasting sticks
🔲 Camp stove & propane
🔲 Pillows & blankets
🔲 Fans
What Do Campers Do?
If you've never been camping, you may wonder what you do all day? Trust me, keeping the fire going and grilling your meals keeps you pretty busy. But there is some time for other fun. Here's a typical schedule for a two-day camping trip for a family:
Day #1 - Arrival
4:00 PM - Arrive & Setup Tent
5:00 PM - Start Fire and Make Dinner
6:00 PM - Eat and Clean Up After Dinner
6:30 Til Sundown - Take the kids to the playground, Enjoy the Fire, Chat, Take a Short Hike, Decide on Your Next Day's Plans
9:00 PM - Get Kids Settled in the Tent
10:00 PM - Quiet Hours and Bedtime
Day #2 - Adventure Day
7:00 AM - Wake up Early, rekindle the fire and make breakfast
8:00 AM - Eat and Clean up After Breakfast
8:30 AM - Pack Lunches and Go hiking, floating, fishing, or exploring for the day
4:00 PM - Get Fire Ready for Dinner
5:00 PM - Make Dinner
6:00 PM - Eat and Clean Up After Dinner
6:30 Til Sundown - Enjoy the Fire, Chat about the day, Play Catch, Play a game
9:00 PM - Get Kids Settled in the Tent
10:00 PM - Quiet Hours and Bedtime
Day #3 - Departure
7:00 AM - Wake up Early, rekindle the fire and make breakfast
8:00 AM - Eat and Clean up After Breakfast
8:30 AM - Pack up tent and belongings
10:00 AM - Make sure the fire is out and the campsite is clean before heading out!
10 First-Time Camping Tips & Tricks
To wrap up this camping guide for newbies, we’ll leave you with a few tips and pointers to keep in mind as you go explore the wilderness of the Ozarks.
Check the weather and avoid the rain at all costs for your first trip.
Pick a spot that’s close to the restrooms if you have kids.
Put your tent up before dark.
Find a flat spot for your tent.
Lock up your cooler so raccoons and other animals don’t make off with your food.
Take the trash out nightly before bed.
Meal plan & prep ahead of time, like cutting up meat and veggies for kabobs.
Use a dry bag inside your cooler for food so it doesn’t get saturated with ice water.
Let your tent dry out before you pack it up.
Make sure your fire is out before you leave.
Get Your Camp On with Our Camping Guide
Camping can be a whole lot of fun for the entire family. We dream that this camping guide is a useful tool, leading to amazing experiences for families trying out camping for the first time together.
Plan ahead, relax, and give it a go for the best chance at a positive experience! Plus, keep in mind that not all campgrounds are created equally. If at first, you don’t succeed, try again!