Nearly every Oregon family goes camping together at least once—it’s our state’s culture! The experience helps everyone be active, connect with nature, and explore the PNW’s stunning natural beauty. If your kidsare finally at the age when they can embark on their first camping trip, then we’re here to help you plan so everything is smooth sailing.
Start With a Family-Friendly Location
Oregon has no shortage of camping grounds. The best Oregon campsites for families are accessible, large, rich with activities, and connected to amenities. Consider these top options:
- Silver Falls State Park
- Cape Lookout State Park
- Trillium Lake
If you’re going during the summer, make sure to book your spot early! Campsites, especially large ones for families, fill up fast.
Gear Up Without Overpacking
If you’re an experienced camper, you already know what you need to pack. Here are a few extra things that will keep your kids happy and comfortable the whole time:
- Their favorite snacks
- Extra bedding
- Offline games and activities
- Cleaning wipes
- Little camping chairs
- No-spill cups
- Hats with straps
- Binoculars (trust us; they’ll love this one!)
It doesn’t really matter how old your children are. These supplies will help your kids get to sleep when camping and stay comfortable and engaged throughout each day’s activities.
Plan Fun Activities
Aside from the books, puzzles, and other offline games you bring, plan some activities the whole family can enjoy together. Hiking shorter, trail-loop paths, teaching your kids simple campfire cooking, and playing card games are great starting points. You might even choose to bring along a nature scavenger hunt list for them to explore the beauty of Oregon’s forests. At night, gather around the campfire, share stories, and look up at the stars.
Keep Expectations Realistic
Camping with kids is an adventure, not a perfectly curated Pinterest board. Be ready for some meltdowns over not being able to charge devices or getting too many bug bites.
Keep a good sense of humor throughout the trip, remembering that your kids are having a brand-new and potentially overwhelming experience at times. Just keep involving them in small responsibilities, checking in, and teaching them how to be a happy camper by example.
Planning your kids’ first camping trip is less about ticking all the right boxes and more about bonding and making memories. Even if things don’t go exactly as planned, you’re sure to get a story out of it!
