The Urban Explorers: Camping for City Folk

If your city
family is new to camping or haven’t been in the great outdoors in a few
years, plenty of campgrounds near urban areas have accommodations for those
who aren’t ready to dive into the tent/RV lifestyle just yet. We’ve
highlighted a few great campgrounds with cabins, yurts, park models and even
a caboose within a short drive of the city life. Don’t see your city? Use our
Park Finder page and select the accommodation types you prefer to find your
next
adventure.

Boston

Sandy Pond
Campground

• Sandy Pond
  Campground is a peaceful and scenic hide-away just minutes away from the Cape
  Cod Canal. All of the exciting attractions of Plymouth and Cape Cod are
  easily accessible. With the swimming beach, canoe rentals and 2,000 feet of
  shoreline, Sandy Pond offers an ideal spot for both swimming and fishing
  enthusiasts. Accommodations include basic cabins for those who prefer a roof
  over their head at night.

Normandy
Farms Family
Campground

• Normandy Farms
  features a 20,000 square foot recreation lodge with a heated indoor pool,
  sauna and wellness and fitness center; three outdoor pools; a business
  center; complimentary Wi-Fi; playgrounds; a fishing pond; an 18-hole disk
  golf course; dog park and much more. Accommodations include deluxe cabin
  rentals with porch and fireplace and unique yurt rentals equipped with a flat
  screen, fireplace, kitchenette and
  more.

Portland,
Maine

Hemlock Grove
Campground

• Located in
  Southern Maine’s most sought after vacation destination, Hemlock Grove
  Campground is a short ways away from miles of area beaches, hiking and biking
  trails, amusement parks, golfing, museums and zoos. Accommodations include
  cabins for six that include linens, flat screen TVs, central heat and A/C,
  full kitchen and more.

Acres of
Wildlife Campground

• Stay in
  a tree house or a brand new hobbit house at Acres of Wildlife Campground in
  the Sebago Lake area of Southern Maine. There’s a stocked private lake with fishing,
  a large sandy beach, activities, restaurant, store and more. Other
  accommodation options include traditional cottages, rooms at The Campground
  Inn on the Waterfront and rooms in the Moose
  Lodge.

Saint
Louis

St.
Louis West/Historic Route 66
KOA

• Guests can stay in a
  refurbished caboose as they enjoy picturesque camping as it was meant to be –
  with lots of trees, a babbling creek, fireflies and a campfire under a
  starlit sky. Located on Historic Route 66, this KOA is less than 1 mile from
  Six Flags St. Louis and less than 30 minutes from other St. Louis
  attractions. Camping and deluxe cabins are also available.

Sundermeier RV
Park

• Sundermeier RV Park is
  20 miles west of St. Louis, which features the Gateway Arch, numerous
  museums, St. Louis Zoo, concerts and Broadway performances at the Fabulous
  Fox Theater and the Muny Opera in Forest Park. There are activities for
  everyone at Sundermeier including frontier re-enactments, arts and crafts
  demonstrations and holiday activities. Accommodations include sleeping and
  deluxe cottages.

San
Diego

San Diego KOA
Resort

• San Diego KOA Resort
  is an award-winning, family just minutes from all of San Diego’s attractions.
  Guests can enjoy the new jumping pillows, pool, rock climbing wall, giant
  playground, fun cycle bike rentals, The Surf Shack Shootout Game, summer
  staffed activities and new onsite beach-themed restaurant. Accommodations
  include deluxe cabins, camping cabins and safari
  tents.

Santee
Lakes Recreation Preserve

• Santee
  Lakes Recreation Preserve is an award winning, 190 acre Park and Campground
  surrounding seven scenic lakes filled with recycled water. The park provides
  a safe and tranquil setting for camping, fishing, picnics, fitness, bird
  watching, boating, biking and special events in a natural environment.
  Accommodations include cabins along the waterfront and floating cabins that
  include a private pedal boat, and a large front porch with patio table and
  chairs.

Tampa
Bay

St.
Petersburg/Madeira Beach
KOA

• Minutes from the
  sugar-white Gulf of Mexico beaches, this Gulf Coast KOA Holiday is located in
  tropical paradise setting along a mangrove-lined bayou. Campground amenities
  include a fishing dock, two hot tubs, a crystal clear outdoor pool, and
  community-focused programs. Accommodations include a variety of cabins from
  rustic camping cabins with a set of bunk beds to deluxe cabins overlooking
  the water with a full bath that sleeps
  eight.

Winter
Quarters Manatee RV Resort

• Winter
  Quarters Manatee RV Resort in Florida has a great, central location, close to
  Anna Marie Island, Siesta Key beaches, St. Armand’s Circle, Ringling Museum
  and Busch Gardens. The beautiful Sarasota area also offers the finest
  beaches, sport fishing, exciting attractions and restaurants for enjoyment.
  Accommodations include park models that sleep four and two bedroom rental
  trailer that can sleep up to six.