Nothing says outdoor family bonding like sitting outside toasting marshmallows over a crackling campfire, soaking in the night stars and breathing in fresh mountain air.
However, when you go camping in the great outdoors with kids, things can go awry quickly. Thankfully, there are family-friendly camping options in Georgia that make parents' lives easier.
If you’ve ever found yourself daydreaming about taking on the great outdoors in a pack, but worried about bringing along the kiddos — don’t fear. You have options.
1. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park (Bremen)
The campsite's kid-friendly amenities include a mini golf course, playground, a theater and multiple game rooms. If your kids want to cool off, the campsite also has its own water theme park and splash pool. If you'd rather not worry with planning activities for your little tots throughout the day, Jellystone Park has got you covered. The park, about 50 miles north of Atlanta, organizes activities for the kiddos based on weekly themes, including anything ranging from arts and crafts to a flag raising ceremony with Yogi Bear. The campsite offers cabin rental accommodations, RV facilities and resort-style amenities.
With a name like Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp Resort you know the Water Zone water park will keep campers entertained. The Pelahatchie, Miss., resort has a zero-entry pool (where you walk right into the water, like at the beach), splash toys, water fort and a view of the adjacent lake. A Jellystone Park is scheduled to open in Waco, Ga., this summer. 1-866-433-9644, www.jellystonems.com or www.campjellystone.com. Rates: $17 (tent camping)-$226 (four-bedroom cabin) per night. Lisa Lowe Stauffer / AJC Special
2. Allatoona Landing Marine-Resort (Cartersville)
The resort is nestled about 38 miles just north of Atlanta and is located near the lake that offers plenty of fun activities for families. You can try out wakeboarding, tubing, jet-skiing or fishing on Allatoona's lake. Allatoona's full-service marina offers open slips 24 to 70 feet, with courtesy or shore power, as well as covered and open storage for RVs, jet skis and boat trailers with gated areas, according to the resort's website. The 116-site campground could host a RV or tent.
3. Yurts at Stone Mountain Park
Camping newbies who desire a more glamorous camping experience may find a camping site that offers yurts to be a good fit. A yurt, which is made of wood and canvas, features a deck, picnic table and grill/fire ring outside. Inside, the yurt offers a deck, pinic table, fire and grill. It's perfect for families who desire the quintessential camping experience but don't want to hassle over pitching their own tent. Over the summer, the campground offers a VeggieTales Day Camp every Tuesday for the entire month of June and July.
4. The Rock Ranch: Conestoga Campouts (The Rock)
Enjoy over 1,500 acres of Rock Ranch’s campsite which is full of stimulating activities such as train rides, zip lines, cane pole fishing, pedal boats and pony rides. At night, your whole family can sleep underneath the stars in a covered wagon, which has a total of eight bunks. Feel free to roast a marshmallow at a campfire cookout, listen to a professional storyteller and gaze upon the stars with an astronomer (available for an additional fee).
5. North Georgia Canopy Tours: Teepee Camping (Lula)
Don't let the word “Teepee” throw you off. The teepees at North Georgia Canopy Tours are fully equipped with air conditioning, lighting and electrical outlets. The campsite offers a slew of other outdoor activities to keep your family occupied like disc golf, corn hole, tetherball, board games and foosball.
The Overlook Trail at Fort Mountain State Park. Lesli Peterson
6. Fort Mountain State Park (Chatsworth)
The state park has two cool attractions for your family to enjoy: a stable with guided horseback tours and American Indian ruins. The over 800-foot stone wall that runs east to west is believed to be dated back to Native Americans that lived on the camp grounds around 500 AD. Other activities your family could enjoy are hiking on one of the park’s many trails or mountain biking.
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