Camper Trip USA with Kids
A Family Adventure
Traveling as a family is always an adventure, and when we decided to explore America, choosing to travel by camper was an easy decision. Traveling with a camper offers so many advantages, especially with young children. In this blog, I share our experiences and tips for an unforgettable camper trip through America with kids.
Our Camper Trip through America with Kids
Our journey started in Los Angeles, where we stayed in a hotel for three nights after the long flight to recover a bit. Then the moment had finally arrived: we got to pick up the camper! The feeling of freedom you get the moment you step into the camper is unmatched. You have your own little space with you, full of convenience and comfort, and you can literally drive toward the most beautiful places in America.
Joshua Tree National Park
From LA, we drove to Joshua Tree National Park, an impressive desert landscape full of rugged rock formations and the iconic Joshua Trees. You can go on beautiful hikes here, but it’s also easy to drive from viewpoint to viewpoint with your camper, which is ideal when traveling with small children. We stayed in the area for two nights and enjoyed the surreal beauty of the park.
The highlight for our kids was climbing the rocks around Skull Rock — a natural playground that kept them entertained for hours! Other must-sees include the Cholla Cactus Garden, a stunning area filled with photogenic cacti, and Keys Viewpoint, offering a breathtaking panorama.
Tip: Start your visit at the visitor center and pick up a booklet for the Junior Ranger Program. This program actively engages children in their park visit with fun activities and interesting facts. The booklet is available at all national parks in the USA and makes the adventure even more special for kids!
The Grand Canyon
Our next stop was the Grand Canyon, one of the most breathtaking places you will ever see. This world-famous natural wonder is so vast and impressive that it almost feels unreal. We drove the Desert View Drive, a beautiful route along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Along this road, there are several stops where you can easily park and take short walks to the most stunning viewpoints (the Lipan viewpoint was our favorite). The views from these points are phenomenal; you see the endless depths and colors of the canyon that seem to continuously change depending on the light. It’s an experience that truly makes you pause and appreciate the grandeur of nature.
For families with children, this route is ideal because the distances between stops are short and the walks are not too strenuous.
Page
After that, we headed to Page, where we found a campsite with a swimming pool – perfect for relaxing after our adventures. Page proved to be a fantastic base to explore some of the most iconic spots in the area.
Antelope Canyon
One of the highlights was our visit to Antelope Canyon, a narrow slot canyon with breathtaking light. The sandstone walls, carved by water and wind, are incredibly photogenic and seem to glow in shades of orange and red. We walked a few hundred meters through the Upper Canyon, where a guide took us along and explained the geology and history of this unique place. It’s nearly impossible not to take impressive photos here – an absolute highlight of our trip!
Horseshoe Bend
We also visited Horseshoe Bend, one of the most iconic viewpoints in the United States. Here, the Colorado River curves in a horseshoe shape through the stunning red landscape of Arizona. The viewpoint is just a short walk from the parking lot, but the panoramic view is incredibly impressive. It’s truly a must-see if you’re near Page.
Lake Powell
We also spent a day at Lake Powell, a massive reservoir with beautiful sandy beaches. Especially on weekends, it’s quite the experience – Americans go all out for a day at the water. From volleyball nets and tents to coolers and even couches – you’ll be amazed! With kids, Lone Rock Beach is highly recommended. You can drive your camper right onto the beach, which makes everything super convenient. The water is wonderfully warm and calm, ideal for a relaxing day of swimming and playing. It felt like we were on a tropical beach in the middle of the desert – a unique and special experience!
Moab
Monument Valley
On our way to Moab, we made a short stop in Monument Valley, where the iconic red rock formations gave us a true “Wild West” feeling. This area, famous from countless movies and TV shows, is absolutely breathtaking. We drove through the valley and made several stops to enjoy the views. The deep red colors and impressive formations against the blue sky are unforgettable. It truly feels like stepping back in time to the old Wild West.
Note: campers are not allowed inside the park, so booking a tour is a must!
Canoeing on the Colorado River
We stayed in Moab for four nights – a perfect place for adventurers and nature lovers. One of our highlights was canoeing on the Colorado River. It’s a great way to see the surroundings from a different perspective. We rented canoes and set out on the river at our own pace. Along the way, we stopped at secluded little beaches to swim, play, or have something to eat and drink.
Arches National Park
We also visited Arches National Park, a place where more than 2,000 natural stone arches dominate the landscape. For children, this park is a true playground, with plenty of opportunities to climb and scramble over the rocks. There are many short hikes, making it very doable even with young kids. Our children’s favorite was Sand Dune Arch, where they played in the soft sand between the rocks.
Read all our tips about staying in Moab in our extensive blog Arches National Park with Kids – 40x Tips!
Bryce Canyon
An absolute highlight of our trip was Bryce Canyon, a unique natural area that feels like you’ve landed on another planet. The colorful hoodoos – spire-shaped rock formations in all shades of red, orange, and white – create a breathtaking landscape unlike anywhere else in the world. We took a beautiful hike among these impressive formations, where it felt like we were walking through a stone labyrinth.
Las Vegas
Finally, we visited the red rocks of Valley of Fire State Park, a stunning natural area named after its bright red sandstone formations that seem to glow in the sunlight. This park, located in the Nevada desert, gave us one last chance to admire the rugged and impressive nature of the Southwest.
After visiting Valley of Fire, we continued to Las Vegas, where we returned our camper. Las Vegas, with its glitz and glamour, formed a striking contrast with the natural beauty and tranquility we had experienced in the previous weeks. It was the perfect place to end our road trip in style.
Why take a camper trip through the USA with kids?
One of the biggest advantages of traveling by camper is that you always have everything with you. With children, that’s incredibly convenient. In the national parks, for example, you always have a toilet nearby – very handy when little ones suddenly need to go. Plus, we can eat wherever we want, without relying on restaurants. That not only saves money but also a lot of hassle, because eating out every day with kids can be exhausting. Being able to cook in the camper is a big advantage compared to staying in hotels.
What we also appreciated was that the kids slept in the same bed every night. That gave a sense of peace and continuity, even though we moved around frequently. No need to pack suitcases or switch from hotel to hotel. For our family, the camping life was truly ideal – enjoying the outdoors, the freedom to cook for ourselves, and the convenience of having everything we needed always within reach.
Why choose an RV trip through America with kids?
One of the best things about traveling by camper is the outdoor lifestyle.
Camping is truly a way of life for many Americans, and it was fascinating to see how they enjoyed their vacations with huge RVs and trailers. It gave us a great opportunity to connect more with the locals. Our kids played with other children on the campgrounds while we cooked outside and enjoyed quality time together.
How the kids experienced traveling by camper
Our kids absolutely loved traveling by camper. They enjoyed having their own things close by and being able to play freely at the campgrounds. The actual traveling wasn’t a problem for them at all — in fact, it became their favorite screen time moment, as they were allowed to use the tablet during long drives!
Their favorite part of the trip was definitely sleeping in the alcove above the driver’s cabin. It felt like their own little fort, and they loved going to bed together every night in their cozy “hut.” For us, it was so special to all sleep in one space as a family — it really added to the sense of togetherness.
Tips for parents considering a camper trip through the USA with kids
A camper trip through the USA with kids is an amazing experience, but there are a few things to keep in mind. Here are some tips:
Plan ahead: In the national parks — especially during high season — it’s essential to book your campsites well in advance. Campgrounds fill up quickly, and with kids, you’ll want to avoid the stress of last-minute searching.
Keep travel days short: We drove a maximum of 4 hours per day, but ideally 2 to 3 hours. This kept the kids happy and gave us plenty of time to enjoy each destination.
Schedule rest days: We made sure to include at least one rest day per week, staying at the campground all day to sleep in, play, swim, and do laundry. These breaks gave us a chance to recharge before the next adventure.
Stay at campgrounds with facilities: We often stayed at campgrounds just outside the national parks that had swimming pools — a brilliant decision! After a hot day in nature, a dip in the pool was exactly what we needed. A campground with a pool or playground can make all the difference for the kids after a day full of adventure.
Conclusion: Camper trip through the USA with kids
Our camper trip through America was an unforgettable adventure. The freedom, the comfort of always having everything at hand, and the opportunity to stay right in the middle of nature made this journey an amazing experience for our family. Are you considering an RV trip through America with children? We definitely recommend it! If you want to plan your own camper trip through America with kids, be sure to check out the Travelhome website.
This blog was written in collaboration with Travelhome.
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