Top 8 Campsites for Hunting and the Whole Family

What if you could plan a hunting trip that was also fun for the whole family, but didn’t necessarily mean bringing them all up in the tree stand with you? We found eight great camping spots across the country that have something every can enjoy: unique lodging amenities, scenic hiking opportunities, fishing and more. It’s time to plan something fun for everyone!

1. Idaho’s Edna Creek Campground Reserve

The Edna Creek Campground Reserve in Idaho offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and forests. With big game hunting opportunities when in season, this camping location also offers river and stream fishing opportunities, numerous hiking trails, plenty of space for ATVs, and skiing in the winter. Find out more about Edna Creek Campground Reserve here.

2. West Virginia’s Camp Creek State Park and Forest

This scenic 6,000-acre camping destination offers over 35 miles of trails and seven miles of seasonally stocked trout streams. Most importantly, hunters are welcome! With four primitive campsites to choose from, finding a place to pitch your tent is easy. But for those looking for a more unique excursion, visitors can rent the Camp Creek Ranger Outpost Cabin—a secluded mountain retreat sure to turn your hunting trip into a couple’s vacation. Find out more about having it all at Camp Creek State Park and Forest here.

3. Wyoming’s Boysen State Park

This campsite find is geared towards fun for the whole family, offering beaches, playgrounds, marinas, fishing, RV-camping and more. Hunting is allowed if you remain more than 400 yards from facilities and campground areas, and the family can stay in one of three available cabins at night and hit the beach during the day. Find out more about Boysen State Park here.

4. Utah’s Willow Lake Campground

Sitting at the bottom of an alpine basin high on the Wasatch Plateau, this campground is shaded by the abundance of spruce, fir and aspen trees that dot the open landscape. Perfect for families or couples who enjoy fishing with fishing access points on all sides of the lake. In addition, the Arapeen OHV Trail System offers more than 350 miles of maintained trails for all riding levels. Hunting is permitted, and you can find out more about Willow Lake Campground here.

5. Oregon’s Oregon Mine Campground.

Described as a great base camp for hunters, the Oregon Mine Campground is popular for big game such as Rocky Mountain Elk, Mule Deer, and big horn sheep. However, you can bring the family (and horses, if you have them) along to enjoy the other amenities such as the Cedar Grove Botanical Area which consists of 26 acres of isolated Alaska Yellow Cedar—the only ones east of the Cascade Mountains in the United States! Find out more about the Oregon Mine Campground here.

6. Montana’s Lodgepole Campground

Situated along the district of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, and across the street from Georgetown Lake, Lodgepole Campground is another great vacation getaway that’s hunter friendly. With 29 units that are tent or RV friendly and able to be reserved, the family can enjoy the cool mountain waters while you enjoy the abundant population of moose, elk, white-tailed deer, and bighorn sheep. Find out more about Lodgepole Campground here.

7. Iowa’s Prairie Flower Recreation Area

This spacious campground offers 153 family sites and 10 group sites, all with electrical hook-ups. Take the kids to enjoy some time looking over the 6000-acre lake, while also enjoying the full amenities available such as flush toilets, showers, and drinking water. With a swimming beach, playgrounds, and educational programs this Iowa outdoor experience will leave everyone with something to remember. For hunters, it will most likely be the white-tailed deer, turkey, waterfowl, and other small game animals commonly found around the lake. Find out more about the Prairie Flowers Recreation Area here.

8. Colorado’s Golden State Canyon Park

Trendy yurts and horse friendly guest houses with linen services, gas fireplaces, and a full kitchen may not be what the wife expected when you pitched your hunting trip/ family vacation combo, but it's what you can deliver at Golden State Canyon Park. With hunting allowed from Labor Day to Memorial Day, you can woo the wife with her choice of social media worthy yurt lodgings, cabins, or guest homes. And the whole family can stay busy all day with rock climbing, horseback riding, and fishing opportunities. Find out more about Golden State Canyon Park here.

Photo courtesy of Unsplash.