Nothing energizes all your senses quite like getting outdoors. Just imagine the sight of sunlight filtering through the trees, the sounds of the forest waking in early morning, a crackling campfire in the dead of night and the tingling touch of a sparkling stream. Outside, you can reconnect with the real world, the one Mother Nature crafted. That’s an experience best shared. So pack up the car and give family camping a try. You’ll discover things about the world around you—and about yourself and others—that aren’t possible sitting inside.

“My reasons for camping with my family are pretty simple: It’s beautiful, peaceful, great exercise for everyone when combined with an activity like hiking or fishing—and my kids are rarely as constantly engaged as when we’re outside,” says Michael Lanza, Northwest Editor for Backpacker magazine who runs TheBigOutside.com. “They get bored at home, but I’ve never seen my kids get bored playing in a creek or scrambling around on boulders. Watching them make up a pretend universe makes me realize how much nature stimulates their imaginations in ways that nothing requiring electricity could ever do.”

And autumn is the perfect time to head outside. The crisp air is a welcome relief from the sweltering summer temperatures, and the woods spring to life from their heat-induced lethargy. The growing popularity of “stay-cations”—vacations close to home—makes camping even more attractive. According to a September 2009 report authored by the Outdoor Foundation, together with the Outdoor Industry Association and the Coleman Company, the number of Americans who enjoy “car and backyard” camping bounced back from a mild dip in 2007 to post a healthy 7.4 percent increase the following year, to more than 33 million Americans ages 6 and older. Another 16.5 million enjoy RV camping.

One major reason for the increase is that camping won’t derail the family budget. None of our top campsites will cost you as much as $50 per night. You can even think of camping as doing a small part to help boost the nation’s economy.

“Active outdoor recreation, including hunting, fishing, camping, climbing, hiking, paddling, backcountry skiing, mountain biking, wildlife viewing and other activities, drives a total of $730 billion in annual economic activity across the United States and supports 6.5 million jobs,” says Frank Hugelmeyer, president and CEO of the Outdoor Industry Association.

Bottom line: For most people, camping is an affordable activity, and one that pays dividends that far exceed what you invest. Here are some time-tested tips for getting started.

Practice, practice! Consider a trial run at home. Pitch a tent in the backyard, and let your kids help “set up camp.” Experiment with sleeping bags, mattress pads, even sleeping arrangements (my 13-year-old flails in her sleep, so we allow her extra room!). Make sure that everything—from stoves to headlamps—is in working order.

“The more organized you are prior to your trip, the better the experience in the woods,” – Steve Jermanok, a father of two who runs ActiveTravels.com.

Do your homework. As the motto of the Boy Scouts of America recommends, be prepared. Research campgrounds (making reservations if possible), trails and the weather before heading into the woods. This is even more important if your destination is a more “primitive” site. Ask your kids where they’d like to go; the answers might surprise you. It also gives them ownership of the experience. “Relax the normal family/home rules a bit regarding bedtime, desserts and how clean they’re expected to be,” says Lanza. “If you’re camping in a relatively undeveloped campground, scope it out for hazards—steep rocks, thorny plants, etc.—and point them out to your kids. But then give them some freedom to roam.”

Bring plenty of fuel. Don’t skimp on food. “One thing I love to do for a multi-day camping trip—because I know I’ll be tired on the first night—is to cook something at home that freezes well: spaghetti and meatballs, chicken and rice, or some kind of stew,” says Lafe Low, author of The Best in Tent Camping: New England. “Then I freeze it in a Tupperware container. I don’t put it in the cooler. By the time I’ve arrived at the campsite, set up my tent and sparked a fire, that previously frozen goulash is ready to throw in a pan and heat up.” And, just like home, leftovers rule.

Don’t forget, they’re kids. There’s a fine line between encouraging youngsters to push themselves, and pushing them over the edge. Be patient. Think “attitude, not altitude.” Sure, that hike in the Smokies would be spectacular, “but younger children will likely be impressed all of 10 minutes,” says Jermanok. “Remember, they’re the ones who choose to swim at the hotel pool rather than walk the 20 yards to the beach.”

Engage if practical, distract if necessary. We learn best when we’re immersed in the world around us. Stoke your child’s imagination with lessons about wildlife, trees or the change of seasons. Teach them map and compass skills. Don’t quiz them; just let them soak it up. “Your kids will then go back and teach their friends,” says Jeff Hogan, an Appalachian Mountain Club trip leader and father of two. If your child doesn’t take the wilderness-lesson bait, have a few favorite props handy—such as a Frisbee or glow sticks. Leave the electronic devices at home. “Organize a scavenger hunt,” says Jermanok. “Or play a quick game of Uno. Harmonicas and kazoos are always a good lightweight form of entertainment.”

Remember to play. Kids need to enjoy themselves. Have a fun destination in mind, like a waterfall or rocks to climb on, or a place where they can just run around. Getting outside doesn’t need to have any higher purpose than that.

When nature calls. Not all campgrounds have nice facilities. Inspect them before your kids do. On the trail or at a primitive site, heeding nature’s call is an opportunity to show children how to be self-sufficient (always pack toilet paper!), respect the environment and other campers, and to teach “Leave No Trace” guidelines (www.LNT.org).

Get the right gear, child-size. Wilderness veterans know that having the right gear is key. The same applies for your child. From jackets and backpacks to sunglasses and boots, buy quality stuff. “Bring twice as much clothing for the kids as you think you’ll need,” says Low. Remember the child-safe bug repellent, too.

The campfire cure-all. There’s something magical about a campfire under a canopy of stars. “I’ve never been thwarted from starting a nice little campsite blaze,” says Low, who even brings homemade fire starter as insurance. “Take an empty egg carton, fill the spots with wood chips and shavings, then fill them with melted wax. Just one of these little nuggets will help boost an otherwise stubborn fire.” Waterproof your wooden matches by dipping the ends in liquid wax.

Do it often. The more familiar kids become with the outdoors, the more comfortable they’ll be in wilderness settings. “I’m convinced that natural environments have basically the same effect on children as they do on adults, and it’s
incredibly positive and renewing,” says Lanza. “I’ve car-camped many times with my children since they were in diapers. They always look forward to the next trip.”

Get Outside!

The Southeast offers an abundance of great family camping destinations. Here are just a few favorites.

Alabama

Bear Creek Watershed in the northwest part of the state, near Russellville, features four lakes—from 670 to 4,200 acres—and scenic waterways that are ideal for canoeing, kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding. There are ample recreation options in the watershed, but sport fishing rules the roost. www.bearcreeklakes.com; 877-367-2232

Honorable mention: Wind Creek State Park, Alexander City, with 187 of the 626 campsites on the shores of Lake Martin. www.alapark.com/windcreek; 256-329-0845

Florida

Fort De Soto Park is a county recreational area on the Gulf side of the Sunshine State, boasting a 238-site campground that’s perfect for families. You’ll discover more than seven miles of waterfront recreation, including fishing piers, nature trails, a paved bike trail and a canoe trail. www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_ft_desoto.htm; 727-893-9185

Honorable Mention: Anastasia State Park, in St. Augustine, is a gem, with preserved beaches and wetlands. www.floridastateparks.org/anastasia; 904-461-2033

Georgia

Amicalola Falls State Park in Dawsonville takes its name from the Cherokee word for “tumbling waters,” and features a dazzling 729-foot waterfall, reputed to be the tallest in the East. Situated at the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, the park offers an intimate campground, excellent hiking trails and renowned interpretive programs. www.gastateparks.org/amicalola; 706-265-4703

Honorable Mention: Crooked River State Park is a tiny (62 campsites, 11 cottages) jewel covering 500 acres in the southeastern corner of the state. www.gastateparks.org/crookriv; 912-882-5256

North Carolina

Pisgah National Forest, an hour from Asheville, boasts more than 500,000 acres of unspoiled woodlands in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains. Enjoy swimming, trout fishing, boating, mountain biking, rock climbing, bird-watching. . . . In other words, paradise. www.forestcamping.com/dow/southern/pisginfo.htm; 828-877-3265

Honorable Mention: Croatan National Forest. 160,000 acres of pine forest, estuaries and bogs near the coast. www.forestcamping.com/dow/southern/croinfo.htm; 252-638-5628

South Carolina

Hunting Island State Park offers more than four miles of oceanfront, allowing campers to pitch their shelter in the main campground by the beach, or in the seclusion of walk-in tent campsites. Explore an historic lighthouse, forests and grassy estuaries. www.huntingisland.com; 843-838-2011

Honorable Mention: Oconee State Park, in the state’s “Golden Corner,” is an outdoor lover’s dream perched at 1,800 feet in the Blue Ridge Mountains. www.oconeecountry.com/oconeestatepark; 864-638-5353