Why RV Travel with Kids is the Ultimate Family Adventure

This is a sponsored post in partnership with Indie Campers.

A while back, we shared an article about the perks of cruising and why we enjoy this method of travel. From only having to unpack once to waking up in a new destination each day, cruising offers so many family-friendly benefits. RV travel with kids is another great option for family-friendly travel! It brings many of these same perks as cruising, plus a few unique advantages of its own. Traveling by RV with kids offers the perfect balance of outdoor adventure and the comforts of home. The journey itself becomes part of the adventure, making this another preferred way for our family.

We did some pretty epic RV road trips before our son was born, including a journey through Utah’s Mighty 5 (Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion) and a drive along Scotland’s famous North Coast 500 Route. This method of travel combines two of our favorite things – road trips and the great outdoors! So, of course this was a love we were going to pass on to our little adventurer!

RV Camping = Camping in Comfort

We introduced our son to tent camping at an early age and he was instantly hooked! Sleeping under the stars, sitting around the campfire, waking up in the middle of nature – it doesn’t get much better than that. Though if we’re being honest… tent camping with a young child is a lot of work. There’s a lot to pack, a lot to set-up, and less than optimal weather conditions can really make or break your trip!

We actually had to cut one of our first tent camping trips with him short due to weather. A massive heat wave decided to come through Death Valley in early April. By 6 pm, it was still over 100 degrees outside and sleeping in a tent just didn’t sound like fun. Had we been in an RV, we could’ve just cranked on the a/c and slept comfortably. So, with an RV you still get all the fun of camping with a little added protection from the elements – a huge plus for RV travel with kids.

Don’t get me wrong, we absolutely love tent camping, but it sure is nice to have a real bed, a hard roof over your head, and an a/c unit to run during the warmer days. We’ve also been in situations where other visitors at the campground were a little on the boisterous side and were up until the wee hours of the night talking loud and playing music. In those instances, it would have been nice to have a little more sound protection to ensure a better night’s sleep for the entire family. Having a sleep deprived kiddo is not my idea of a fun family vacation!

Enjoy Your Own Personal Space

Don’t want to use the same toilets or showers as everyone else at the campground? Does someone in your family always seem to need a bathroom run in the middle of the night? Here’s yet another reason why RV camping is such a game-changer for families. No more having to get fully dressed, grab a flashlight, and brave the elements just to go empty your bladder. With an RV, you’ve got your own private bathroom, steps away, any time of day or night. It’s one of those small conveniences that makes a big difference, especially when traveling with kids in an RV.

Everything You Need

Our son has some pretty severe food restrictions, so we honestly don’t eat out much when we travel. Being able to have all of our food at our disposal with the option for easy storage, refrigeration, and preparation space is such a huge help. Of course it’s always fun to roast hotdogs and marshmallows over an open campfire, but it’s nice having a back-up heating option in the event that mother nature has other plans. 

RV travel makes managing meals and snacks on your own schedule a breeze. No need to find a restaurant everyone agrees on or settle for gas station food on the go. Eat what you want, when you want! Having your own kitchen on wheels is a serious parenting win. 

Fun Comes in All Sizes

You don’t need a massive rig to experience some of these luxuries. Whether you’re looking for a fully equipped Class C motorhome or a compact campervan, there’s a vehicle that fits your family’s size, comfort level, and budget. Doing a short weekend getaway and want to save on gas? Opt for something small and nimble. Planning a longer cross-country RV road trip with kids? Maybe a larger setup is the way to go. The beauty is that you can choose what works best for your adventure. The variety of RV options available today is greater than ever. Check out Indie Campers’ fleet to explore everything from compact vans to spacious Class A motorhomes.

On-the-Go Adventure

RV travel with kids provides ultimate flexibility. Need to adjust your route because of weather or wildfires, as is occasionally the case where we live in California? So long as you’ve got some flexibility with your schedule and reservations, you can make adjustments to your itinerary. Your home moves with you, which opens up a world of possibilities. We’ll share some sites and apps in a bit that can help you make advanced and last minute travel arrangements. 

Another option to consider is a one-way rental. Some companies, like Indie Campers, occasionally offer great deals on these routes, especially if they need to relocate vehicles. For example, you could start your adventure in Chicago, drive the full length of Route 66, and drop off the RV in a completely different city, like Los Angeles or San Francisco. It saves time and mileage, giving you more freedom to explore new places instead of retracing your route.

Escaping the Crowds

If you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can always give boondocking (a.k.a. dispersed camping) a try. Off-grid camping or camping without hookups (no water, electricity, or dump stations) forces you to rely on your vehicle’s onboard systems, like water storage, batteries, and solar (if equipped). It’s a great way to enjoy quiet, scenic locations, but it requires planning and responsible use of your resources.

Before jumping into dispersed camping, be sure to do a little research to understand what’s allowed in the area and whether any restrictions apply. If you’re renting with a company like Indie Campers, choose a vehicle that’s best suited for your route, especially if you plan to drive on unpaved roads. A 4×4 Jeep will offer far more flexibility than a Class C motorhome.  

It’s All About Connection

Traveling by RV with kids is the stuff memories are made of! Your kids will love cruising down the road in your house on wheels. They’ll enjoy discovering all of the nooks, crannies, and secret compartments RVs have to offer. This slower method of travel will bring your family closer together both literally and figuratively. Sure, the sleeping quarters may be cozy, but there’s something about this more intentional way of traveling that gives you the chance to slow down and really connect – not only with the places you’re visiting, but also with each other.

We’re not big on crowds or busy tourist hotspots. RV travel allows our family the opportunity to find our own quiet corners of the world to explore. It’s a chance for us to disconnect from technology, reconnect as a family, and enjoy the simple joy of being outdoors together.

Ready to Experience RV Travel with Kids?

If you’re ready to give this family-friendly style of travel a try, there are plenty of ways to ease into it without a huge investment. One of the best ways to start is by renting a smaller rig for a weekend getaway at a local campground. Many campervan rental companies, like Indie Campers, have depots near major cities, making it easy to pick up a vehicle close to home. This allows you to test out RV life, see what kind of layout and features work best for your family, and get a feel for driving, parking, and sleeping before committing to a longer trip. It’s a fun, flexible way to dip your toes into this fun method of travel, and you might quickly discover that it’s the perfect fit for your next family adventure.

If you’ve already got some RV travel experience under your belt and know what type of rig you want to rent, here are some great resources to help you find the perfect spots to park your hotel on wheels.

Find Campsites for Your RV Adventure

Now, where to camp?! Whether you’re looking for a quiet forest escape, a beachside site with hookups, or something totally off the grid, there are tons of helpful websites and apps out there to help you find the perfect spot for your RV camping adventure.

These are a few of our favorites: 

Recreation.gov is our go-to for booking campsites on public lands like National Parks, National Forests, and BLM lands. It’s ideal for more scenic nature-focused sites that are often relatively affordable. 

ReserveCalifornia.com is the booking hub for California’s state parks and beaches. These campgrounds can book up quickly, but they’re well-maintained and often in prime locations.

Hipcamp.com is like Airbnb for camping. You’ll find everything from vineyard stays to private land with wide open space for your RV. It’s a great option if you want a more unique or secluded experience away from crowded campgrounds.

HarvestHosts.com offers overnight RV parking at wineries, farms, breweries, and other unique locations. It’s a membership-based program, and while there are usually no hookups, you’re staying somewhere way more fun than a parking lot.

Boondockers Welcome, which is now owned by Harvest Hosts, is also a membership service that connects RVers with private hosts who offer free overnight parking on their property. It’s a great alternative to commercial campgrounds and can lead to fun local connections.

The Dyrt is one of the most popular apps for finding and reviewing campgrounds, both public and private. It’s especially helpful for reading user-submitted reviews, photos, and tips. 

Campflare.com is a campsite availability alert tool. If the site you want is fully booked, Campflare will send you a notification if a cancellation opens up. It’s especially handy for popular National and State Park campgrounds that fill up fast.

Campendium is a highly respected site among RVers for campground reviews, especially for boondocking and public lands. You can filter by cell signal strength, price, and amenities. Their community of reviewers is knowledgeable and active.

Whether you’re looking for full hookups and a playground or something completely off the grid, there’s a patch of land out there ready to welcome your RV and become your family’s temporary home. No doubt you’ll find the perfect base for exploring all the natural beauty this planet has to offer.

Need some road trip inspiration? Check out these itineraries from Indie Campers.