When you’re looking for a campsite, you might look for amenities such as potable water, showers, and firewood onsite. While these are important features to have, there are other campsite and campground amenities that can add something extra to your overall camping experience. Here are recreational extras and opportunities, onsite activities, and places to cool off during the hot summer months. These are features you definitely won’t find everywhere, but you will be happy to encounter.
5 Fun Campsite Amenities to Seek Out
1. Refreshing Swimming Holes and Waterfalls
During the warmer months, daytime activities can get hot and uncomfortable regardless of where you are camping. When your campground has nearby water features, this is no big deal. You can even spend a majority of your free time enjoying them. These can include many geographical features, including streams, rivers, waterfalls, lakes, reservoirs, and beaches.
At Arkansas’ Gunner Pool campground in Ozark-St. Francis National Forest and you’ll love the natural swimming hole and nearby waterfalls. The campground is located right next to North Sylamore Creek, where you will find plenty of cool water to soak in.
2. Movie Nights
It is rare, but some campgrounds occasionally host community events like movie nights. Campground websites list campsite amenities like this, so if you want it, you have to look. Another option? Host your own movie night with a projector and a white sheet hung up between trees. Just make sure that your fellow campers are okay with this, and finish up before quiet hours begin.
At Devils Tower KOA in Devils Tower, WY, you can enjoy nightly screenings of “Close Encounters of the Third Kind”. Why this Steven Spielberg flick? It was filmed at the campground in 1977. The movie is shown on a large outdoor screen so bring along your favorite camp chairs, blankets and some snacks to take in this sci-fi fave.
3. Spaces to Workout
Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean you don’t want to stay fit. If you’re hoping to keep up a workout regimen while on the road, just keep an eye out for a campground with a gym. If there is no gym, looking for campground amenities that can help out like nearby trails to run or bike, or enough space to do some yoga, are other options.
If you’re heading through California consider stopping at Campland on the Bay near San Diego. Here, you’ll find a gym equipped with stationary bikes, treadmills and other fitness machines with TV access to keep you entertained while you workout.
4. Fishing
If you enjoy casting and trying your luck with a rod and reel you can look for campsites that feature onsite fishing. Unlike some of the other unique campsite amenities we have mentioned, many campgrounds do have nearby fishing. If you are near water, chances are there is somewhere nearby to catch your dinner. Just remember to bring along your fishing license for the state you are camping in, and check the local rules and regulations beforehand.
The Dyrt camper Danielle V. noted that Lake Rudolph campground in Santa Claus Indiana has a fishing pond that “has a ton of fish in it. We caught crappie, bluegill and a few smaller bass – but there are definitely some larger bass in there.” This is a great place to get little ones in on the action as they’ll likely catch a few fish of their own.
5. A Zip Line
Whether you’re traveling with kids or crave some solo adventure, you might enjoy staying at a campground that has a zip line. This provides a one-of-a-kind day activity to enjoy during your stay.
Granville Campground in Granville, OH, has a 300-foot zip line, that offers a good time and views of the entire campground. During the ride, be sure to catch a glimpse of the nearby Welsh Hills.
The Dyrt is the fastest-growing camping app on web and mobile, with new features being rolled out regularly. If you love the outdoors and want to discover the best campsite amenities, then join the fastest growing camping community!
