If you’re outfitting your whole family for the first time, it’s cost prohibitive. That’s why I was so pleased with how well the Kelty Discovery Element 6 handled my testing protocol. With just two crisscrossing poles, it was a cinch to put up. Given that the ozark trail chair poles connect into sleeves at opposing corners (rather than fiddly grommets), it was arguably one of the easiest family tents to set up that I’ve tested. If you’re a first-time camper worried about the hassle of tent setup, this one is a great choice.
In the colder seasons insulating layers are a must, and a good rain shell for you and rain fly for your tent are necessary year-round. Make sure to let a friend or family member know what you’re doing and where you’re going. Tell someone how many days you’ll be gone and approximately where you think you’ll stay each night. Physically check in by filling out a backpacking card at dedicated trailheads.
Other tents included on this list have been taken out with my own family on various camping trips in heat, wind, and rain across our usual stomping grounds of the Pacific Northwest. There are shorter trails in Meramec State Park (six, to be exact, with Walking Fern and Deer Hollow leading to Fisher Cave, where tours are available). But after driving an hour, you’re in the mood for a nice long walk, so you opt for the park’s longest trek, moving counterclockwise from the trailhead. On the way back, you’ll make a gradual ascent before coming back down through Campbell Hollow, where small streams and rock formations provide a satisfying end to a half-day hike. The preserve’s 306 acres were bought in 2010 in a precedent-setting joint venture by two nonprofits.
The putting surface is sloped with a high central mound feeding the ball away from the center of the green. Enjoy the views as you take the cart bridge across the lake. Camping trips in the family tent are memories that will last a lifetime, for you and your kids. The picks on this list are from reputable brands—Kelty, NEMO, Big Agnes, Coleman, Eureka—that are sure to last your family for many years to come. A large footprint unfortunately also means more space taken up in transit.
In addition to hiking, the park is great for activities such as eagle watching, fishing, camping, and more. Wetlands give way to ridgelines at the start of the Blair Creek section. The 26-mile route follows Blair Creek south as it carves down a valley through oak-hickory-pine forest before merging with the emerald waters of the Current River. Here the 30-mile Current River section picks up, following the river for two miles before veering south toward Stegall Mountain.