BlogMay 2021

4 Summer Vacation Spots for Family Fishing and Camping

4 Summer Vacation Spots for Family Fishing and Camping

By Jeff Bogle

May 12, 2021

Wondering where to go camping for family summer vacations? Here are 4 summer vacation spots including 3 idyllic small towns for fishing and camping!

As we continue to wait for the world to reopen, let’s keep discovering the natural beauty that surrounds us here at home. From family fishing in the wild west to where to go camping in the South to the midwest’s prettiest lake for pontoon boat-ing, here are four perfect family summer vacation spots!

Fredericksburg, TX

Settled by German immigrants 150 years ago and now home to the best peaches in the country, this small Texas town located less than 90 minutes from both Austin and San Antonio is swimming in breathtaking bluebonnets, stellar wineries, pioneer and WWII history, presidential lore, and some fine camping at Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park Campground. Consult a family camping checklist and don’t forget your fishing poles to pull a variety of bass out of Live Oak Creek in Fredericksburg.

Cheyenne, WY

This wild west capital city sits at the intersection of its frontier past and the burgeoning modernity of refined restaurants and theaters. Cheyenne offers itself up as a wild card in the stacked deck of family summer vacations! Excellent family camping awaits at Curt Gowdy State Park (the legendary sportscaster was from this area) as do the rainbow trout and kokanee salmon swimming in reservoirs within the park, making it ideal for a day of family fishing too! As you search for where to go camping in the West, look no further than Wyoming’s biggest little city!

Elkhart Lake, WI

This charming Midwest town of only 1,100 people is a dream location for old fashion family summer vacations. It’s home to a famous road race course for car lovers, one of the most underrated restaurants in the country (Paddock Club), and a couple of stellar hotels, but the star attraction is the lake that gives it its name. Elkhart Lake is 292 idyllic watery acres ready to host your family pontoon boating and kayaking expeditions, as well as family fishing trips in which you will pull out small- and largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye, panfish and more.

National Parks

Still America’s best idea, many national parks and sites are also home to some of the best family fishing and family camping in the country. As far as summer vacations spots go, it is hard to beat places like New River Gorge, Acadia, Voyageurs, and Yellowstone.

Not ready yet for full family summer vacations? Consider a fun weekend family fishing trip instead!

Jeff Bogle
Jeff Bogle
Jeff is a dad of teen daughters, avid traveler, photographer, and freelance writer. He’s penned stories on family travel, outdoor recreation, the environment, parenting, and more for Fodor’s, Reader’s Digest, Parents Magazine, Good Housekeeping, PBS, and Esquire, among other publications. Find him on his blog, OWTK.com and on Instagram @OWTK. Jeff is also the publisher of the quarterly literary zine, Stanchion