Taking your family to one of the many cabin camping sites across the country is a wonderful way to make the most of your family vacations, to establish a great tradition, and to create memories that you all will cherish for the rest of your life. Cabin camping sites offer both the close contact with nature, peace and solitude, and remoteness that you get with camping, but comfort and amenities of sleeping indoors, if you are the type of person who doesn’t like to go without. If you are looking at cabin camping sites for future family camping vacations, we put together a list of things to consider so that you are well prepared for your adventure.
- Understand the rules for your reservation. Many cabin camping sites book quickly, especially during the peak season. Consider how far in advance you should make a reservation in order get the cabin you want (the administration office can usually give you an estimate on this). You’ll also want to ask about the cabin’s cancellation policy, especially if you have to make your reservation several months in advance.
- Consider the weather when planning out your cabin camping vacation. We assume that you are planning a cabin camping trip to spend as much time outdoors as you can. Unless you are going to spend all of your time inside, you want to consider the weather when planning your vacation so you can pack accordingly. You don’t want your awesome cabin adventure to be ruined because you were not prepared for inclement weather. Although you don’t want to over-pack for a cabin trip, packing layers so that you can enjoy both warm and cool weather (and a rain poncho in case of precipitation) is a good idea. Unfortunately, a weather forecast is no guarantee of the weather you’ll see on your cabin camping trip; being prepared for the unexpected is best.
- Find out the necessities included in your cabin reservation. Cabin camping rentals have such a broad range of amenities; some cabins offer all of the amenities that a hotel has, including daily cleanings, while some do not even include toilet paper. Contact that the facilities administration for a list of what’s included in your cabin. As a rule of thumb, it’s safe to assume that if an item is not on that list, it is probably not going to be there. If you don’t see toilet paper on your list, go ahead and add it to your packing list.
- Considering your eating arrangements. One huge buzzkill on your family camping vacation would be if you did not prepare adequately for making food and in your family goes hungry. While getting a comprehensive idea of what sort of kitchen amenities are available, consider what you will need to prepare food. Does the cabin have any refrigeration to keep perishables good throughout your trip? Do you have access to a stove, oven, or at least a microwave? Some cabin kitchens provide everything that you have in your own house, while some cabins leave you preparing your food on a bonfire.
- Make your meal plan. It’s nice to have at least a few easy meal options, such as sandwiches and a ready-made snacks, so that you aren’t cooking the entire trip. Beyond that, plan to bring the ingredients for the other meals that you’re going to be eating.
- Consider the facilities the cabin has. Another thing to consider what facilities they offer. Do they have heat or air? This is a big factor that will dictate how you pack. Do they have running water? If you are unable to take a shower throughout your trip but you were unprepared for it, you may end up miserable.
- Plan out activities throughout your visit. Your campsite may have access to hiking trails, boat rentals, and so on. You can contact the park facilitators for outing options in the area. Understanding in advance the type of outings you can go on will give you the chance to pack accordingly.
Are you a big cabin camping buff? Do you have any other tips for planning a cabin vacation? Please share them with us in the comment section below!
