My daydreams of vacationing generally include fancy resorts with spas and fine dining. When trying to plan a budget-friendly weekend away for the family, however, those are generally out of the question. Heck, even a cheap $70 a night hotel can push the budget sometimes.

A basic campsite in a state or national park, on the other hand, is more often closer to $30 a night. Many of these campgrounds also include surprising amenities like in-ground pools, saunas, mini-golf and free wi-fi (a necessity for a social media addicted family like mine!). This is in addition to the standard natural attractions you would expect to enjoy at a national park:  hiking paths, lakes, waterfalls and opportunities for boating and fishing.

With careful planning, you could potentially swing a beach or lakeside weekend away for your whole family for around $200!

That’s why my family is taking our first camping trip this summer and I’m encouraging you to do the same. I’ve even done the preliminary research for you and created a list of my top campground picks for budget-friendly weekend trips.

River’s End Campground & R.V. Park  (Tybee Island, Georgia)

River’s End Campground is the perfect budget friendly camping option if you’d like to spend a weekend enjoying the beach. Tybee Island is the perfect choice for a weekend getaway because it’s only a four to five hour drive from Roswell and camping at River’s End Campground is budget friendly. Located only one and a half miles from the beach, tent spaces are only $29 per night for a family of 3, with an additional surcharge of $3 per extra child between the ages of eight to 17. Amenities on the campgrounds include: swimming pool, small game room, laundry, Wi-Fi and a book exchange. 

The Campground at James Island County Park (Charleston, South Carolina)

For only $25 per night, you and your family can pitch your tent at the Campground at James Island County Park and enjoy both the beauty of nature and convenient access to historic downtown Charleston. The campground offers roundtrip shuttle service to the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau (located in the historic heart of Charleston).  It also offers 16 acres of fresh lakes for fishing, a seasonal splash zone waterpark, a playground, free Wi-Fi, an activity center, a laundry facility and miles of paved trails perfect for walking or biking. 

Henderson Beach State Park (Destin, Florida)

Located off the Gulf of Mexico, Henderson Beach State Park offers year round camping for only $30 a night.  The park is known for its family friendly beaches and it boasts of a three mile paved trail that meanders through sand dunes and along the Gulf.  Because it’s close to central Destin, this campground offers fewer amenities, but it’s also located right on a gorgeous white sand beach where people spot dolphins regularly—a priceless amenity in my opinion. 

Anastasia State Park (St. Augustine, Florida)

Saint Augustine is the oldest continually occupied European settlement in the U.S. In addition to beaches, the city offers a variety of historic sites and modern day attractions, making it an excellent long weekend choice for families. With daily rates of only $28, the campgrounds at Anastasia State Park give you easy access to all the city offers as well as easy access to a beach known for attracting surfers and kayakers.

As with most vacation accommodations, reservations are strongly suggested at each of these campgrounds. You will be required to pay a moderate deposit to reserve your camping space and that deposit is generally nonrefundable. Be sure to check cancellation policies before you make your reservation; these vary by campground. Visit the individual campground websites for more information.