While we love camping and the great outdoors, we have a teenage kid (14) that prefers the city. Trying to find some stellar campgrounds in the SE that have plenty to do on premises for teens. We do have a Class A. Any recommendations? We live in Florida but are looking at heading towards say Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina and anywhere south of there. We are open, that’s just our max range for this trip. Would appreciate any recommendations. Thank you!

There are caverns and precious mineral mines in Arkansas. Teens love the caverns. And, why not add a friend for the teen to converse with? Some kid that's never been camping.....so your kid can show off his skills.

One rather obvious possibility is someplace in the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area. While you may not have plenty to do on premises at some of the campgrounds, there is moer than enough to do close by. You're also quite close to the Great Smokey Mountains National Park.

If it weren't for the virus, Laura Walker State park in Georgia would be ideal. On the Okefenokee Swamp, it has a nice campground with small power boats to rent to take out into the swamp to see alligators. There are "trails" to take the boats deep into the swamp with raised platforms to stop and enjoy the swamp and a picnic lunch. The place is awesome and way off the beaten path. However, the boat rentals have been suspended because of the virus. Watch the web site as they may reinstate them in time for your trip.

What does your 14 yo like to do? Does he/she like hiking, swimming, putt putt, frisbee golf, or will strong internet/WiFi be more of what they want. Are you looking for somewhere you can send him off and you go your own way? Another way to look at this is where do you want to go that you and the kid can do something together, places you want the kid to experience.Perhaps you could look at places near Charleston with a trip to Patriots Point, Fort Sumter or Fort Moultrie, several plantations that are beautiful. Of course with this virus thing going on, not sure what is open or what restrictions they have.

Turn him loose on the internet to find someplace. Wonder if Dollywood is functioning.

Best campgrounds in the SE *for teens*- not S of north FL

LoungeLady
Explorer
Aug 17, 2020
wowens79 wrote:

I’m gonna retract the suggestion for Stone Mountain. They had conflicting protest there this weekend, so I would stay away from there for a while.

Yes, I saw this! It is an excellent suggestion otherwise (for posterity)! Thank you for your post.
wowens79
Explorer III
Aug 16, 2020
wowens79 wrote:
I’ve got a 17yo and 19yo, but both are outdoorsy. But here are some ideas based on things some of their friends like.

Stone Mountain in Atlanta, might work, it has some citified things, a laser show etc, and is pretty close to downtown ATL, and the World of Coke, Georgia Aquarium, College Football Hall of Fame, museums. Lots of restaurants, and shopping. My caution on this would be that Stone Mountain is a confederate monument, and there was lots of protests there. Not sure if that is still going on.

Chattanooga is a great town, lots of great little restaurants, and the river front area is really cool.

You can make your own call on virus risks, but if it is a concern to you these would be a pretty high density of people.

Good luck with finding a fun trip for your teen, my son is very athletic, and at 14 had a hard time slowing down and would get bored chilling while camping. 14 is a tough age to find things to do, kinda between kid stuff and adult stuff.

I’m gonna retract the suggestion for Stone Mountain. They had conflicting protest there this weekend, so I would stay away from there for a while.
ferndaleflyer
Explorer III
Aug 14, 2020
Just spent 2 weeks, 1 in Pigeon Forge and one in Hendersonville, NC. Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Dollywood are wide open. If you can’t find it there it don’t exist.
wowens79
Explorer III
Aug 14, 2020
I’ve got a 17yo and 19yo, but both are outdoorsy. But here are some ideas based on things some of their friends like.

Stone Mountain in Atlanta, might work, it has some citified things, a laser show etc, and is pretty close to downtown ATL, and the World of Coke, Georgia Aquarium, College Football Hall of Fame, museums. Lots of restaurants, and shopping. My caution on this would be that Stone Mountain is a confederate monument, and there was lots of protests there. Not sure if that is still going on.

Chattanooga is a great town, lots of great little restaurants, and the river front area is really cool.

You can make your own call on virus risks, but if it is a concern to you these would be a pretty high density of people.

Good luck with finding a fun trip for your teen, my son is very athletic, and at 14 had a hard time slowing down and would get bored chilling while camping. 14 is a tough age to find things to do, kinda between kid stuff and adult stuff.
TiWi
Explorer
Aug 14, 2020
Gregoria B Delacruz wrote:
Petit Jean State Park
Henry Horton State Park

These two are good! We went there last summer and it was really great.
But I think you should definitely wait with it, till all the virus thing is over.
Gregoria_B_Dela
Explorer
May 13, 2020
I don't think it's a good time to travel.

You should be well prepared if you want to safe in this trip.

I will try to find a few links about you should know about travel and post them.

https://www.nafsa.org/regulatory-information/covid-19-restrictions-us-visas-and-entry

Just make sure Park opening time before you go there.
Visit follow site for camping in Arkansas
ArkansasStateParks:
Woolly Hollow State Park :http://www.arkansasstateparks.com/http://www.arkansasstateparks.com/
Petit Jean State Park :https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/parks/petit-jean-state-park
Mississippi River State Park : https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/parks/mississippi-river-state-park

Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park: https://tnstateparks.com/parks/meeman-shelby
Chickasaw State Park :https://tnstateparks.com/parks/chickasaw
Henry Horton State Park https://tnstateparks.com/parks/henry-horton

camping for kids in North Carolina
Stone Mountain State Park:http://www.ncparks.gov/
Hunting Island State :southcarolinaparks.com/huntingisland/introduction.aspx

Maby rent a RV is a not bad idea for you.

Unavoidable access to people by public transport.

https://www.storyrv.com/ is a site about RV trips.

Please be sure to wear a mask..

Good Luck
Lwiddis
Explorer II
May 05, 2020
Dick B’s idea is a good one. Let the teen research and choose.
Bird_Freak
Explorer II
May 05, 2020
Stone Mountain Ga if the virus stuff is over.
wanderingaimles
Explorer
May 05, 2020
Kitty Hawk NC and along with the beach, if he has a bit of a wild side, learning to hang glide at Kitty Hawk kites, or maybe learn to kiteboard, (and a possible B'day or xmas gift) Or maybe a day offshore or surf fishing.
Another idea, just north
Williamsburg Va.
Busch Gardens, water country USA, Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Several campgrounds in the immediate area.
cavie
Explorer
May 05, 2020
Flordia panhandle.