Camping is exciting with nearby thrill parks

If your family is like mine, you love the rides of thrill parks. And for others who like a tamer type of entertainment, there are parks that offer that as well. There’s no better way to enjoy these parks than by taking your RV along for the trip and stay onsite.

Whether it’s roller coasters, wild swings, carousels or a lazy paddleboat excursion, there are parks that offer these and give you a place to park your home on wheels. We love taking these types of trips because even though the parks themselves aren’t the cheapest vacation, a full day of activity for one price isn’t bad in today’s economy. And if you have the option to go back to your campsite for a rest and food, saving you from exhaustions and saves money.

Our favorite spot is Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, and its Camper Village. Although we spend very little time at our site or in our RV, and the campground offers minimal amenities, it’s nice to eat at home once in awhile. And it gives us a chance to do two days in the park, running from roller coaster to roller coaster.

The best part of staying onsite is the early and late access to the parks, while other guests are leaving or haven’t yet arrived, you can enjoy the park! So, here are some suggestions, including our favorite spot, and their offerings. Book one before the summer is over and scream with your kids. It’s a great way to spend your day!

• Camper Village, Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio – Located on Lake Erie peninsula, you can walk right into Cedar Point Amusement Park from your RV. The park offers 209 total sites and 60 cabins. Pets are welcome and there are cable TV and laundry facilities. In addition to the amusement park, there is an outdoor pool and whirlpool spa, shuffleboard court and game room.
• Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort, Santa Claus, Ind. – The 2008-09 National RV Park of the year and is located next to Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari Theme Parks. The resort offers free shuttle to the theme parks. In addition to location to the theme parks, the resort offers WiFi at most sites, a pool, golf car rentals, playgrounds, paddleboats and fishing. The 232 sites include 200 full hookup sites. In addition, there are cabin and RV rentals. For those who enjoy more than theme parks, the resort is just minutes from the Lincoln Boyhood National memorial, Lincoln State Park and the Lincoln Amphitheatre.
• Disney’s Fort Wilderness, Buena Vista, Fla. – Part of the Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, Fla. Resort, Fort Wilderness sits on 740 acres of woodlands and the Walt Disney World Resort, the campground offers 784 sites, as well as cabins. Staying at the resort allows guests easy access to all of the Disney resort with free transportation to theme parks and other parts of the resort. In addition, there are pools, horseback riding, tennis, boat, canoe and kayak rentals, as well as hiking trails. There is also a seasonal Mickey’s Backyard BBQ where characters participate in the hoedown. There is also a restaurant and snack bars, laundry facilities, babysitting, a kennel and high-speed wireless Internet access available.
• Highmeadow Campground, Hershey, PA – Offering 299 sites and 22 cabins, this campground is part of Hershey Resorts with direct access to Hersheypark and Dutch Wonderland, In addition to the theme parks; the campground offers Internet access, cable TV and laundry service. There’s also a swimming pool and an arcade/game room.