Top Tips for a Comfortable and Fun Camping Trip

If you think "camping" means "uncomfortable," we have some surprises for you.

With campgrounds that offer everything from miniature golf to deluxe cabins, Kampgrounds of America (KOA) feature amenities that will have you asking how quickly you can pack the grilling ingredients and hit the road. Mike Gast, vice president of communications for KOA, shares some top tips for making your next camping trip a real vacation.

Make the Journey as Much Fun as the Destination

Kick off your holiday by prepping fun tech distractions for your kids during the drive (here are some of our faves). Once you get to the campground, keep the party going offline: Almost all KOA sites have swimming pools and playgrounds, and some offer next-level entertainment like zip lines, water slides and Jumping Pillows (trampoline-like bouncing surfaces that look like giant speed bumps).

Stock Up On The Latest Gear

Just because you're exploring the backcountry doesn't mean you have to go off the grid. Innovative developments in gear have brought camping into the 21st century. "I'm a fan of pop-up tents that fold into flat circles and spring into complete tents," says Gast. Another of his favorite toys: a generator that lets you power any USB-chargeable device�"no outlet required.

Don't Rough It

Rent a cabin! KOA's cozy log cabins feature beds and bunks, as well as electricity (and some even come with air-conditioning!), starting around $60 per night. Add in the fire pit or BBQ just outside your cabin door, and hey, you can have your s'more and eat it, too.

Chow Down

What's a vacation without delicious food? Camping doesn't have to mean hot dogs and beans. From grilled gourmet pizza to caramel corn, KOA's library of recipes will make you excited for the camp dinner bell.

Take the RV

Another great way to see America while enjoying the comforts of home is to travel by RV�"and you can enjoy KOA's full-service RV sites for roughly the same price as a cabin. Many of these sites offer special amenities, like gas barbecues and hard-surface patios with furniture�"giving your traveling house an instant backyard. Of course, RVs can be costly to fill up, so here are a couple of resources: Maintenance and driving tips from KOA RV expert Mark Polk can help you conserve fuel, and GEICO's Gas Finder can assist with finding the cheapest real-time rates.

Go on Two Wheels

Feeling the wind as you travel by motorcycle is as close to flying as you can get, without leaving the ground, of course. The minimal storage space can be a downside, though, which makes the convenience of KOA's cabins that much more appealing. And since many KOA sites encourage motorcyclists to keep bikes near their cabins, getting back on the road is a breeze. Check out KOA's tips on how to pack and prep for a motorcycle camping experience.

Read more: Glamping: How To Camp In Total Comfort

Keep all your trip resources close at hand by downloading GEICO's convenient mobile app. With features that provide access to real-time Emergency Road Service, Digital ID Cards for proof-of-insurance and Gas Buddy for the best gas prices, you'll have a worry-free trip.

Originally posted on GEICO.

Opinions expressed by the author are not necessarily those of WITI.