THE COLLECTIVE CAMPOUT

Love s'mores and the great outdoors? The perfect setting for your family -- and an economical option too -- may be a centrally located scenic campground, FamilyFun readers suggest. "We usually get two or three adjoining campsites," says Mindy Green of Novato, California, who has taken many camping trips with her husband's siblings and their families, plus both sets of grandparents. "Our days are spent hiking, canoeing, nature walking, and exploring. Our nights are spent telling stories, reading books, and sitting around the fire chatting. We think this is the best extended-family vacation because it is low-key and relaxing."

If not everyone in your group wants to pitch a tent, look for a campground with cabins or lodges nearby. That way, some people can sleep in the great indoors and still enjoy hikes and cookouts with the gang.

Start your planning at ReserveAmerica, the largest online provider of campsite reservations in North America, servicing more than 100,000 campgrounds in 48 states.