Father’s Day Camping Getaways Beat Another Necktie

If Dad already owns three grills, a tackle box he hasn’t closed properly in years, and at least one tie he never wears, it may be time to skip the gift wrap and give him something better: a weekend outside. Father’s Day 2026 falls on Sunday, June 21, which means you’ve got just enough runway to plan a Father’s Day camping getaway he’ll actually talk about all summer.

And you wouldn’t be alone. According to the 2026 KOA North American Camping & Outdoor Hospitality Report, more than 52 million households camped last year, and 31% of campers plan to spend more nights outside in 2026. The why is just as telling: half of campers say they intentionally plan trips to recharge and improve mental wellbeing. Translation — a weekend by a river, lake, or campfire is exactly the kind of “gift” that lands.

Here’s how to plan a Father’s Day camping trip that fits your dad (not a generic checklist), plus five trip ideas across the OAR family of properties in the Southeast.

How to Plan a Father’s Day Getaway Dad Will Actually Love

Start With Dad’s Idea of Fun

The best Father’s Day camping getaways start with one question: what does dad consider a perfect afternoon? Some dads want a fishing rod and total silence. Others want a tee time, a cold drink, and someone to lose to in cornhole. The trip you plan should match the dad you have — not the generic “outdoorsy guy” in stock photos.

A few helpful prompts:

• Does he like to fish, paddle, golf, hike, or just sit by water?
• Does he prefer cooking outside or having someone else cook?
• Is “roughing it” part of the appeal, or is comfort the whole point?
• Who’s coming — the kids, the dog, the grandkids, or just one quiet friend?

Pick the Right Setup: RV, Cabin, Tent, or Glamping

Father’s Day weekend is usually a fast sell-out on RV sites, lakeside cabins, and glamping tents across the Southeast. KOA’s data shows that nearly 1 in 3 campers now choose cabins or glamping units, especially first-timers and multigenerational groups. If you’ve never camped with dad before, glamping or a cottage can be the easy on-ramp — you get the outdoors without making him sleep on the ground.

For experienced RV families, the Go RVing travel guides are a solid place to check before you hit the road. Whatever you book, plan to arrive in daylight on Friday so setup isn’t a stressor.

Build In Some Downtime

One of the most common mistakes for Father’s Day trips is over-scheduling. If you booked a fishing guide for Saturday and a hike for Sunday morning, leave Saturday evening completely open. Dads remember the campfire conversations more than the activities. Build the gaps in on purpose.

5 Father’s Day Trip Ideas Across OAR Properties

OAR runs five campgrounds, RV resorts, and marinas across the Southeast — each with a very different personality. Pick the one that matches your dad and your driving radius.

For the Golfer Dad: Wanee Lake Golf & RV Resort (Ashburn, GA)

If dad’s idea of a perfect Father’s Day is 9 holes followed by a pool float and a billiards rematch, point the RV toward South Georgia. Wanee Lake has a 9-hole course open to the public, a clubhouse with a bar and billiards, a pool, tennis courts, and the Fire Ant Café open weekends for burgers and chicken tenders. The Saturday night billiards tournament at 6pm is an easy plan-it-yourself activity. Tent? No. RV site or the Georgia Golf Cottage? Yes.

For the Angler Dad: Crescent Fish Camp, RV Resort & Marina (Crescent City, FL)

If your dad has a tackle bag in every closet and dreams about largemouth bass, Crescent City delivers. Crescent Lake is one of Florida’s best-kept bass fishing secrets, with crappie, catfish, and bluegill also biting strong in June. Crescent Fish Camp has a full-service marina, boat ramp, kayak rentals, a pool, and a Friday beer & wine happy hour from 4–6pm. Book a local fishing guide for Saturday morning, grill what he catches Saturday night, and call it a perfect Father’s Day camping getaway. Florida fishing licenses are required for anglers 16+.

For the Boating Dad: Cotton Patch Landing (Chocowinity, NC)

Tucked along Blount’s Creek near the Pamlico River on NC’s Inner Banks, Cotton Patch Landing is the move for dads who’d rather be on the water than next to it. The on-site marina has wet slips, a boat ramp, bait & tackle, and outdoor boat storage if you’re towing in. The Creekside Grill food bus is back open weekends through Labor Day. You can target redfish, speckled trout, and flounder in the lower Pamlico — just remember North Carolina requires a Coastal Recreational Fishing License if you’re 16 or older.

For the Paddler & Hiker Dad: Cedar Creek RV & Outdoor Center (Cave Spring, GA)

If dad prefers his Father’s Day with a paddle in his hand, Cedar Creek sits right on Big Cedar Creek in Cave Spring, GA, with kayak and tube rentals available on-site. It’s a short drive to Lake Weiss, Rome, and access points for the Silver Comet Trail — one of the longest paved rails-to-trails routes in the country. Pack a couple of bikes, plan a morning paddle, and end the day at the clubhouse. Cedar Creek also offers tent sites and the Bird’s Nest Lodge, so it works whether dad wants to rough it or not.

For the River-Rat Dad: Wilderness Cove Campground (Saluda, NC)

Just inside Western North Carolina near Asheville, Wilderness Cove sits right on the Green River with tubing, kayaking, fly fishing, and hiking out the front door. The 2026 tubing season opens on May 22 and runs weekly Thursdays through Sundays. There’s a camp store with fly fishing gear, and stays that range from tent sites and water/electric RV sites all the way up to the Green River Guest House. If dad’s idea of Father’s Day is a cold river and warm sun, this is the move.

Father’s Day Camping Tips: Make It Easy on Yourself

A few quick wins so you’re not scrambling on Friday afternoon:

• Pack for the weather you’ll actually get. Check the National Weather Service forecast the morning you leave, not the week before. Summer afternoon thunderstorms are common across the Southeast.
• Bring the grilling stuff. Steaks, ribeyes, or whatever dad’s protein of choice is. Add a small cast iron pan, foil, tongs, and a meat thermometer. Skip the rest.
• Plan one “easy” meal. Saturday breakfast or Sunday lunch should be heat-and-eat. You don’t need to cook every meal from scratch to feel like you camped.
• Practice Leave No Trace. Pack out trash, keep fires contained to designated rings, and don’t bring outside firewood (it spreads invasive pests). The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics publishes the seven principles every Southeast camper should know.
• Bring the dog. All OAR properties are pet-friendly with leash rules. Few things make a dad happier than his dog in the camp chair next to him.

When to Book Your Father’s Day Camping Getaway

Don’t wait. Father’s Day weekend (June 19–21, 2026) overlaps with the start of peak summer camping season, and the most-requested sites — riverfront RV pads, lakeside cabins, glamping tents — typically book out 4–6 weeks ahead. If you’re reading this in May, book this week.

One bonus: Saturday, June 14, 2026 is Flag Day, which is one of the National Park Service fee-free entrance days. If you’re routing through a national park on the way to your campground, you’ll save the entrance fee — handy if you’re stringing together a longer trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Father’s Day 2026?

Father’s Day in the United States is celebrated on the third Sunday in June, which makes Father’s Day 2026 fall on Sunday, June 21. Most campers plan a long weekend running Friday, June 19 through Sunday, June 21.

What’s the best Father’s Day gift for an outdoorsy dad?

For dads who already have the gear, the most meaningful gift is usually an experience rather than another product — a fishing trip, a campground reservation, a river float, or a round of golf paired with a stay somewhere quiet. The KOA 2026 report found that 49% of campers now intentionally plan trips to support mental wellbeing, and Father’s Day weekend is a perfect, low-effort way to make that happen.

Are campgrounds busy on Father’s Day weekend?

Yes. Father’s Day weekend is one of the first big-volume weekends of summer at most Southeast campgrounds, alongside Memorial Day weekend and the Fourth of July. Premium sites and waterfront cabins typically sell out 4–6 weeks in advance. Booking 3 to 6 weeks ahead is a safe rule of thumb; for holiday weekends, sooner is always better.

Can I bring my dog on a Father’s Day camping trip?

At every OAR property, yes. All five locations are pet-friendly with a leash rule outside of designated dog runs. For stays of 28 nights or longer, current vaccination records are required at check-in — a one-time email from your vet usually handles it.

Visit the Outdoor Adventure Retreats booking portal to choose your retreat and lock in your Father’s Day escape today!