Great Stays / School’s out for summer！Recommended family-friendly camping sites across Taiwan to like!

[Written by Lü Yizhi; Photography by Xu Jiahua, Jiang Ruiting, Iron Man; Images provided by Zoumalian Farm, Queenstown Forest, Huazhong Camping Site, Hongchai Shuixiang]

As July arrives and the post-summer solstice weather turns clear, the mountains hum with cicadas, forest streams babble softly, and coastal beaches offer fine sands — the perfect season to take the kids out. This issue carefully selects well-equipped camping sites across Taiwan where, besides setting up tents, you can also play soccer, enjoy the sand, pick fruits, and do DIY crafts. There’s a full range of parent-child activities, and the little ones will surely cheer, “Camping is so much fun!”

Miaoli Sanyi - Ban Yue Wan Camping Area

Nestled within the forests of Sanyi, Ban Yue Wan is picturesque and idyllic. Admire flowers in spring, catch fireflies in summer, and enjoy red maples and sea of clouds in autumn and winter. The facilities are refined and modern. Even during its trial operation, it gained a strong word-of-mouth reputation among campers, making it a small private site with a high revisit rate.

Officially opened this year, the sloped site is divided into upper, middle, and lower platforms. Phoenix tents (large cooking tents), wooden tables and chairs, wooden platform campsites, water sources, and bathroom facilities are available on both the upper and lower platforms. Twenty campsites each have nearby power outlets, with dry and wet-separated bathrooms and stable hot water supply. Benches are placed outside the bathrooms for waiting, and nighttime lighting is bright. For those with elders or infants who may find staying in tents inconvenient, small wooden cabins next to the campsite are also available for stay — a very thoughtful setup that even novice campers won’t find overwhelming.

To maintain the site’s greenery, the owner insists on opening only on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays. Reservations are advised to avoid disappointment.

Taichung Heping - Wuling Farm Camping Area

Wuling Farm has always held an important place in the hearts of campers. Imagine camping at high altitude of 1,800 meters, where the campsite provides clean water, electricity, and bathrooms. The service center offers daily necessities, tent rentals (including pre-set-up aerial tents), and attached cabins. Such comprehensive facilities are likely unmatched elsewhere in Taiwan. However, due to its high-altitude location, whether approaching from the north via Yilan or from the central region via Lishan, the drive takes over four hours, making it suitable for families with children of elementary school age and above.

The summer average temperature here is 22°C, cool and pleasant, making it a famous summer retreat. On clear days, the campsite offers clear views of peaks such as Wu Ming Peak, Central Peak, and Nanhu Mountain, presenting a majestic mountain scenery. At night, light pollution is minimal, with countless stars shining brightly — incredibly beautiful. In addition to enjoying the fun of camping and outdoor cooking, the Wuling Farm is also home to the “Sakura Masu Salmon Ecological Restoration Center,” a national treasure fish. Bringing your children here for a visit helps them learn about Taiwan’s unique ecological environment firsthand — far better than reading textbooks ten times over.
From July to October, it’s also the fruit season at Wuling Farm, with limited-time fruit-picking vouchers available for peaches and honey apples. Let the kids personally harvest fruits and enjoy their freshness on the spot — memories they won’t forget.

Tainan Dajia - Zouma La Farm Camping Area

Rated as an international three-star and awarded “Special Excellent” by the Tourism Bureau, this farm camping area combines camping and outdoor cooking with farm tours, offering endless fun. With numerous activities available, once you enter the farm you won’t need to go anywhere else — perfect for families with toddlers or seniors looking for a fixed-location trip. After setting up camp, you can take a park shuttle to tour the farm, enjoy pedal boats, feed small animals, or ride a cow cart. For those wanting more excitement, there’s also grass sledding, archery, and the newly added giant inflatable water slide set up since July 4th — a 300-meter slide laid on the road, giving visitors the thrill of watersliding on land. No reservation is needed for non-group campers. The park has two sheltered plaza areas where you can move your tent in case of rain, making it a great camping spot all year round.

Nantou Lugu - Bosi Yuan Camping Area

Located by Qilin Lake and surrounded by mountains, the campsite faces the shimmering water and scenic hills, creating a refreshing atmosphere. The layout is thoughtfully arranged — the concrete camping area is close to the water source, allowing cars to park right next to tents for easy access. The service center supplies daily necessities, and the bathroom facilities are highly praised by campers for being clean and providing stable hot water.

The location is another advantage of Bosi Yuan. For a leisurely pace, you can stay put and enjoy activities around the campsite such as walking along the lakeside trail, cycling, or fishing by the lake. If you prefer a more action-packed itinerary, you can explore the forested trails of Shanlinxi and Xitou Forest Recreation Area. Turn off your tablets and phones in the evening, chat under the starry sky, and enjoy precious family bonding time.

New Taipei Sanxia - Queenstown Forest

Nestled in the rich ecological forests of Sanxia, its wooden facilities and signs are simply adorable, with a design full of European charm. The campsite has ample power supply, dry and wet-separated bathrooms, and even offers a grocery service for up to 60 portions of Sanxia black-haired pork, which is freshly barbecued by staff — super considerate for campers. The Crown European-style swimming pool and wild stream water play are must-dos for summer. Take your kids on forest trails, feed cute animals, or sign up for craft workshops — plenty of activities to choose from.

Taipei Wanhua - Huazhong Camping Site

A waterside camping site located right next to Taipei’s metropolitan area, its major advantage is saving travel time and offering easy access to supplies. Just cross a levee to find shops — no worries about lack of preparation. Barbecue, fly kites, and bike riding by the levee are great family activities. Energetic boys can head to the nearby beach volleyball court and futsal field to let loose. Additionally, there are luxury RV camping vehicles for accommodation — a dream come true for RV enthusiasts!

Pingtung Hengchun - Hongchai Shuixiang

Boasting breathtaking sea views and thanks to its terrain, Hongchai Shuixiang is rarely affected by the strong winds of Kenting, eliminating concerns about tents being blown away — a big plus. The cold spring pool is a hit with kids in the summer, with many visitors soaking in it for the entire day or night. The evening sunset is another stunning highlight. The beach is shallow, allowing you to see colorful tropical fish in the water. At night, it’s peaceful — grab a star chart, stargaze with your kids, and explore the mysteries of the universe together.

3 Key Points for Choosing Family-Friendly Campsites

1. Safety
When traveling with kids or toddlers, the last thing you want is an accident spoiling the fun — or worse, causing lifelong regret. Therefore, safety should be the top priority when choosing a campsite. It’s recommended to research potential dangers nearby in advance, such as cliffs or fast currents, that could put children at risk.

2. Campsite Layout and Tent Areas
Before you go, it’s wise to browse online and check camper reviews to understand the campsite location and tent area conditions. For example: Is there on-site management? Are water and electricity available near the tent spaces? Are the bathrooms clean and do they provide hot water? A well-planned site makes camping with children much smoother for parents!

3. Entertainment Value
Without TV or tablets, the grass and trees become kids’ playgrounds. Besides checking if there’s enough open space for running around, look for campsites that offer nature tours or kids’ play equipment. Or plan a route that includes nearby attractions to keep the little ones entertained and prevent boredom.

【For more exciting content, check out the July 2015 issue of HouseFun magazine】
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