Roadtripping with tent in US with a 14 mounths old

Hey there

In 2008 my boyfriend and I rented a car a drove 16.000 km in the US. The rough route was from Los angeles, all the way up Highway 1 (absolutely gorgeous!) to Seattle. From here through the State of Montana, Wyoming and Yelllowstone, Colorado, and all the way down to Big Bend National park in Texas. From here through New Mexico, Arizona, up to Utah, through Nevada (Not Vegas) to Yosemite National park in California and back to Los Angeles. The whole time we slept in our tent in National Parks and State Parks. We absolutely love to travel in the US. Beautifull BIG country and amacing people. We avoided the interstates and did spent lots of time trekking and a minimum of time in the cities. We are very history interested, so the country is amacing to explore.
Now we want to go back again (it's an addiction;)). We have a 14 mounths (will be in summer 2011) daugther and are wondering if any of you have experience in trekking and sleeping in tent with a small child??? We (unfortunately) can't afford renting a motorhome, though it would have been the solution. Therefore we are wondering whether it's possible to sleep in a tent with a small child? Of course we will once in a while check in at a motel, but would like to camp for most of the time. We are planning to fly to Denver and travel in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana and North and South Dakotas. We would appreciate any kind of advice!! Hope someone can help to Danish people:) Thanks. Anna-Louise, Thomas and baby Thea

Sounds like a great trip. I love going on road trips through the US. It was the only way my family traveled when I was kid. Set up the tent each night. Took it down in the morning. Off to the next camp by afternoon.

One of the hassles of camping with a toddler is that someone will have the kid duty while the other is assigned to the camp duty. There won't be much sharing of chores. Those little buggers can get into a lot of trouble, and with those wide open spaces it'll be really quick. As long as you recognize that as a chore that needs constant vigilance then things will be lots of fun. One of my personal pet fears is the fire pit. Check it when you get into your camp as there may still be hot coals. I once took care of a toddler who fell hands first into hot coals just as the family got to camp.

Another thing that makes roadtripping with a baby different is that usually they can't sit in the car as long as adults. When our son was little we averaged about 25 miles an hour on roadtrips as we had to stop and play a lot more frequently. Nap time is good driving time.

Don't forget to find a babysitter one night when you are in a hotel. Relive the old days. Have fun!

Hi,

We did some camping when my son was young and it was never easy, but always a fun experience.

My biggest recommendation is a portable playpen. The first time I used it I felt so weird, but when I realized that it gave me freedom to move around once in awhile it was the biggest help ever. It also kept the little one from getting into areas he shouldn't.

Also, think of bringing a baby backpack or sling to use at times so you can keep on going when she tires out.

Really though, just have fun and make the best of every experience.

The only problem I can see is having to pitch a tent (two person job) and assemble bedding etc with a toddler at a time of day when she either wants a sleep, so is grizzly, or has just woken up from a sleep, so is on the move. You may want to spend a few nights at each place and travel slower so you aren't setting up camp each night. We did a similar trip when my youngest was 23 months and found motels cheap and easy. For about $50 we got a room and breakfast, usually a swimming and spa pool, and often a fridge and microwave in our room. The downside was that we were sleeping in small towns as opposed to beautiful National parks. We just travelled to the park and spent all day there then travelled half way to the next one late afternoon and stopped at a motel on route.