Exploring Patagonia: Camping activities for families

When people talk camping in Patagonia, they often highlight the challenging treks, unruly weather, and remote locations. Much of this could make you think a Patagonian vacation isn’t suitable for children – however, that couldn’t be further from the case. Patagonia is a tremendous place to introduce children to all the wonders of nature in a safe and fun environment. In this article, we run through why Patagonia is a great destination for vacationing with kids and suggest some camping activities for families.

Why Patagonia is so great for kids

Patagonia is a fantastic place to take children as it gives them the chance to explore some truly awe-inspiring landscape. However, nature’s might doesn’t mean that Patagonia is inhospitable – in fact, it’s quite the opposite. Chileans’ warmth, geniality, and love of children mean that it’s a wonderful place to travel with a family. Chile is also one of South America’s safest countries and in rural areas, crime is virtually unheard of. Furthermore, the health concerns that often go alongside exotic or unusual destinations do not arise in Patagonia. There are no water or mosquito-borne diseases such as cholera or malaria, so there’s no need to worry too much about illnesses.

Preparing to camp with children in Patagonia

However, when camping with kids in Patagonia it’s important to properly prepare – especially as the weather can be unpredictable. Top tips include:

• Pick safe campsites away from rivers, roads or cliffs.
• Wild camping with the kids is more suitable for families with older children. For younger children, pick somewhere with facilities like a shower block and toilets.
• Be sure to arrive at your campsite in daylight hours with plenty of time to pitch your tent.
• Pack waterproofs, good quality walking boots and quick-drying fleece sweaters.
• Make sure you take proper outdoor sleeping bags and comfortable sleeping mats.

Camping activities for families in Patagonia

With so much to see and do in Patagonia’s national parks, there’s no shortage of camping activities for families. In terms of organizing your itinerary, the best approach is to plan around the age of your children. It likely goes without saying, but it is useful to consult guides or tourist information officers about the difficulty of different hikes so you can choose suitable routes.

Be transported back to the Ice Age

If your kids loved the movie Ice Age, Patagonia will be a real treat. The glaciers, icefields, and craggy mountains will make kids feel like they’ve been transported back in time. For older kids, guided ice-trekking on a glacier is a thrilling encounter they’ll never forget. For families with small children, several glaciers in the region can be viewed from purpose-built platforms or as part of boat tours.

Spot incredible wildlife

Patagonia has some of the most diverse flora and fauna in the world. Therefore, there are numerous opportunities for kids to encounter fascinating wildlife. From penguins to llamas, whales to albatrosses, there are plenty of places where children can spot animals, teaching them to appreciate and care for the environment.

Nature’s adventure playground

Patagonia is home to some of the world’s most breathtaking landscape. Consequently, it’s one of the best places to get kids out to the great outdoors. Wherever you camp in the region, there will be a range of hiking routes for varying abilities. With so many rivers, rocks, lakes, and trees, Patagonia is a veritable adventure playground to explore.

Patagonia – A family vacation off the beaten track

With so many inspiring and fun camping activities for families, Patagonia is a better family vacation destination than you may have thought. After all, what could be more exciting, inspiring and fun for kids than playing in some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes? Now we’ve persuaded you, all that’s left is to start planning the adventure.