Memorial Day honors the men and women who lost their lives while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. “Originally known as ‘Decoration Day,’ it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971,” according to History.org.
Memorial Day weekend also marks the official beginning of the summer camping season. It’s the weekend when most campgrounds open their swimming pools and waterparks and begin their summer schedule of weekend activities..
Many campgrounds celebrate Memorial Day with red, white and blue parades and barbecues, others honor our veterans with letter writing activities, storytelling sessions and ceremonies to honor their sacrifices on behalf of our country. Others organize patriotic crafts, barbecues, pool parties, and dances with live music.
Here’s a sampling of some of the Memorial Day weekend activities that are being planned at campgrounds and RV resorts across the country:
Alabama
- Great Escapes RV Resort in Leesburg: This park’s Memorial Day activities include a “Letters to Veterans” activity, where families can write heartfelt notes and letters of appreciation to honor those who serve. These letters will be sent to local veterans' organizations and military personnel, letting them know their sacrifices are appreciated and never forgotten. Other activities include a “Moment of Remembrance” ceremony, complete with a flag-raising, a moment of silence, and an opportunity to hear stories from veterans and their families.
For children, there will be an interactive "Veterans History Booth" where they can learn about the sacrifices made by heroes and understand the true meaning of Memorial Day. There will also be patriotic-themed crafts, such as making American flags or creating “Thank You” cards for veterans, and family-friendly games like “Patriot Relay Races” and “Veteran Trivia.” A special feature will be a “Wall of Honor,” where families can pin up photos or names of military heroes they’d like to remember, creating a shared space for reflection and respect. The park will close out the day with a Memorial Day barbecue.
California
- Campland on the Bay in San Diego: Memorial Weekend at Campland on the Bay brings back campers who come celebrate the holiday year after year. The Recreation Department hosts all kinds of camper fun, including a giant 90-foot long water slide, life-size inflatable games, dodgeball, soccer, and a horseshoe tournament. In the evening, Campland Rocks provides live entertainment on the Central Park Stage. Campers dance and listen to music under the stars. Black Rock Candy, featuring classic rock, is slated for May 23. 3 Car Garage Band, featuring 70’s rock n’ roll, will perform on May 24. On May 25, a group called Barbwire will play country music.
- Mountain High Resort near Wrightwood: The Mountain High Ski Resort has a festival over Memorial Day weekend with food and live music, including Karaoke. Seven campgrounds are located near the resort and are linked through its website.
- Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina in Newport Beach: This resort’s aquatic park opens Friday, May 23. Several bands will also perform over the weekend, including David Rosales on May 23, who plays country, folk, blues and rock music, and the Showbiz Guys on May 24, who play rock n’ roll. Cali Conscious, a local favorite, will play reggae music on May 25. Food trucks and a full bar will also be available.
- San Diego Metro KOA Resort in Chula Vista: This campground is celebrating Memorial Day weekend with a mermaid pool party, a movie night, live music, bike decorating, and a parade.
- Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay KOA Holiday in Watsonville: Memorial weekend activities include arts and crafts, a bike parade, as well as a pool and foam party.
Colorado
- Colorado Springs KOA Holiday in Fountain: Memorial Day weekend activities at this campground include a parade, a patriotic scavenger hunt, and a veterans' storytelling session in which they share inspiring stories. Guests can also learn about flag etiquette with a fun flag-folding workshop and enjoy patriotic family fames as well as a Memorial Day barbecue. The weekend will conclude with a heartwarming campfire ceremony
Connecticut
- Water's Edge Campground in Lebanon: Memorial Day weekend activities include kids crafts, kids candy bar bingo, a kids scavenger hunt, a raptor bird exhibit by “A Place Called Hope,” a hayride, a Texas Hold-Em tournament, and high stakes adults-only bingo.
Georgia
- Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Bremen: Activities at this park over Memorial Day weekend include a patriotic parade with the bears, a patriotic craft station, and an “Honor the Fallen” ceremony with Yogi Bear.
Illinois
- Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Pittsfield: Memorial Day weekend activities at this park include a golf cart parade, potato sack races, a cornhole tournament, and a pool party.
- Lena KOA Holiday in Lena: This park has an elaborate weekend planned for Memorial Day, including beer tastings ice cream socials and a Terrainables Ride.
Indiana
- Angola/Hogback Lake KOA Holiday in Angola: This park is celebrating Memorial Day weekend with a yard sale, wet hay rides, bingo, a cornhole tournament a parade.
Michigan
- Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Carsonville: This park will celebrate Memorial Day weekend with the grand opening of its water zone, which features thrilling slides and splash-filled fun for all ages. Patriotic activities include a solemn flag-raising ceremony, spirited parades, and meaningful themed crafts that pay tribute to the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice. As the day winds down, guests can gather for s’mores and storytelling under the stars.
Mississippi
- Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Pelahatchie: Memorial Day weekend activities include a patriotic craft station, a patriotic parade with the bears, and an “Honor the Fallen” ceremony with Yogi Bear, a “Freedom is Sweet” ice cream social, a glow ride, a giant waterslide and fireworks at the beach.
New Jersey
- Ocean View Resort Campground in Ocean View: Activities over Memorial Day weekend include spin art, candy bingo, a magic show with Mr. Magico, a flea market, and a lake dance with DJ Ronnie.
Ohio
- Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Cleveland: Memorial Day weekend kicks off with a patriotic parade led by Yogi bear, who will be decked out in his finest red, white, and blue! Families can cheer, wave flags, and enjoy a star-spangled start to the festivities. There will also be a touching Memorial Ceremony, where Yogi Bear and Boo Boo will join guests in a special flag-raising tribute and a moment of reflection to honor our fallen heroes. Other activities include star-spangled scavenger hunts and “gratitude crafts” in which guests can create patriotic keepsakes.
- Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Mt. Gilead: Guests are invited to dress in patriotic colors and decorate their bicycles and golf carts in red, white, and blue for the park’s Memorial Day parade. The park will also offer a glow ride and a dance party with a live band.
- Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in North Lawrence: Guests are encourage to show off their patriotic pride in a golf cart decorating contest and cruise around the park in the Memorial Day parade. There will be a red, white and blue barbecue party with fun and games.
Pennsylvania
- Pioneer Campground in Muncy Valley: Activities over Memorial Day weekend at this park include matchbox car races, bingo, and entertainment from DJ Don and AM Flashback.
Tennessee
- Pigeon Forge / Gatlinburg KOA Holiday in Pigeon Forge: Memorial Day weekend activities at this campground include crafts, ceramic painting, tie dye souvenirs, train rides, a movie night, and a campground cookout. This campground is also planning a duck race to raise funds for Care Camps Foundation, a national non-profit organization that funds medically supervised pediatric oncology camps across the U.S. and Canada.
Texas
- Great Escapes RV Resort in Bryan: This park celebrates Memorial Day weekend with a wet wagon ride, a slip 'n slide, a foam party, and a hot dog eating contest.
- Great Escapes RV Resort in Perrin: This park celebrates Memorial Day weekend with a community picnic social with Biscuit, uplifting music, and moments of quiet reflection at the park’s Memorial Wall.
Washington
- Bay Center/Willapa Bay KOA Holiday in South Bend: This campground celebrates Memorial Day weekend with tons of activities, including arts and crafts, a rocket launch, wine and beer tasting, glitter tattoos, and a movie in the park.
Wisconsin
- Kinney Lake Campground in Marion: This park will offer crafts, live bands, and Karaoke throughout Memorial Day weekend. Sunday will have a carnival theme with fun games, activities, and treats for the whole family.
- Lake Arrowhead Campground in Montello: This park is calling all superheroes and fairy princesses for a magical Memorial Day weekend full of super fun! Activities include an obstacle course, cornhole and 3-on-3 basketball tournaments, a superheroe photo challenge, and a campground-wide rummage sale.
- Pineland Camping Park in Big Flats: Memorial Day weekend activities at this park include superheroe-themed crafts, a parade of heroes and villains, a villain scavenger hunt, a cornhole tournament, a patriotic glow parade with prizes for the best-decorated golf cart and a campsite decorating contest with prizes for best patriotic and superheroe-themed campsites. There will also be live music and Karaoke.
- Skillet Creek Campground in Baraboo: Memorial Day weekend activities include creative spin t-shirt crafting, a dazzling glow parade and a movie night.
