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Need a fun-filled vacation to get the whole family outdoors without burning a hole in your pocket? Take a trip to the Northeast and experience the beauty of New Hampshire's pristine lakes and colorful trees, along with a never-ending list of activities for the whole family to enjoy.

The kids are in school, the sun is fading earlier each day, and suddenly winter is upon us all. While both time and money have a way of slipping through our fingers, there are still opportunities to seize the last of the fading light for some fun outdoor getaways, perfect for the whole family.

Families Are Roughin’ It

Camping may not sound like a luxury experience for younger generations, but the Northeast boasts many campsites offering affordable, kid-friendly getaways to escape the economic slump. In fact, a recent joint report from The Outdoor Foundation and Coleman showed that 33.7 million Americans age six or older participated in car and backyard camping in 2008, an increase of 7.4% from the previous year.

For those who are still looking for one of these unforgettable outdoor adventures, Woodland Acres Campground just across the state border in Brownfield, Maine offers inexpensive deals on both standard and river camping sites. In addition to spending a night under the stars and taking in the breathtaking fall foliage, kids have the freedom to participate in canoeing, use the ground’s large playground, play horseshoes or volleyball and use the recreation hall for pool and video games.  Don’t wait around for the last moment for these deals – the campground closes in mid-October.

Also closing its doors for the winter season and not far from the New Hampshire/Maine border, Eastern Slope Camping Area includes similar amenities and also features great kid-oriented activities such as fire truck hayrides, kayaking and their newly added heated swimming pools. This campsite is a win-win for both kids and adults, with the Conway Scenic Railroad only minutes away and several shopping outlets nearby.

Remaining open throughout the fall and winter seasons, Pine Knoll Campground in Albany, New Hampshire, offers some of the best views in the area and a beautiful campground to boot. With opportunities for fishing and boating and the added benefit of an on-site laundromat, a 24-hour grocery store and large playground, this campsite gives their guests a real camping adventure, allowing pull-in motor homes and trailers in addition to tent sites. Note that during the winter months the campground is operating at a discounted rate because after mid-October there is no running water at the site.  What’s even better is that the campground is a mere 10 miles from the area attraction, Monkey Trunks, a ropes course for all ages.