Traveling with a big family is different.
More shoes. More snacks. More planning. More money.
But also more memories.
We are a family of seven sharing real mountain trips across Gatlinburg, the Smoky Mountains, and Virginia. This blog is where we document what actually works for large families, including real budgets, cabin stays, packing systems, and gear we personally use.
If you are new here, start with this guide.
Why We Started Budget Family Journeys
We realized most travel content is built for couples or small families.
That does not work for seven people.
We needed:
• Cabins with real space
• Kitchens to cook meals
• Budget systems that prevent overspending
• Packing methods that reduce chaos
• Gear that survives road trips
So we built our own system.
Now we share it here.
You can also follow our day to day trips on Instagram:
👉 Follow us on Instagram: Budget – Family – Journeys
How We Afford Mountain Trips With 7 People
We do not use credit cards to fund travel.
We use sinking funds.
That means every month we set aside a specific amount for:
• Lodging
• Food
• Gas
• Activities
When the trip comes, it is already paid for.
If you want to see the exact breakdown of one of our real trips, read:
👉 Our Real Gatlinburg Budget Breakdown
Where We Stay: Cabins and Smart Hotel Picks
For big families, space matters more than luxury.
Most of our trips focus on:
• 3 to 5 bedroom cabins
• Full kitchens
• Washer and dryer
• Layouts that give kids space
You can browse our curated stays here:
👉 Hotel Options That Work for Families of 6+
We only share stays we would confidently book ourselves.
Our Travel Packing System for 7 People
Packing is where most stress begins.
We do not pack randomly.
We use:
• Individual packing cubes per child
• Labeled snack bins
• Road trip activity backpacks
• Pre planned cabin kitchen bins
Read the full system here: What We Actually Use
Amazon Travel Gear We Actually Use
We only recommend products we use on real trips.
Here are some of our essentials:
Car Organization for Road Trips
• Backseat car organizers
• Trunk storage bins
• Travel trash containers
• Seat gap fillers
👉 Shop our car organization picks here: Shop Our Gear
Kids Travel Backpacks by Age
We use different backpacks depending on age and independence.
Ages 2 to 3
Small lightweight backpack with snack pocket and comfort straps
👉 Buy Age 2 to 4 Backpack here
Ages 5 to 7
Structured backpack with water bottle holder and activity section
👉 Buy Ages 5 to 7 Backpack here
Ages 8 to 9
Larger backpack with compartments for books, headphones, and travel journal
👉 Ages 8 to 10 Backpack here
Cabin Stay Essentials
• Travel spice kit
• Collapsible laundry basket
• Night lights for unfamiliar rooms
• Portable sound machine
👉 Shop our cabin essentials here: Check out our Shop Essentials
Our Promise
We will always:
• Share real budgets
• Share real pros and cons
• Recommend only what we would use
• Prioritize large family practicality
Traveling with a big family takes structure.
But it is absolutely worth it.
Start Planning Your Next Mountain Trip
Start here:
👉 Best Gatlinburg Cabins for Big Families
👉 Free and Low Cost Things to Do in the Smokies
And follow along on Instagram for real time trips and updates:
👉 Follow our instagram page here
Welcome to Budget Family Journeys.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you book or purchase through them. We only recommend products and stays we genuinely use and trust.
Budget Family Journeys 
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