How do you camp?

I grew up going camping for holidays and even though I complained as I got older, I still loved it. We don't have a lot of cash for our summer vacation this year, since we went to New Orleans, and I'm wondering about camping. How do you find a good location? Are State Parks the way to go just like Provincial Parks are in Canada? Has anyone camped with a 17 month (probably 18 months by the time we go) child and have pointers? Should I avoid the tent and get a cabin?

Luckily, I'll be able to do a lot of my internet searching in front of the tv once my netbook arrives!