As someone else already pointed out, those radios in the stores are likely 22-channel hybrid radios that operate both on the Family Radio Service and the General Mobile Radio Service. As GMRS radios, you do require a license from the FCC to operate them. That's $80 for a 5-year license that covers you and your family. If you want an inexpensive radio for just occasional use and want non-family members to use these radios (legally) with you, it may not make sense financially or hassle-wise to go this route.
For short range communication with people in your group, like around the campsite or car caravanning, as an alternative, I would suggest that you look for a 14-channel FRS-only radio. No license is required to use a FRS radio so there's no additional cost beyond batteries, and you can lend one to anyone without worrying if they have a license, too. Short range, they perform just as well as the hybrid radios, and even though hybrids use higher power, the actual range is not necessarily much farther than FRS in many circumstances. I stick to using FRS-only radios because they are license-free and meet my communication needs, particularly in making things easy for the
other person to use a radio legally. If your spouse or friend that you want to talk with isn't willing to pay for a GMRS license, study for a HAM ticket, or doesn't want to bother with using call signs and using simple radio protocol, then GMRS or Amateur (HAM) radio isn't really an option and FRS fits the bill.
Unfortunately, FRS radios are all but extinct in retail stores because they are all discontinued (except for the high-end Icom IC-4088A's, I believe), but you can still find stores on the Internet and eBay that still have used or brand new units. Especially on eBay, the prices are inexpensive. You can search the eBay two-way radio listings
here. When looking, remember that any ad that says "FRS/GMRS", 22-channel, or claims a range greater than 2 miles is not a FRS-only radio.
Cobra brand FRS radios are by far the most common ones on the Internet and eBay these days. Not sure why there's such a huge inventory of them still, and I don't have any personal experience with them. Personally, I dislike the way their FRS Microtalk's look anyway. Motorola's are usually a good bet, and unlike most Cobra radios, most Motorola's use 3AA rather than 3AAA for longer battery life and good for those of us who try to standardize our gear on one size of battery, like AA's. For solid, basic Motorola radios that can still be found easily, I would recommend the FR60 or the T5200, but any of their Talkabout series are fine, like the T250, but are harder to find brand new. I recently saw an eBay listing for a pair of FR60's for like $5. Kenwood's generally get very good reviews. Their UBZ-AL14 and AM14 are also good, basic radios but harder to find cheap than Cobra's or Motorola's. Hope that helps.