Tent Camping - Family - First Time - Need Advice

[Brazman]

I am planning on taking my family tent camping for the first time this spring. The only tent camping I have done in the past 20 years has been backpacking in the mountains, which isn't quite the same thing as going to a state park in Texas. Yes, it will be quite different. But still great!

I have two kids aged 2 and 4. We are near San Antonio and I would prefer to go to some place within two hours. I am thinking about going to Inks Lake or Garner State Park. I am looking for any tips or advice you can think of. If you suggest a park, which campground should I choose? For example, Garner State Park has multiple campsites to choose from? Is there one that is better? Either one of those would be just fine. The kids don't have anything to compare them to, camping-wise. Inks is close to Longhorn Cavern, which would be a fun excursion. My kids (now 3 and 5) LOVED going into the cavern. They've been to Carlsbad, too, and still talk about that a year later.

Also, we are thinking about going in April. Is that a good/bad time? Should I wait until the summer so I can swim or go in April before it is too hot? Don't wait until summer. Go now, and if yall have fun, go again!

Regarding sleeping, I have a tent and sleeping bags. However, I need to get some mattresses/pads. For the kids, should I get an air mattress or just a sleeping pad? April should be warm enough for using air mattresses for adults. The kids don't need that much padding to sleep comfortably. For our kids, we've used a pack-n-play, ThermaRest pads, or just sleeping on top of a sleeping bag with sheets/blankets over them.

Any other tips/suggestions? YES! See below.

Thanks in advance.

I was lucky enough to marry a woman who loves camping, too. In fact, we sort of feed each other's passion for it. We've done the more minimal backpacking together, too, but when our kids were born we adjusted and started car camping. Both of our kids (currently 3 and 5, about to be 4 and 6) went on their first camping trip by the time they were 6 months old.

We have a plastic tote "Camping" box that stays packed with different gear, mostly for cooking. It's nice to have everything packed together and ready for a double-check before throwing in the van.

If you cater the trip to them and make it fun, they should have a blast. Many great tips have been offered already, but I'll add my $.02 into the pot:

Bring lots of snacks. I find that kids, out in nature, can almost never stop eating. Aren't you much happier when you're full of your favorite foods, too? We use the park grills with charcoal and like to grill out fun things, steaks, veggie skewers, S'Mores, hot dogs, etc. Also fun drinks like juice boxes, choc or strawberry milks, Yoohoos, etc. elevate the sense of occasion. Bring some splurges for yourselves, too!

I bought our two kids each a $10 headlamp. They know which one is theirs, and they know not to shine it in anyone's eyes, They are worn with such pride!

Something my own kids have certainly enjoyed are the glow sticks you snap and shake and then glow all night. They also serve as pretty decent night lights in the tent until they fall asleep. Speaking of falling asleep...

Don't be afraid to WEAR THEM OUT, going on hikes, playing games, going fishing if you like to (but yes, focus solely on them and their fishing experience...kids don't have to catch a single fish to have a good time doing it, if they can tell that you're focused on them and doing it together, enjoying the many discoveries to be found on the water). And then, after supper, GO FOR A DRIVE somewhere so they can fall asleep in the car and you can transfer them to the tent. We pulled this stunt several times after one camping trip when our oldest was 2 and spent several hours at bedtime, bouncing around, almost vibrating really, and repeating over and over "We're CAMPING! We're in the TENT and we're CAMPIIIIIIIIING!" It's a hilarious memory we share, but we didn't get much sleep that night, and under-rested toddlers should be avoided at all costs when camping. Really, always.

You'll probably be surprised at the kinds of things that stand out to your two kids, the things that will make a significant impact on them, but listen to and talk to them, and they'll probably have the time of their lives. We went to Caprock Canyon back in October for a two-day camp-out, saw a small rattlesnake, took a short hike, saw the bison, fished for 10 minutes, and my 3 year talks about that trip ALL. THE. TIME. "When can we go back to Caprock Canyon?" It's a weekly question. We love that.

Seriously, props to you, and I hope yall have a blast. We're planning our End-Of-Spring-Break-Week trip down to Seminole Canyon and already anticipating a great time. Going to catch Sonora Cavern on the way home, because my kids are well-established spelunkers and we'd catch heck from them if we didn't.

[Mjjust]

I second Inks Lake. Tons of great advice so won't repeat it. I would do the water only sites at Inks. The water and electric sites are more crowded and several of the water only are right on the water yet fairly isolated for a state park. Site 317 and 310 are our favorites. Both have very gentle slope to water. Lots of flat area for tents and the water is very shallow for a good ways so no worries of kids steeping off into deep water and can beach the boat at the campsite. Our family loves camping. It is in my blood. My parents told me I was conceived on a camp out so I guess that's why. We used to have a private place on the Guadalupe to camp for years till the owner passed away so just started the state park scene in last few years. April is awesome at inks as the bluebonnets and other wild flowers are everywhere

[quarterback]

And lets not forget a most important tool:

[TB80]

Yall have given some great advice and tips. I really appreciate you all taking the time to respond. I am a fan of learning from others' experiences so this stuff is very helpful. Keep it coming.

[brushtrooper]

I would suggest having a selection of tent stakes. For example in rocky terrain, back dirt, sand...all will take a different stake. Especially sand and the beach.
I would make sure to put a water sealer and seam sealer on your tent and rainfly. Nothing worse than morning dew dripping down on you/wife/kids.
Take a shallow pan to put water in and place at front of tent entrance to wash dirt/sand etc from feet before getting into tent. We did to where you step in pan,step on towel,step in tent type thing.
I did the window unit and tent thing for years while camping with the kids when they were little. Its redneck and it works, I can assure in July, in the campground, you will be comfortable. The new self inflating cot mattresses are nice and comfy, I use one in my Kamping Kot on the beach and on a boat when going offshore. Use a bar of soap to keep your zippers lubed. For beach or sandy areas baby powder will take the sand right off your skin. Makes it nice when camping on the beach. My wife and I still camp a lot, mainly on the beach. We have everything set up in plastic totes and labeled. For example: food, fishing, pots/pans, first aid, sleeping, etc....makes loading and packing easy. Good luck and have fun, my kids are 18 and 20 now. On of the things they talk about is the camping trips.

[wsteffen]

Almost all of the parks mentioned have screened shelters available. Good idea, I always got one when available and I had a tent camper. Good place to cook and get away from the bugs. Inks Lake is great. You can drive down the road and go to Long Horn Caverns.

[DuckDogTrainer]

I read this post and thought maybe I should load the family up and go camping! Talked to the wife about it and...... Not going camping lol!

[boomer453]

bring them to toledo bend, i'll gladly loan you a canoe to use while your here and i have an REI 6-man dome tent and a queen size air mattress your welcome to borrow as well. plenty of great parks on the lake and if you come during march/april you can hit some of the best bass fishing to be had anywhere in the country.

an open offer-just let me know.

[TB80]

bring them to toledo bend, i'll gladly loan you a canoe to use while your here and i have an REI 6-man dome tent and a queen size air mattress your welcome to borrow as well. plenty of great parks on the lake and if you come during march/april you can hit some of the best bass fishing to be had anywhere in the country.

an open offer-just let me know.

Awesome offer! Thank you. I may take you up on it one day after I do some test runs closer to home.

[crittergetter76]

Camping when its still cool out gives you the opportunity to enjoy a good camp fire. Not so much in the summer. Making smores and grilling hot dogs over the camp fire is fun and gets the kiddos involved.

Take a comfortable lawn chair. Cots or air mattresses are personal preference. Cots seem to take up less floor space, imo. A floormat to remove shoes outside of the tent will keep things much cleaner inside.

Having an itinerary is great, but be flexible to allow unscheduled "rabbit trails" such as following deer tracks, skipping stones, catching tadpoles, etc. Hope yall have a great family trip!

[SwampRabbit]

Here is another option to Tent camping. Go to a state park with screened shelters/cabins. Screened shelters are a favorite of mine in the spring. Garner S.P. is a perfect place for this. We just bring cots for us and pads for the kids and sleep inside the shelter. If it is cold, a good 16' poly tarp taped to the windows helps keep it warmer or keeps the breeze out.

the nice thing about using the shelter for your first couple trips with the kiddos is you don't have to fret bad weather as much and putting up tents, etc. You can just focus on exploring the park, etc. From there you can take bigger steps in bringing a tent or two and staying in a tent only site. BTW, most screen shelters have a tent pad that you can setup a tent for you or for the kids while the others stay in the shelter.