Tent Camping - Family - First Time - Need Advice

[TB80]

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.

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?

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?

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?

Any other tips/suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

[Jayt22]

Air mattress! It's a must!

[thegrouse]

Air mattresses for adults it is optional for the kids. I have a queen air mattress you can borrow if you want.

[LFD2037]

We do tent camping a lot. I can't sleep on air mattress' because every time someone else moves it wakes me up. I sleep on a cot w/a matching pad & it's super comfy (but it's also a $200 set-up not including my sleeping bag). For the kids, a decent mat will be fine. In April it may already be pretty warm but probably raining so time it accordingly. Do NOT take them tent camping, especially for their first time, in the Texas summer. Nothing more miserable than sweating while you sleep, if you can, then waking up & it already being stupid hot. Try late March/early April. Take balls, games, smore's, kites, binos, plenty of blankets & snacks. Kids love flashlights too! Have fun is the most important thing.

[easeup]

April is a good time to go before it gets too hot in TX. Keep them warm dry and well fed with food they like and they will think camping is great. Your activity list is second fiddle in that if you fail to meet the first criteria nothing you do will be fun and if you meet the first criteria, then anything you decide to do will be fun.

I suggest you let the kids do simple stuff like seeing critters and playing in the dirt, and building a fire while you share life together.

[Cookiemonster1]

Inks is nice and has a little store to buy things. They also have little cabins at Inks if you want to go that route.

[topduarte]

Bastrop is where we took our kids all the time before the fires. Still not bad. Go to Creekside camping area and is isolated and withing walking distance of bathrooms and showers.

Many memories made their with the family.

[TB80]

Good stuff guys. Keep it coming.

@thegrouse: thanks for the offer. I may end up buying an air mattress but if I don't I may take you up on your offer.

[John Paul]

Stayed at Gaudalupe state park last wk/end for the first time. It's a campers dream, we have a trailer but the sites are very wooded with lots of cover. Park is close to SA, a lot of hiking trails, my kids loved it. We are usually at a state park at least once every 30-45 days, we have gone a lot of places but that park is on the top of our list now.

[txstringbender]

Tent camp in the backyard. That way when you can't sleep, just get up and go sleep in your bed. Hahaha

It's easier to camp when it's cool and not blazing hot. I tent camp several times per year with two boys in cub scouts. I'm looking forward to when they get to be Boyscouts. That's when the real fun begins.

[boomerball]

Agree on doing it before heat comes into play.
Much easier to deal with it getting cold at night vs the other.
First time we planned camping with ours we did a test run in the backyard, but she was only 15mo at the time.

[Kurdawg]

So are you planning on using an old tent? If buying a new one buy the Colman easy up. I can set it up and take it down in inder 5 minutes. Very nice tent. And remember if it says sleeps 6 that means 2 adults lol

[yotaman]

Inks is fun. Short hikes through the black banded rose granite and fishing. Dont need a license in the park either for the lil ones.

[TB80]

Good suggestion to camp in the backyard.

I got an 8 person Coleman tent recently that should have plenty of room.

Thanks again for all the suggestions. Keep them coming.

[CWP]

If you go to Garner, try to get a space in "old garner". Closer to Old Baldy, the main swimming hole, and the dance.