Any camping experts here? Looking to purchase for a family of 5.

[Eppy99]

We've never camped before as a family. Yea I suppose we should try something out in the backyard first. But assuming we enjoy and want to take the next steps, what would you all recommend for our family?

I've got three girls, 10, 13 & 14. Should I buy a single tent with some built in partitions for privacy for the girls or consider buying two seperate tents? Also have a 90lb dog we might want to bring along. How many sq ft per person should I be looking for some comfort? Also what do you recommend for sleeping bags and pads? I probably won't invest in cooking equipment until we know we enjoy the sleeping experience first.

Any other thoughts?

TIA!

 

[hookyIU1990]

Didn't we answer this freaking question 3 years ago? Take those answers and add 20%.

Post some bewbs next time.

 

[Eppy99]

Didn't we answer this freaking question 3 years ago? Take those answers and add 20%.

Post some bewbs next time.

I think your memory is better than mine. I'm not sure if we ever got into the details. I think maybe we left it at sleep in the backyard first. I'll see if I can find that thread if there is one.

 

[hookyIU1990]

I think your memory is better than mine. I'm not sure if we ever got into the details. I think maybe we left it at sleep in the backyard first. I'll see if I can find that thread if there is one.

I was just trying to get you to post some cleavage pics.

 

[Eppy99]

I was just trying to get you to post some cleavage pics.

now thats ****ing lovely! just found the thread, thanks for the reminder. Obviously i dind't do anything 3 years ago. With the kids camp likely getting canceled I started thinking maybe this is the time we get serious about camping.

 

[kkott]

We've never camped before as a family. Yea I suppose we should try something out in the backyard first. But assuming we enjoy and want to take the next steps, what would you all recommend for our family?

I've got three girls, 10, 13 & 14. Should I buy a single tent with some built in partitions for privacy for the girls or consider buying two seperate tents? Also have a 90lb dog we might want to bring along. How many sq ft per person should I be looking for some comfort? Also what do you recommend for sleeping bags and pads? I probably won't invest in cooking equipment until we know we enjoy the sleeping experience first.

Any other thoughts?

TIA!

Personally, I'd buy two tents: a 6-8 person (imo, they consider a person to be the size of an average 10 year old) and then a 2-4 person for the "adults". Separate rooms within a tent has never seemed real functional to me and just a pain getting in/out, but maybe others have different opinions. Try and maximize ventilation and ease of setup. Also, I like tents that have a little vestibule where the rainfly covers an area outside the tent compartment. It's handy to allow boots/shoes to dry and to store something like a small cooler, lantern, etc... That way you can store stuff, keep it out of the rain for handy access or to dry out for the next day without it mucking up the tent floor. The reason I'd go with 2 tents is if you continue to camp, you might find not your whole family will go so you'd have a couple options as far as tents to match the # of folks going. The larger tent, I'd buy large enought to fit everybody, even if tight, and then you could maybe start with that one if you don't want to initially invest in 2 tents, but long term I think you'll be happier with 2 tents. I've rarely heard people complain about too much room in a tent, but often heard them complain they are too small.

Also, make sure you have a tarp/groundcloth for your tent. It will help keep your tent clean and more waterproof if you encounter rain (you will!). Also, how you put a tent up is important. If it's not dry when you pack it up, you need to put it back up and clean it out thoroughly when you get home or it will get mildewed and smell. If you're not sure if they'll like it, start by borrowing a tent, or get a cabin somewhere. I found some cabins up in the mountains I like and I usually opt to go there and not even bother with a tent.

 

[bshields]

Look on Craigslist or somewhere for a good deal. Try it out and if all goes well and you think you need a new tent, you can spend the money then. You will have a better idea what you like/don’t like.

 

[UncleMark]

 

[largemouth]

Sounds like fun

 

[sglowrider]

Look on Craigslist or somewhere for a good deal. Try it out and if all goes well and you think you need a new tent, you can spend the money then. You will have a better idea what you like/don’t like.

Cant you find friends to camp with on Craigslist?

or a few...

 

[sglowrider]

We've never camped before as a family. Yea I suppose we should try something out in the backyard first. But assuming we enjoy and want to take the next steps, what would you all recommend for our family?

I've got three girls, 10, 13 & 14. Should I buy a single tent with some built in partitions for privacy for the girls or consider buying two seperate tents? Also have a 90lb dog we might want to bring along. How many sq ft per person should I be looking for some comfort? Also what do you recommend for sleeping bags and pads? I probably won't invest in cooking equipment until we know we enjoy the sleeping experience first.

Any other thoughts?

TIA!

Reminds me of this sketch...

 

[iubud]

We've never camped before as a family. Yea I suppose we should try something out in the backyard first. But assuming we enjoy and want to take the next steps, what would you all recommend for our family?

I've got three girls, 10, 13 & 14. Should I buy a single tent with some built in partitions for privacy for the girls or consider buying two seperate tents? Also have a 90lb dog we might want to bring along. How many sq ft per person should I be looking for some comfort? Also what do you recommend for sleeping bags and pads? I probably won't invest in cooking equipment until we know we enjoy the sleeping experience first.

Any other thoughts?

TIA!

My parents bought a used tent big enough for our family of 4 and another family of four. We fit 8 cots and the items we wanted comfortably. Store as much as possible in your truck or car. It will stay dry locked up when away from camp. Get one ten.

With 3 girls, at least one and possibly 2 will hate camping. I would suggest a campground with a pool, store, or something to make it less primitive. We went to a few places at Kentucky Lake that had a store, game room and a marina where you could rent a pontoon boat.

 

[kkott]

My parents bought a used tent big enough for our family of 4 and another family of four. We fit 8 cots and the items we wanted comfortably. Store as much as possible in your truck or car. It will stay dry locked up when away from camp. Get one ten.

With 3 girls, at least one and possibly 2 will hate camping. I would suggest a campground with a pool, store, or something to make it less primitive. We went to a few places at Kentucky Lake that had a store, game room and a marina where you could rent a pontoon boat.

That's why I say buy two tents. After your first time or two, I think you'll find that the entire family doesn't want to go, or you'll have trips with 1 or 2 kids, and it will be a pain to only have 1 large tent. In my case, we did a couple family trips, but my ex-wife didn't enjoy it and so I could take the kids camping and give her a break. Plus we had church and boy scout trips for 1 of the kids and I would take the smaller tent. I'm also not sure about buying used. I was always surprised at how affordable tents were and it is very easy to lose parts, so you might be buying someone else's problems, if they lost or broke parts, mildew, tears, etc...

 

[MyTeamIsOnTheFloor]

We've never camped before as a family. Yea I suppose we should try something out in the backyard first. But assuming we enjoy and want to take the next steps, what would you all recommend for our family?

I've got three girls, 10, 13 & 14. Should I buy a single tent with some built in partitions for privacy for the girls or consider buying two seperate tents? Also have a 90lb dog we might want to bring along. How many sq ft per person should I be looking for some comfort? Also what do you recommend for sleeping bags and pads? I probably won't invest in cooking equipment until we know we enjoy the sleeping experience first.

Any other thoughts?

TIA!

Tents suck.
Put the kids in a tent and get a camper.
Pickup with a topper you drive out from under:

Plus, you can hide inside while bears eat your stuff.

 

[Cream&Crimson]

Tents suck.
Put the kids in a tent and get a camper.
Pickup with a topper you drive out from under:

hi
Plus, you can hide inside while bears eat your stuff.

This. ^

Tents are ok if you all are "really" into it. If any one of you are not so much, it will be a drag. A trial run in the back yard as others have suggested is a really good idea. You may love it! And it will help you work out the kinks of your setup.

If you go with tents, make sure you have at least two. Put the kids in one and you and your wife in another. Trust me on this.

When they say "two-man tent" and you're thinking of putting two people in that one, double it and get a "four-man" Get a 5-8 man tent for those three kids.

Good luck. It's a lot of work camping with kids. I only did it once. I camped all the time as a kid and single guy. Got married, decided we'd take the kids camping - only ever did that one time. Way too much work. YMMV

 

[kkott]

This. ^

Tents are ok if you all are "really" into it. If any one of you are not so much, it will be a drag. A trial run in the back yard as others have suggested is a really good idea. You may love it! And it will help you work out the kinks of your setup.

If you go with tents, make sure you have at least two. Put the kids in one and you and your wife in another. Trust me on this.

When they say "two-man tent" and you're thinking of putting two people in that one, double it and get a "four-man" Get a 5-8 man tent for those three kids.

Good luck. It's a lot of work camping with kids. I only did it once. I camped all the time as a kid and single guy. Got married, decided we'd take the kids camping - only ever did that one time. Way too much work. YMMV

For me less is more with camping. I really didn't mind camping, but I'm a minimalist. Small tent, sleeping bags with sleeping pads, lantern, flashlights, and meals that were prepped. I found it easier to take the kids only, as keeping the ex entertained was the most challenging and unfun part. The kids loved it and hiking and outdoor stuff all day and they'd be ready to hit the hay at dark... maybe sit by the fire for an hour, but they were in bed early and then I could relax with an adult beverage or 6. But what I hated was it almost always rains in the mountains here and it sucks breaking camp with a wet tent/grear, not to mention if the rain messes up your plans. Then I found a campground up in the mountains and they have these little cabins... I call them sleeping shacks, but they have beds, half baths, and the ultimate camping luxury: a window air conditioner. I think they are about $80/night while their riverside campsites in the same area are about $40. Well worth the extra $40 to have the cabin with a covered porch to avoid the rain. The other great part is that while it's on a river and the AT is literally at the front of the campground (lots of AT hikers camp there), it's on the edge of a small town. You can walk in to a handful of restaurants or bars so you don't even have to cook if you don't want to, or can augment with restaurant meals. I still break out a tent every few years, but that's where I get my outdoor fixes most of the time.

 

[Cream&Crimson]

For me less is more with camping. I really didn't mind camping, but I'm a minimalist. Small tent, sleeping bags with sleeping pads, lantern, flashlights, and meals that were prepped. I found it easier to take the kids only, as keeping the ex entertained was the most challenging and unfun part. The kids loved it and hiking and outdoor stuff all day and they'd be ready to hit the hay at dark... maybe sit by the fire for an hour, but they were in bed early and then I could relax with an adult beverage or 6. But what I hated was it almost always rains in the mountains here and it sucks breaking camp with a wet tent/grear, not to mention if the rain messes up your plans. Then I found a campground up in the mountains and they have these little cabins... I call them sleeping shacks, but they have beds, half baths, and the ultimate camping luxury: a window air conditioner. I think they are about $80/night while their riverside campgrounds in the same area are about $40. Well worth the $40 to have the cabin with a covered porch to avoid the rain. The other great part is that while it's on a river and the AT is literally at the front of the campground (lots of AT hikers camp there) there, it's on the edge of a small town. You can walk in to a handful of restaurants or bars so you don't even have to cook if you don't want to, or can augment with restaurant meals. I still break out a tent every few years, but that's where I get my outdoor fixes most of the time.

Yeah I pretty much agree with all of that. I've found, for me, I can get by very minimalist. I like to "rough it." But a family with three kids on their first outing might want to make sure they have some creature comforts. They'll have to learn not to take everything but the kitchen sink with them. That comes in time.

 

[evvcabinetman]

keeping the ex entertained was the most challenging and unfun part.

Bingo - my sole camping experience with my wife went like this - worked all day, loaded up the truck and cooler and got to the campground around 6:30 - set up the tent by myself while my wife watched our son, put all the equipment in the tent, set up and started a campfire, then set up some chairs for us around the fire. I turned on some music, sat down with my son in my lap, popped open a cold beer and within minutes she's asking me "so is this all we're going to do?" If I was a smart man, I would have pulled up the tent stakes and headed home immediately; it was only going to go downhill from there.

Fast forward 20 something years - my wife tells me she thinks we need an RV to go camping in. I thought she was joking. After determining she was serious, I started figuring in my head how much it would cost - the RV cost, license, insurance, camping gear - and half of all our assets in the divorce that was sure to follow. I told her I think I'll pass on the RV.

 

[hookyIU1990]

I didn't realize how fortunate, and apparently rare, it was to have a wife that enjoys camping. I can even get her to kayak and canoe on occasion.

 

[Cortez88]

Yeah I pretty much agree with all of that. I've found, for me, I can get by very minimalist. I like to "rough it." But a family with three kids on their first outing might want to make sure they have some creature comforts. They'll have to learn not to take everything but the kitchen sink with them. That comes in time.

I’d definitely give it a test run at a local state park. I’d also warn you that you will pack an ungodly amount of shit to camp for a night or two. It’s insane.

 

[Eppy99]

Tents suck.
Put the kids in a tent and get a camper.
Pickup with a topper you drive out from under:

Plus, you can hide inside while bears eat your stuff.

Given I don’t have a truck...is it worth renting a camper from one of those places? Seems like the money spent to rent one would purchase most all the equipment needed for many trips. I understand your point though.

 

[kkott]

Given I don’t have a truck...is it worth renting a camper from one of those places? Seems like the money spent to rent one would purchase most all the equipment needed for many trips. I understand your point though.

I think he was just joking a bit, but as you can see, camping's not for everyone. You obviously have an interest, so don't listen to these shmoes, listen to this schmoe: give it a try! Figure out what you're comfortable with buying vs renting or borrowing and give it a try... but be sensitive to the fact that some of your family members, including you, might not like it and don't try and pound a square peg in a round hole. Like I said, I like it, the kids liked it, but not the ex, so we made a few trips without her and everyone was happy and I still take them occassionally... although that's slowing with college. Even within camping, there are degrees. I don't want to do backpack camping, but I also hate the car camping campgrounds where redneck Walmart shoppers pull up and unload all their walmart gear with their kids and run amok for the weekend. My favorite campground for tent camping, is a small campground on the New River in NC. It has a small parking lot, so you have to either canoe in with your gear or park in the lot and schlep your gear to the campsite about 200 yards using wheelbarrows they keep at the bathhouse. There are only about 20 sites so it's quiet and serene, gorgeous right on the river, cooler in the mountains and with that little bit of extra work having to pack your shit in, it keeps out 99% of the walmart redneck riffraff (literally I've seen people leave when they realized they had to pack their supplies in). It probably takes me an extra 15 minutes to schlep in my gear each way, but it makes for an infinitely more enjoyable stay to me. But others would be bored senseless.

You might check around too, there are some places that rent or even supply camping gear with a deposit... colleges, community colleges, maybe some city parks and rec depts.. possibly even REI. My advice is just plan it: meals, clothing, etc.... and try not to overpack. Take: lantern and flashlights, especially headlamps for everyone, raingear, sleeping pads, water jugs, music, liquor, book, bugspray, smore supplies or some treat, good firewood, campchairs, slip on campshoes, towels, simple easy to prepare meals (freeze beefstew, marinated chicken or steaks, PB, oatmeal, trailmix, fruit), trashbags. I'd go light on recreational stuff, it usually doesn't get used much. Maybe a football or frisbee, cards are good or Farkle or yahtzee. Everything you take, you have to carry to the campsite, and much of it back again, so the lighter the better and less work. Good luck and let us know how it goes.... Sucker!

 

[All4You]

Given I don’t have a truck...is it worth renting a camper from one of those places? Seems like the money spent to rent one would purchase most all the equipment needed for many trips. I understand your point though.

You can split the difference and rent a cabin at a state park (covid19 notwithstanding). All the activities of camping without the aches and pains and heat of sleeping on the ground. Kind of the best of both worlds.

 

[iubud]

Bingo - my sole camping experience with my wife went like this - worked all day, loaded up the truck and cooler and got to the campground around 6:30 - set up the tent by myself while my wife watched our son, put all the equipment in the tent, set up and started a campfire, then set up some chairs for us around the fire. I turned on some music, sat down with my son in my lap, popped open a cold beer and within minutes she's asking me "so is this all we're going to do?" If I was a smart man, I would have pulled up the tent stakes and headed home immediately; it was only going to go downhill from there.

Fast forward 20 something years - my wife tells me she thinks we need an RV to go camping in. I thought she was joking. After determining she was serious, I started figuring in my head how much it would cost - the RV cost, license, insurance, camping gear - and half of all our assets in the divorce that was sure to follow. I told her I think I'll pass on the RV.

My wife's first camping trip was her last. A few friends wanted to go camping together. I drove up to my parents' house and loaded up the tent, cots, Coleman stove and lanterns.

We (me, my wife and 2 year old son) met everyone and were having a good first evening camping. Everyone put their kids to bed and the adults were enjoying the fire and adult beverages. My son started coughing and one of our friends said he sounded "croopy". She was a nurse so we followed her advice to take him to the ER. Our friends said they would watch our stuff.

Arriving at the ER after my wife drove my truck for the first time and smelling like smoke and a husband that smelled like beer and smoke was not much fun for her. My son was admitted at 3 a.m. and we slept in chairs.

Our friends did watch our stuff. They dumped it on our front porch and my son spent 2 days in the hospital. I could never get her to go camping again. My camping is limited to trips with my high school friends to Patoka Lake with daytime on the pontoon boat and evening trips to the casino.

 

[kkott]

My wife's first camping trip was her last. A few friends wanted to go camping together. I drove up to my parents' house and loaded up the tent, cots, Coleman stove and lanterns.

We (me, my wife and 2 year old son) met everyone and were having a good first evening camping. Everyone put their kids to bed and the adults were enjoying the fire and adult beverages. My son started coughing and one of our friends said he sounded "croopy". She was a nurse so we followed her advice to take him to the ER. Our friends said they would watch our stuff.

Arriving at the ER after my wife drove my truck for the first time and smelling like smoke and a husband that smelled like beer and smoke was not much fun for her. My son was admitted at 3 a.m. and we slept in chairs.

Our friends did watch our stuff. They dumped it on our front porch and my son spent 2 days in the hospital. I could never get her to go camping again. My camping is limited to trips with my high school friends to Patoka Lake with daytime on the pontoon boat and evening trips to the casino.

We went once with some friends and all our kids and it rained non-stop. After the first night and next day of sitting in our tents, we took the kids to a hotel with a pool in Boone NC and had a good time. Wives took off from there with kids while the other husband and I went back to our campsite to break it down. Somewhere in there I noticed I was missing my keys. found them rewalking my routes near the bathhouse. Shitty weekend of camping, so check the weather!

 

[iubud]

We went once with some friends and all our kids and it rained non-stop. After the first night and next day of sitting in our tents, we took the kids to a hotel with a pool in Boone NC and had a good time. Wives took off from there with kids while the other husband and I went back to our campsite to break it down. Somewhere in there I noticed I was missing my keys. found them rewalking my routes near the bathhouse. Shitty weekend of camping, so check the weather!

We used to take canoe trips in college. You would rent canoes and they would take you upstream; You packed food, tents, beer, and sleeping bags in the canoe and set up camp along the river at a designated spot.

One time we woke up hung over with a 40 degree rain and 10+ miles to go. As miserable as it was, I would do it again.

 

[Eppy99]

Ok, made the investment last night. Bought the tent, couple sleeping bags for the wife and I (kids already had em), sleeping pads, lanterns and headlights. Priced items out and ended up going through Amazon to buy everything. Kids are excited, we’ll try this out in the backyard first. Our total investment so far is about $500. If they don’t like the experience I won’t be happy about the money but it could be worse. Biggest decision was whether to go with 2 smaller tents as some of you suggested on here or a larger cabin style tent. I’n the end my girls wanted to be with us so I got a large 9 person tent to fit our gear and the dog(s).
I’ll let you guys know how it goes.

 

[Eppy99]

Ok, made the investment last night. Bought the tent, couple sleeping bags for the wife and I (kids already had em), sleeping pads, lanterns and headlights. Priced items out and ended up going through Amazon to buy everything. Kids are excited, we’ll try this out in the backyard first. Our total investment so far is about $500. If they don’t like the experience I won’t be happy about the money but it could be worse. Biggest decision was whether to go with 2 smaller tents as some of you suggested on here or a larger cabin style tent. I’n the end my girls wanted to be with us so I got a large 9 person tent to fit our gear and the dog(s).
I’ll let you guys know how it goes.

CORE 9 Person Instant Cabin Tent - 14' x 9' https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VFH1RQS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_MCTREbAZR698E

 

[Eppy99]

Ok, so if everyone digs the back yard camping throw me a few ideas of places to go for our first true camping trip. Prefer not to far (couple 2-3 hours) from Indy. Given my wife is still hesitant to be around large crowds maybe even a place that could be less crowded?

TIA

 

[sglowrider]

Ok, so if everyone digs the back yard camping throw me a few ideas of places to go for our first true camping trip. Prefer not to far (couple 2-3 hours) from Indy. Given my wife is still hesitant to be around large crowds maybe even a place that could be less crowded?

TIA

Some compromise ideas....

If you want a crowd, that's also possible to arrange.

 

[bshields]

Ok, so if everyone digs the back yard camping throw me a few ideas of places to go for our first true camping trip. Prefer not to far (couple 2-3 hours) from Indy. Given my wife is still hesitant to be around large crowds maybe even a place that could be less crowded?

TIA

Turkey Run

 

[MyTeamIsOnTheFloor]

Ok, so if everyone digs the back yard camping throw me a few ideas of places to go for our first true camping trip. Prefer not to far (couple 2-3 hours) from Indy. Given my wife is still hesitant to be around large crowds maybe even a place that could be less crowded?

TIA

Lincoln State Park
Lincoln City, Spencer County, Indiana

 

[kkott]

We used to take canoe trips in college. You would rent canoes and they would take you upstream; You packed food, tents, beer, and sleeping bags in the canoe and set up camp along the river at a designated spot.

One time we woke up hung over with a 40 degree rain and 10+ miles to go. As miserable as it was, I would do it again.

Canoe camping is one of my favorites because a good canoe can haul a large amount of gear. I have some good trips down here in NC and TN if anyone ever plans to travel. I would think Sugar Creek, Whitewater River and the Blue River or maybe even Driftwood River all might be possibilities for canoe camping trips. Honestly might be tough for a large family though. Camping can be enough of a stressor, but being in a cramped canoe can really test relationships if it's not a good friend. I think that's a better one for a small # and/or good friends.

 

[hookyIU1990]

I don't think you'll have much luck finding camping opportunities at state run sites that won't be crowded. Not sure how it will be when the restrictions are lifted on Memorial Day weekend, but campgrounds and facilities are closed now at state parks due to the virus. Places like Turkey Run, Brown County and the other state park campgrounds are usually pretty crowded anyway. I can't imagine it being much less crowded this summer after being cooped up for 3 months.
https://www.in.gov/dnr/10342.htm

 

[SqueakyClean]

I skimmed this thread, and one thing I don't think I saw was a note about sleeping bag (and alas, you seem to have already bought your gear, so hopefully this isn't an issue): they are rated for certain temperatures. It is usually advisable to have a "winter" set and a "summer" set. The summer set is used June through September and is usually rated at about 50 degrees. The winter set is usually for all camping the rest of the year. Nights in the Midwest, even in the late spring and early fall times, can get down to 40-50 degrees easily. And bear in mind that when a sleeping bag is "rated" for 20 degrees, that means that if it is 20 degrees out, you wont die, but it will be the coldest most miserable night you've ever experienced. If you are going to be out camping in 30 to 40 degree lows, you are going to be uncomfortable in anything over a 10-15 degree bag.
Also, if you are ever going camping in the semi-cold, two pieces of advice: 1) Never wear any clothes that you were wearing throughout the day in the bag. Those clothes will have soaked up all your sweat throughout the day and will cool you down during the night. 2) It seems counterintuitive, but you are better off being nearly naked in the bag versus wearing lots of clothes. Cold temp bags are designed to reflect and store your body heat, so while the first few minutes might be annoying / cold, your overall experience will be better with less clothes (both with and without sexual innuendo jokes inserted here).

 

[Cortez88]

And don’t be a hero. Bring a duralog. You will want to have your fire up and running. Not waiting an hour to get some coals going.

 

[iubud]

Canoe camping is one of my favorites because a good canoe can haul a large amount of gear. I have some good trips down here in NC and TN if anyone ever plans to travel. I would think Sugar Creek, Whitewater River and the Blue River or maybe even Driftwood River all might be possibilities for canoe camping trips. Honestly might be tough for a large family though. Camping can be enough of a stressor, but being in a cramped canoe can really test relationships if it's not a good friend. I think that's a better one for a small # and/or good friends.

We went a couple of times on the Blue River in Southern Indiana and Turkey Run. My dad in the 70's went in canoes down the Wabash from Vincennes to New Harmony. My mom and the other families picked them up on the 4th of July. They looked rough after paddling all day and through the night. I always wanted to do that.

There is a group recreates George Rogers Clark's last 15 miles to Fort Sackville. I always thought it would be cool to start back in Illinois and include a primitive camp and crossing the river as well.

 

[kkott]

We went a couple of times on the Blue River in Southern Indiana and Turkey Run. My dad in the 70's went in canoes down the Wabash from Vincennes to New Harmony. My mom and the other families picked them up on the 4th of July. They looked rough after paddling all day and through the night. I always wanted to do that.

There is a group recreates George Rogers Clark's last 15 miles to Fort Sackville. I always thought it would be cool to start back in Illinois and include a primitive camp and crossing the river as well.

Best trip I've done and one I highly recommend for a "roughing it" trip is the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River. You can put in at Leatherwood Ford in TN and paddle to the Blue Heron Mine take out in KY. It's a National Recreation Area and feels about as remote as you can get in the Eastern US, short of Maine or the UP. There are a couple Class 4-5s you have to portage, but they are short portages. In a 3 day 2 night trip, we saw maybe 6-8 other people on the river and none on land, except for at 1 landing you pass. Lots of great scenery through gorges and large boulders. A buddy drove down from Indy. I think it's about 5 hours maybe? Right on the TN/KY line, before you get to Knoxville.

 

[kkott]

And don’t be a hero. Bring a duralog. You will want to have your fire up and running. Not waiting an hour to get some coals going.

That's great advice. You can also buy fatwood firestarters that have worked really well for me in the past and don't take up as much room as a duralog, but will get your fire started. Should be natural too, vs duraflame logs. Plus, you'll look like more of a hero to the kids and it won't look like you're cheating with a duralog!

 

[Eppy99]

First night of backyard camping is upon us! Temperature will drop to about 43, expecting rain around 8:00am. Hopefully kids will wake earlier so we can pull out tent up before the nasty weather hits.

Kids are super excited. It’s a good night my friends. Fire pit is burning, the lady and I have full glasses of port to sip on. May all your evenings be as blessed.