Unregistered

I am going camping with my family 2 children 16 and 11 I was wondering if anyone knows what the water levels look like. I also have questions about the dance. I have nort been here since my youngesr was 2. We have a spot in New Garner whats that like I have never stayed in that part. I grew up in Leakey so I know we will go see the town. Cant wait I am already so excited. Is there any one thing that is a must pack that everyone forgets. We leave August 2nd from Houston so ready for this. I need all the advice I can get.

Thanks,
Iwillgo2extreme

happybooker1

Went to Garner for supposed to be 4 nights at the first of June but son was having so much fun he begged for another night & we could get it!

New Garner is quieter & not as 'packed' as OG. Which may or may not suit you better. We ended up driving to OG most days as son liked the rope swing there better. However, we did walk over to the beach area at New Garner a couple of times. I found that place more to my liking but you know how we give in to our kids--LOL!

The Pavilion place was really starting to 'hop' about darkish on Friday night. We left on Sat. but I can only imagine it got busier. Lots of CW swingin' going on..... Burgers there are terrific!

Water level was fine when we went. Don't know how much rain they've gotten since June however. Someone told us the tubing was a little slow but we got around OK. Rented a paddle boat thingie at OG --we liked the silver metal ones (across the river) better than the plastic ones. $5 hour & tons of fun! My son (9) could operate one fine by himself.

Watch for the herds of little spotted deer They are cute!

Unregistered

I can not wait I want to start packing now. We leave August 2nd I have always stayed in Old Garner so we will see. I hope the water levels are going to be ok and it dont rain wile we are there. I am still trying to decide what to cook to eat wile we are there. Any ideas on easy cooking. Its been a wile since we have gone camping so I am so out of the loop.

Counting the days,
Connie

4everfrio

The river was running low this year. Have a good pair of water shoes for everyone. You will need them. We floated from Persimmon Hill to the Rock Beach and had to walk alot.( low water )
The dance is every night and there are more kids than one can count. The music isn't as loud as I remember it. IMO - the older people running it don't lke to jam. In years past, you could hear the music up river while you were floating. Not now.:confused:
If you have new garner, water and elec., live oak camping area is good as well as river crossing area. Before you set up, drive both areas and see what you like. You can always change your mind if the spots are available.
There is a nice streach of water at Rio Fio camping loop. If you go half way around the outer loop, you can park and walk to the water. There are rope swings , some little rapids and the water is deeper. ( from ankle to over your head deep). Of course the day use area in old garner is always full of people.
You can go below the dam, down river, and the water is really deep.
Take plenty of sunscreen. A sunburn on the first day makes the trip miserable. Have a fun and safe trip!!!

happybooker1

Now I remember. THAT'S where our site was "Rio Frio". Let me see -- it was #475. Right across from the bathrooms but in the inner loop not the outer.

If you were interesting in your kids walking down to the beach area, I would try sites 442, 444, 446,448, etc. You can enter the beach area by the overflow parking lot which is by #445 (I think!). It's just a short walk down. Or across the street on sites 500,502,504, etc. If you look at the TPWD map of Garner you'll see the sites & where I'm talking about.

Personally I LIKED NG. Much quieter. My son would probably have rather stayed in OG so next time we'll try there.

iwillgo2extreme

Thanks for all the helpful information. I have ran into another problem. There is a fire ban right now how will that effect us? With the low water and a fire ban I wonder if we will still have a good time. My daughter is upset because she wants smores over the fire. What would you do?

4everfrio

Before you leave, Call the park to see if the ban is still in place. The county might lift the ban if enough rain comes.
Don't let the low water get you down. The Garner spirit will overwhelm all of you and you won't want to leave. I know ya'll will have a great time!!

happybooker1

Take a small grill (Wally World has several for under $20 or you might already have one) or one of those 'disposable' grills that are $7 and either some SMALL sticks of firewood and/or charcoal.

You can set it up on the picnic table & have S'mores to your heart's content. Although your 16-YO will probably want to hang around the Pavilion where all the 'action' is instead of making S'mores. I know when I had a 16-YO they would have!

[quote=iwillgo2extreme]Thanks for all the helpful information. I have ran into another problem. There is a fire ban right now

Unregistered

this message is for happybooker 1 - the pictures you posted of the Canopy Tour and of your son near a waterfall... would you please tell me where were these taken at , what park? I would really appreciate knowing... looks like a lot of fun for kids. Thanks.

CyberCelt

Lots of camping recipes on my site. Post about Garner dances on my blog.

River is extremely low and it is extremely hot in August. Take fans if you have electricity at site. You may want to look at this portable a/c that uses an ice chest:

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CyberCelt

USAer.com ~ RVing Texas
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agjwatson

So Garner lets you pick your own spot when you arrive?
My wife and I are going taking our 20 month old son the first week of October. We won't be doing much in the way of tubing because of him so the water level won't be a problem.

We went to Caddo Lake Memorial Day and rushed to get there so we could get a good spot and were dismayed when we were assigned a spot at the gate and drove by several empty spots we would have much rather had.
That said we had a great time, the fireflys and frogs were incredible at night down on the bayou.

happybooker1

Every SP I have been too let me pick a spot. When I go in the office I will tell them I want one: close to the restroom, shady (as much as possible), and 'near the swimming beach/playground/XYZ'. They have ALWAYS been very helpful, given me a choice of at least 3 spots, let me look at the map, and when I picked my spot, told me if I wanted to change to another vacant spot just come back & tell them which spot I took.

This is with a pop-up so I don't have to drive all over the park looking.... When I had a tent they usually just told me to drive through the park, get a list of 3-5 spots I would like, & come back & tell them & then we would reach an agreement.

Once I was assigned a spot at Inks & really wanted the spot one over. By the time I got back to the guardshack they were closed. BUT... they had the map posted on the door for late arrivals and the spot I rather wanted WAS listed as free. So I just went ahead and moved & dropped them a note in the late-arrival box telling them what I'd done. I checked back with them the next morning & they said that was fine, they'd got my note & took care of it.

iwillgo2extreme

I have a dumb question. Do the water levels ever get so low they advise you to stay out? :confused: And when do you think at what point will they let you know. I remember when I was a kid it got real low and everyone was asked to stay out of the water due to some sort of bacteria in the water. I sure would hate to get there on the 2nd of August and not get to swim and enjoy the water. I know the fire ban is still in effect so looks like no cook out for us but we can handle the camp stove thing. Looks like no rain anytime soon.

Still counting the days,
Connie

Unregistered

We spent 2 weeks at Garner before the good rains they had over the fourth of July. The river level was even lower then than it is now, and, if you are not counting on tubing down for miles....there is still PLENTY of water and tons of fun to be had. The kids can still jump off the ropes and the crazy teens still jump from the tops of the cypress trees. Lounging on tubes or noodles in front of rock beach is a great place to watch all that, and meet others...... Check out the free guided hikes given Mon - Thurs by Friends of Garner.....they meet 9 am at the pavilion. Check out to be sure they are still doing them. Also.....check at the visitors center (old headquarters) to reserve a seat on the hayride the FOG also provide five bucks each.....well worth it....Tues and Thurs are the sunset serenade, and cowboy poets, and Wed and Fri are more of a nature hayride. Good for adults and kids alike. The low water crossing downriver from the dam is a WONDERFUL place. you have to see it to believe it. Tubing down there takes a while, or you can go by car ........it is the next road East of the Garner entrance off 1050....right past Parkview Riverside and Magers...............Have fun!

Unregistered

Thanks for all the info I have priinted it up. Never was not awear of a hay ride sounds like a blast. I am so excited about this trip. I grew up in Leakey so it is like going home. I guess I should not worry so much about the water level and just relax a bit. I just want to be sure we have a great time. We do not plan on tubing. Where is this rope swing I know I saw one years ago when we were there but its been over 8 years so its truely hard to remember where it was. Thanks for the great info. I am so excited.

Counting the days,
Connie