Cajun Camper

I am trying to talk my wife into going to Inks Lake on the weekend of 9/23. No soccer game for our 5 y/o son that weekend. If so, we'd tent camp and be looking for a campsite near water and convenient to activities for a 5 year-old.

I've read a few reviews here about Inks, and they have helped a lot. I was hoping to get a few pros and cons about a few questions I have.

1- I am thinking that camping as near the water as possible would be a great idea. Easy access, nice view, frequent dips in the water.

--- Any cons to this? Bugs, snakes, high traffic, etc?

2- It seems being close to Devil's Waterhole would save a lot of walking if this is a place our 5 y/o would spend a lot of time swimming. Is it best to have a site near this place to shorten the walk, or is this place better for swimming, but not a great place to camp near?

3- We like people, we love people, but I don't particularly like to camp in what feels like a parking lot, right beside people. I like to be in shouting distance for safety, and still feel privacy. Is this possible here, and where?

4- Open ended question. Mom, Dad, 5 year-old son. Plans to swim, maybe fish a bit, rent a canoe, nature hike. We'll be in a tent. Is there a place on the park map you'd put us that you know would be great?

PS: I am sure this park is very nice and we probably can't go wrong anywhere. I'll be sure to post upon our return and this post is just to ask for advice from someone who's been there and can offer information to make this trip great.

Thanks!

Jamie

happybooker1

Major question here: do you want a water/elec. site or no hookups at all? Some people tent-camp with an electric cord -- I was one of them!!

For a 5-YO I'd not think Devil's Waterhole was the best place. It's more for older swimmers although you CAN wade in there -- it gets deep pretty fast. Better places -- & close to Devils' Waterhole -- are the sites we just stayed in/by: #257 is what we'll try to get next time, but #255/256 aren't bad (but too close together) but you can wade right in there. Water's only about 15"-18" deep right off the campsite. Close to bathrooms too. My son & the neighbor's kids could wade in & float & we could watch them from the front of our pop-up.

Lots of campsites right on the path to Devil's Waterhole -- I *think* that's where a lot ot tent-campers go. But it's not on the water by any means. Let us know what you want (primitive camping or some hookups) & it'll be easier to look at the map & see what'd be best.

Cajun Camper

That's a bit of a tough question for me. I would have to say I would like water and electricity, but not if that puts me in more of a parking lot and less of a camping spot.

I know water and electricity are mainly for people driving in campers. At the same time, sometimes it is a pain in the butt to haul all of your gear way up into a walk-in campsite.

So, I guess what I'd like is a site near the water, that puts us near some type of activity (I guess there are lots of places on the water, might as well be near something to do, too). Scenic location and comfortable space away from neighbors is top priority, water and electricity second.

How about this: If you had the whole park to yourself for one day, in a tent, and you wanted a camping "feel" over function, where would you like to be?

Thanks!

Jamie

Motorman355

Hate to pop your bubble Cajun Camper, but if you are looking for breathing space, you might want to look into another weekend. :mad: I checked ReserveAmerica for the weekend of 9/23 and everything was booked except for primitive camping. Sorry.

My last stay at the park was in a ’62 Airstream at site 255. Happybooker1 is correct that the site is right up against 256. But since the park was slow, we were able to use the picnic area in 256 since it was more convenient to the Airstream. 256 had great water access for our canoe and was prime sunset viewing.

Motorman355

srds

Most of the camp sites with electricity are pretty close together in the park.There are some spots in the water only sites that have some space,but you'll have to see whats available when you get there.We have small children and one of my favorite spots is #43 right on the water,good swimming,at the end of the loop,close to bathrooms,and playground,close to park store.When we tent camp with no electricity#346 it has alot of room, we had 5 large tents up one time, good place to swim but a bit of a paddle to Devil's Waterhole.Check out whats available when you get there and hope you get lucky.
good luck
srds

Cajun Camper

Wow! I couldn't imagine a park filling up except for maybe the busiest weekend of the year, and certainly not 2 weeks before.

Amazing. Must be some park! I was thinking maybe these parks get 60% capacity on average and you can wait at least up until 3 days or so before to book.

Interesting.

Thanks!

campermom

Inks get packed alright. In the water'electric sites, they seem closer together. Some are on the water, great for the kiddo, and some off the water, great for a little more privacy. The tent only W/E sites which are right by the trailhead for devil;s waterhole are usually taken, although I don't know who would want to be camping in Grand Central Station.

We've stayed in the water only on the other end of the park. We had 315 ( I think), There were rock formations dividing the sites which gave loads of privacy. The site had waterfront, but there were stumps and reed beds, maybe not the best swimming for a kid. Just be sure when its time to shower, use the shower nearest the BBQ stand, it's the newest one, right by the playground and park store. The swim beach is nice, a gently sloping base, gets should deep about 50 feet out with no underwater obstacles. There are some picnic tables there at the beach but get taken early by day use folks. Devils Waterhole is very nice. The water gets deep fast. If your son can swim, or has a lifejacket on, this area is nice for everyone. My son likes to scramble up on the rocks and investigate the cave ( its really just a small crevace).

Hope you can get reservations, its a real nice park. The fish hatchery is interesting and free, longhorn cavern more interesting, not free.

Cajun Camper

First,
Thank you all for the help. It is really appreciated.

Second: Wow! I am excited, but can't believe these parks book up like this.

Reservations:

9-23-2006 we reserved a spot a Lake Mineral Wells for 2 nights. It's about 2.5 hours from us.

Inks Lake:
10-6-2006 we have a spot near Devils Waterhole.
10-7-2006 all booked up, we grabbed a primitive spot
10-8-2006 we have a spot near Devil's Waterhole

Any advice about the primitive site will be appreciated.

Thanks again!

Jamie

Turn Key

Hi Jamie,

Have camped at Mineral Wells many times. I'm betting you'll like it. Nice camp sites with lots of shade. Great park! Lake will be low and I would not suggest swimming there until it recovers.

Not surprised you had trouble getting into Inks. Very popular any time and stays full on the weekends spring, summer and fall. Things slow down on Sunday afternoons and if your going to be there long enough, you should be able to get a better site then.

From what you've said, they have got you in Pecan Flats Trail Camp. Really is a nice area with a lot of trees and shade. Sites can be very private. It is an easy hike-in and you are fairly close to the lake but not to a place where you'd want to swim. You'd need to drive into the main part of the park for that.

If you want an "on water" site for swimming and can get it Sunday, I'd suggest 86, 87, 88, 90 or 92. 43 thru 48 plus 279 thru 287 are all great "near" water sites with 48 and 287 being "on water". These are all "power & water" sites and I can't see you going wrong with any of them.

Lake is "constant level" so it should be full or near full. If your there and can, sign on for the Devil's Waterhole Tour. Kiddos will love it and get a chance to play in a canoe.

Hope you have a great time and let me know if I can be of any more help. Wish I was going with you !

Happy Camping!

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Cajun Camper

Thanks Turn Key!

I've since edited my post as I later found a screen showing specific dates and availability. It seems after I booked the primitive site, I discovered that Friday and Sunday had other spots- so I grabbed one on each of those days, with only Saturday still at a primitive site.

I guess my choices are to take my son on a 1.5 mile hike for a night to see wildlife, or try and grab a spot near the water for that night.

I am thinking maybe we do the primitive for one night to see animals.

Thanks again.
Jamie

Turn Key

Watch out for the deer! Darn things will about run you down:laugh: !

Happy Camping!

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Cajun Camper

Yes, I've seen the home videos where the dummy put deer scent on to get close to the buggers, only to have one attack him.

I'll take my chances with the deer, I'm just wondering about bear and other type creatures. I've spent all my life in the swamps and woods of South Louisiana before moving up here last year. I guess when you're out of your element you think all of these new and strange creatures are lurking about.

Should be fun.

riverrat

Doubt you'd see bear at Inks Lake...lots of deer and raccoons that will steal your bacon (and whatever else it can reach in an unbungeed igloo!) Have fun!

Cajun Camper

I am laughing at myself and the "bear" worries. Of the many times I've camped, both in the wild and campgrounds, I've never encountered bear.

But, watch a few beer commercials, or some YouTube home video about the "Camper and the Bear" and you start thinking, "oh -- that must be where the bear are." "There" being the next, new place you're about to camp.

Interesting our imaginations, expectations and fears when we embark upon a new journey.

Jamie

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and that's when I first saw the bear..."
Jimmy Buffett

If I ever see the hairy, scary bear, the Kodiak lookin' fella 'bout 19 feet tall with island size paws...please let him be a drinking bear and me God's own drunk and a fearless man!" -- Jamie