Questions from a first time Texas camper - Wild Texas Forums: Parks, Travel & Recreation

05-22-2006, 03:22 PM

Hello everybody. I have enjoyed reading this board for lots of information. My family (hubby and 2 sons) has decided to plan and take our first camping trip. We are TOTALLY NEW at this and are a little bit overwhelmed. We live in Ft. Worth and would like to keep our drive under 5-6 hours. We are planning on car camping (not sure we are ready to put up a tent yet). Can any of you experienced campers provide the names of good places to camp for beginners. We would like to hike, swim, rest and relax. A play area for our kids (5 years and 6 years of age) would be nice, but not mandatory.

Also, when I am making a reservation what category/type of campsite am I looking for? All of the terminology (water/elec/hookups/walk-in,drive-in) has me in a fog right now. Thanks in advance for your help.

Newbie Camper

happybooker1 · 05-23-2006, 08:44 AM

What type of site depends on what you've got. Me -- I always get a site with water/elec. You need to bring an extension cord -- I got the outdoor type 50' long. If you don't have anything that NEEDS elec. (hotplate, fan, inflatable mattress, etc.) you might not need it though. But DO get water. A short (15') water hose is helpful -- then you don't have to use the water right at the faucet. If you have a Big Lots they carry them.

If you will have dishes to wash, esp. pots/pans, bring a small dishtub or bucket. I get a LOT of my supplies from the Dollar Store..... Try to find biodegradable soap. Walmart carries it in the camping section. OR I have used ecologically friendly shampoo -- sometimes a LOT cheaper for a bottle. Read on it & be sure it's biodegradable also.

Do you already have your tent? Unless it's a HUGE 2-3 room tent, lots of families get two smaller tents -- one for kids & one for parents. You can set them up with doors facing each other close together to hear the kids easily.

I have a queen size inflatable mattress that we just put a sheet on & throw a comforter over. If you have sleeping bags, be SURE you have a sleeping pad or something else to 'cushion' the ground!

BE SURE you have a small first-aid kit. I got a small sealable box & filled it with travel size ointments, bandages, etc. Put in a few sanitary napkins - they are EXCELLENT for pressure bandages for lots of bleeding! Hopefully you will never have to even open this up. DON'T FORGET THE BUG SPRAY!!!! Or the Texas mosquitos will carry you off!!

Ummm, that's all I can think of at the moment. Someone else can tell you the good campsites. Me, I'd go to Dinosaur State Park. I have a picture of me at 4 years old back in the 50's sitting in one of the footprints!

Turn Key · 05-23-2006, 10:08 AM

"happybooker1" covered it pretty well. One thing I would definately add is sunscreen. Can't think of much worse then a sunburn.

I would highly recommend any of the State Parks in this area including Mineral Wells State Park (Post Oak Area is very nice if all you need a "water only" site. Anywhere else for "Power & Water".), Cleburne State Park (Very nice. We call it our "Home" park), Dinosaur State Park as mentioned. Kiddos will love playing in the river. Safe, lots of fun and they get to walk in the dinosaur tracks. Another great park is Lake Ray Roberts, Isle de Bous Unit. I do not recommend Cedar Hill State Park on Joe Pool Lake. Very nice park but just a bit too close to south Dallas for my blood. Here's a site that should give you a good bit of info on Texas State Parks:

Texas State Parks Information

Another very nice place is McCown Valley Park on Whitney Lake. This is a Corps of Engineers park (refered to as a "Corps" park) with some great camping options. Clean and very pretty with a nice beach (if the lake isn't too low due to our on-going drought). Here's a site that will give you a bit more info:

McCown Valley Park

One other option you might want to look at is renting one of the screen houses in any of the parks mentioned. Costs a bit more but you have good shelter that you don't have to learn to set up on your first trip or two. Screen houses come with water, power (with at least one light and outlet), fire/BBQ ring and a picnic table. A very good way to get started. All the parks mentioned above have these available for rent. When you do get your first tent (or two), BE SURE TO PRACTICE PUTTING IT UP AT HOME!!! Not much worse then having to figure out where pole "A" fits into hole "Q" when you'd rather be doing other things. Worse yet, finding out at the park, that the tent you purchased is short a couple of pieces

!

You haven't said when your going. I highly recommend reservations no matter where you go. Often not needed during the week but getting into any park on the weekend with out reservations would just be a fluke in any other time then winter.

As you say your new to camping, let me give you a bit of advice. Take it slow and don't plan too much for your first trip or two. Just camping in a great park is often enough and you will have a lot to work out and learn. Let the kiddos run as much as you can. Let them explore and you help them. You'll enjoy it more then you'll ever imagine.

I could go on for hours but I'm sure you have better things to do then read my ramblings. If you have any more specific questions about camping or any of the parks mentioned, feel free to ask. One of us will be glad to help. Also, please register. Not necessary but we like to know who we're typing at

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Hope you have a great time no matter where you end up and, as always,

Happy Camping!

4everfrio · 05-23-2006, 12:35 PM

Welcome. It's good to see a family wanting to go camping!
Inks Lake is a nice spot to camp with kiddos. You might want to get one of the cabins. The new ones have A/C, which is always nice. They are also centrally located in the park. The playgrounds are just across the road and the park store isn't that far away.
On buying a tent, if the ad says 2man tent , it will sleep one comfortablely.
6man will sleep 4 people with room for clothes and anything else. Purchase a tent with ample room. Before you know it, the kids will bringing along friends and the extra room will come in handy.
When you need to buy other gear, hit the garage and yard sales. One can buy stoves and lanterns for a fraction of the cost of a new one. Plus, they hardly ever wear out. Mantles are the main item to go wrong with lanterns. They are easily replaced.
Buy a tarp to go under the tent. It will help the floor last longer. Also, buy one ( 10 x 12 ) to go over the table in camp. Summer showers and morning dew can get alot of gear wet. Buy some nylon rope or parachute cord. Both are very strong and will hold a tarp very well. The rope can also be used for a clothes line.
This should help some. I hope that it will lead to many happy days outside. Good luck and happy camping!!

Turn Key · 05-23-2006, 08:43 PM

I thought about suggesting Inks Lake State Park. It is one of the best parks in the system. But it is also 4-4 1/2 drive from Ft. Worth. Think it might be a bit easier to "break into" camping a bit closer to home. Once you have your feet wet, Inks would surely be on a list of parks to try. Great place and the kiddos will love it.

Also, I guess I've been away from "tent" camping too long. Those suggested items that "4everfrio" brought up are sure winners.

Just my 2-cents. Happy Camping!