What is the difference between "tent only" and "standard" camping sites?

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Mysteryous

I am a single mother of 2 and would like to take my kids "car camping" for a few days. I have never gone on my own before and I have never been responsible for booking campsites for group trips I've gone on in the past.

In trying to make camp site reservations, I noticed on the park map on Reserve America for the park I want to go to that there are "tent only" and "standard" campsites side by side sometimes. The "tent only" sites seem to still be close to the road so it doesn't look like a hike-in type of detail and it says there is a driveway.

If someone could clarify the difference, so I understand the kind of site I should reserve, I would greatly appreciate it!

Thank you!

Answer
Tent only is usually just a very short walk or right next to a parking area to small for rvs. Sometimes that short walk can be quite a ways more than a 100 yards or so. These sites are low cost or free as some are also considered a "hike in" meaning that it could be more than a mile to the site. They often don't need reservations either.

Standard sites are generally car camping sites where you park your car or RV right next to or on the site. Sometimes these may also have electric, water and sewer hook ups for RVs, when they do expect to pay even more. These are also the most popular and will often require reservations and get booked early by as much as six months in advance.

If you are a newcomer to camping and don't have an RV, I would recommend a standard site or one with the upgraded features to have direct access to water and power. This gives you the ability to have it all right where you are and not make that long run to the car for things you store in it. As well as bringing all the possible comforts of home.

Be sure to use a checklist for what to bring so you don't forget anything. Here is a good one,
http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/family-camping-checklist.html

What do you advise for a good four person tent?

bruar02

I don't want anything too heavy or bulky, our apartment is small. We have a two person tent, sierra designs lightning. It's too small for two adults, two smaller dogs and our stuff. I was looking at the mutha hubba 3 person tent, it seems nice but I don't want to outgrow it (what if we have kids) so now I'm thinking about a four person tent.

Answer
Depends on how much you want to spend. You have already mentioned two high priced tents of which are really no better the the colman brands or eureka and kelty brands. All three of these tent makers make quality family size tents that fold up into nice convenient size packages. Of these I recommend the Colman sundome series these are nice three season tents that come with a stay dry guarantee that the other three tent makers don't have. And the prices are a third of those high end tents you mentioned.

http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=2000001976&categoryid=11020&brand=

In the high end category where price is no object I recommend the REI base camp 6 it is a really strong three season maybe four season, pending on where your camping, multi pole and full rain fly tent. Room enough to stand up in, yet an aero dynamic design for windy weather. Its highly rated for multi use and great for base camps.

http://www.rei.com/product/777755

Now for the Taj Mahaul of family size tents where room is of the utmost importance and yet the price is still affordable I go back to Colman tents. I prefer the WeatherMaster 10 its their biggest tent and again the stay dry guarantee.

http://www.coleman.com/coleman/ColemanCom/detail.asp?CategoryID=11020&product_id=2000001598

Bottom line you can spend a lot and get just as much if not more for a lot less. so shop around

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How many people fit in a 10x10 tent?

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<3

My boss let me borrow a 10x10 tent for my camping trip this weekend. I have no idea how big/tall it is. I was just wondering how many people will fit in it with a full size blow up bed.

Answer
Tents are advertised as two man, four man, six man and so on. However, at best this is the maximum number of persons you can cram into the tent for sleeping in close company with no personal gear. This rating method might make sense for backpackers who are traveling light, but it is terrible for all others.

Why be cramped? Divide the advertised rating by two, and you will have the real capacity of the tent. Therefore, most four man tents are really only comfortable for two adults, or perhaps two adults and two very small children.

You should plan a minimum of 30 square feet of floor space per person. Make this even higher for longer camping trips, unless reducing weight is important.

Actual length and width are also very important. If you are six feet tall, you will need a space of at least seven feet in order to stretch out and not be crammed against the tent sides. You will need at least two and one half feet in width just for sleeping. This equals only 17.5 square feet. A "two man" tent might be advertised which measures five by seven feet.

Adding space for clothing, and a space to stand up without walking on your tentmate, will result in a more livable situation. Think more like eight by eight feet as a basic two man family camping tent. This gives you 32 square feet per person. Still not overly generous.

A ten by ten foot tent is ideal for two adults. You will have enough space for cots or a double air mattress, plus space to stand up when changing clothes.

Kids can fit comfortably in smaller tents. Once they are old enough, about seven or eight, they will probably want to sleep in a separate tent anyway. Parents will appreciate the privacy provided by this arrangement too. A five by seven foot tent is adequate for young kind. Teenagers should be considered as adults when fitting a tent.

Be cautious about tents that are larger than ten by ten. You will find three problems. First, it will be much more difficult to find a smooth and level spot large enough to set up the tent on. You need a spot as level as possible. Second, big tents can get heavy. This is not a problem for your car, but think about how much work it might be for you in loading and unloading the car. Finally, do you really want everyone to sleep, and dress, in the same tent. Privacy becomes an issue with the bigger tents.

The peak inside height is very important to you comfort. For most trips, try to have a tent that is tall enough to stand in. Plan for the taller persons in your group. A six or seven foot peak height is necessary for adults, and a four foot peak is about right for kids. Remember, the tent slopes downward at a sharp angle, so the actual spot where you can stand up will be small. Larger spaces will be provided in tents with taller peaks.

What are the best RV campgrounds in Central Florida to bring small children to?

Beachy Kee

My husband and I recently got an RV and have been taking our 2 small boys camping for about the past year. What are the best campgrounds that are the most kid friendly. We have 1 year old and 3 year old boys.

Answer
If I could I would stay at the Disney Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground. You can stay there and enjoy all the ammenities of a Disney resort without even having to pay to go to the parks. There is a pool, horseback riding, tennis, archery, crusing on the Disney lakes, petting zoo, playgrounds and so much more. Be sure to click the link on the sources section, for much more detailed info from www.allears.net.

Here's a little more info:
There are 788 conventional campsites at FW located in 20 loops (100 through 2000). Most sites are fairly secluded from one another by a generous growth of brush and trees between sites. All campsites are back-ins and are a combination of paved driveway, which range in length from 25 to 60 feet, and sandy pad. Each site is approximately 25 feet wide and comes with a picnic table and charcoal grill. All sites have electricity (20/30/50 amps) and city water. There are 695 full hookup sites that also provide sewer. The 90 partial hookup sites, primarily used by tent campers and those with tent trailers, are located on loops 1500 and 2000.

It used to be that you couldn't have a campfire at the sites, because they worried about people letting them get out of control etc. But! this policy changed.

You can bring in your own contained campfire unit. Typically, stores call them firepits or outdoor fireplaces. It's a solid metal bottom on short legs with metal mesh sides and a top. A mesh top is okay at all campsites EXCEPT any of those that are creekside. If you have a creekside spot, you must have a solid metal top for your firepit. This is to better prevent embers from spreading to the greater amount trees and foliage (and wildlife) that are around the creeks. For example, the creek/dog walk along Loop 300 has a large wooded area with deer, eagles, armadillos and more making their home there.

Of course, Fort Wilderness also has the Campfire Program where you can enjoy campfires as well as everything offered at this special program.

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