Getting to the campground was pretty easy but the hard part is deciding where to set up! There’s so many good spots to camp! There are places for trailers and tents, in the forest or out in the open. We usually set up in the open near the river, but some of the sites in the forest are really nice. Most sites are accessible by car, so you don’t need a 4×4 to get a good spot!
If there isn’t a fire ban, a campfire is the next step. Sometimes you need to clean out the fire pit from the last time it was used, so packing a shovel is always a good idea. Got the pit cleaned out and the rocks all back into position now we need some wood. Finding wood usually isn’t too hard, a quick walk through the forest and you can usually find enough to get going.
If there is a fire ban there will be signs on the way into the campground, but you might not be completely out of luck. Propane fire pits are permitted during a fire ban, but be warned, they can go through propane pretty quick!
OK, camp is set up, fire going, what’s next? Food! This is bear country so you will want to take some precautions, like keeping your campsite clean and not bringing food into your tent. Bear spray is also a good idea too. Food is best kept in your vehicle (or trailer) so critters don’t get in to it. Nothing ruins an appetite faster than finding something has already nibbled on your food!
It’s also a good idea to keep your area tidy, it makes packing up faster. There’s a garbage dumpster for garbage so there’s no need to pack it out with you. Sometimes the last campers left some garbage behind, so a quick walk around to do a bit of a cleanup doesn’t hurt.
Once you’re done for the night, it’s always a good idea to make sure your fire is out and cold. Usually a few trips to the river with a small pail or pot for water is enough to make sure the fire is out. And that shovel you used to clean out the fire pit? Yea, use that to dig around and get all the hot spots wet and cooled off.
Other things to consider is the weather. Check the weather before you come out and be prepared. Nothing worse than camping when you’re cold and wet! Bring tarps and umbrellas if it might rain. If it’s going to be sunny out, bring lots of sunscreen and a big beach umbrella is also good to have (really nice to have in case of rain too!). Sitting next to the river you can get a sunburn pretty quick!
So there you have it, not much to it! Happy camping!