Camping with a 2 y/o

[Yota]

Okay I want to take my wife and kid (he'll be almost 2 yrs old by then) Jeep camping this spring or, more likely, summer. Well it may be 4Runner camping, actually. Not enough room in teh heep for all the gear unless I get a rack.

The where to go thing is less important than a few other considerations:

First, I'm trying to figure out how to keep the little guy warm at night (and he is little for his age). I haven't seen much in the way of really really small sleeping bags and I'm not too sure he'd do well in one at this age - might freak him out. Or more likely, he'd get all twisted up in it. I haven't seen any bags for 2 y/o kids tho.

His pack-n-play fits in our tent along with our 2 cots (it's the REI 6-man dome tent) and gear (under the cots) but that won't keep him warm.

Second, I'm concerned about wildlife and such being attracted to food - especially mtn lions. What precautions do you take in this area? I know a lot of it depends on where I am but I'll take the precautions no matter where we are.

Third, where are some good places to car camp? I'm not looking for the most remote spot, just someplace nice that preferably allows fires (although I know that may change with restrictions).

Fourth, is it legal to burn deadfall in some places vs others? I'd plan on bringing my own firewood but I was curious about this.

[theirishavenger]

We took our daughter up to Sevenmile last summer when she was a year and a half or so. We basically made a cocoon for her between our two sleeping bags and covered her up with lots of blankets, both under her and on top. She did fine, although this was in July so of course it wasn't too cold.
As for food/wildlife security, I personally think I don't do enough in this area, but basically we hang up everything really high after dinner and we plant the tent around 100 ft. away from the fire/eating area. No food allowed in or near the tent, so if anything gets curious hopefully it's curiouser about the cooking area. Tough to keep stuff clean to where the odor of food doesn't stick to everything though.

[Brutus]

Not that I have kids or anything but, mountain lions aren't attracted to camp food... bears are but there really aren't that many bears around anymore. Just don't camp near any resident rollaway dumpsters and you should be fine. I always put my food inside the vehicle when done. Haven't had a problem yet.

[bsaunder]

car camping is easy -

for the food, lock it up in your car and don't bring any into your tent.

For the kid - we usually zip our bags together and put the kid in the middle. If thats not an option, get a bunting for the kid (fleece or other insulated thermal suit basically) and wrap them up in some blankets.
You could also get small bag and fold it on it self so the area in it is sized correctly to keep the kid warm - even with that I would still use a bunting as most kids toss and turn a bit when sleeping.
Since you are thinking about using the pack and play - get some wool blankets and put below the kid and then a blanket or two on top.

first trip out with the kid may seem a bit stressful in your planning, but once you get out there and get them situated, its rally no big deal. We've been backpacking with our kid since she was ~6mo.

[wacky]

I'll agree on taking pack and plays. My boy has been camping since 6mo. too. The pak-n-play makes life easier x a million....
blankets under the pack and play so the air doesn't get the bed cold.
blankets over kid + kid in a fleece suit = sleeping child + more beer drinking time for dad.

*thread hijack*
Does anyone make a down bag for kids anymore....all I can find is cheapo wal-mart crapola which sucks for warmth?

[signman2007]

No worries with the age, as a matter of fact its better in my opinion to start taking the kids as early as possible. Ive been taking my daughter camping since she was a month old. As far as your child being warm just get some of those hand and foot warmers that you shake and then just put them under the covers or in a sleeping bag (use several and spread them out) and when you guys get in believe me it will be warm and they will only get to normal body temp or just a tad over but will not burn you. Also you can get a fleece onesie for hinm. As far as wildlife no worries unless you guys go for a hike and its pretty remote then I would keep the child pretty close at all times. And most of all just relax and have a good time. Having a young child along changes a lot but it shouldn't take away from the reason you are there! Try going camping in a state park first to see if your son will adapt and that way there are other people around and restooms and then work your way into camping out in the woods. There are thousands of camping spots that are remote enough to give you the peace you are looking for but still close to civilization to feel safe. You should check out Rollinsville or Camp Dick/ Middle St. Vrain both very nice camping and not that far away!

Hope that helps

-james:thumbsup:

[Jeffro600]

for the food, lock it up in your car and don't bring any into your tent.



BAD idea if your in any areas that have bears...they will turn your car into swiss cheese if they get even the slightest hint theres food in there. I went camping with my dad and uncle last spring out in CA and we kept the ice chest in the cab of his brand new tundra...woke up in the morning to find a broken window, shredded front seat and dash and what remained of our ice chest. :eek:

Get a rope, swing it over a high tree branch and hoist your food up high off the ground. That way, they will at least have to REALLY work for it if they want it that bad and most likely wont even bother.

[Whitey]

Wife and I always took our 4 kids car camping & back packing. We too had a six man tent we got from Aspen Leaf. We'd put the baby in the zip together bags with us and the other kids would each carry their own blankets.

We'd sort of make a 'nest' of blankets for them on pads and they'd sleep in the nest wearing long underwear. We never had a problem with them, kids are pretty resilient plus they bounce when they fall too. :D

We'd tie the food in a bag and suspend it from a tree when backpacking. VW Camper Bus camping, we'd just put it in the car. Colorado isn't quite as bad as California yet for the learned behavior of the bears. There, you have to use bear proof containers to store food. Only area that bad here that I know of is east of the sand dunes, off Medano Pass.

There's some really nice camping spots near Buffalo Peaks, off Hwy 285 south of Fairplay. The FS road after the 2nd Weston Pass access is the one you want, before the big RV place, (CORRA). Take that FS road & drive toward the wilderness boundary. Stay away from the stream, Rough & Tumbling Creek, (it's on another FS road), as it attracts a lot of people. Rest of the area is usually vacant.

Dead fall for fire wood is fine.

[bsaunder]

BAD idea if your in any areas that have bears...they will turn your car into swiss cheese if they get even the slightest hint theres food in there. I went camping with my dad and uncle last spring out in CA and we kept the ice chest in the cab of his brand new tundra...woke up in the morning to find a broken window, shredded front seat and dash and what remained of our ice chest. :eek:

Get a rope, swing it over a high tree branch and hoist your food up high off the ground. That way, they will at least have to REALLY work for it if they want it that bad and most likely wont even bother.

Makes sense - I always bear bag when backpacking, for some reason the light never went off in my head for car camping

[strom911]

We went camping last year with our 1 1/2 year old. We took the pack n play but only used it for naps during the day and we put it in our 3 person tent. HOWEVER, at night, we put him in the back of our suv with a pad to sleep on and many blankets and vented the windows a bit. Then, we took a tarp and covered the back of the suv to keep it dark. This method allows you to do your thing and still allows them quiet time, etc. I would highly recommend this method, it worked great. When we did have him in our tent for the day naps, he would not sleep real well and wanted to play more than anything also making it hard for you to take a nap.

[kmon35]

Lots of good stuff already mentioned above. Fleece blankets or bags on a thermarest is what we did last year for our 1 month old, the 8 year old too. I always just put the coolers and food a ways away from where we sleep. I also try to know if there has been bear problems in an area before. I try not to camp where there is a history of problems. This is not a fool proof plan, but it has worked for me.

P.S. I am knocking on wood right now.

[Jeffro600]

Colorado isn't quite as bad as California yet for the learned behavior of the bears. There, you have to use bear proof containers to store food. Only area that bad here that I know of is east of the sand dunes, off Medano Pass.

Very true...the bears out there are almost to the point of being domesticated due to the over crowding of the major camping areas. They see people and they know if they rip cars or tents apart and they know they will find food one way or another.

[Jeff Mason]

Try going camping in a state park first to see if your son will adapt and that way there are other people around and restooms and then work your way into camping out in the woods.

X2. A state park for the first few trips will help ease you and the kid into camping. but I would stay away from the 'city parks'. Think about Golden Gate State Park or even Mueller State Park. Both have some good hikes and interpretive displays, are in the mountains, and have good spaces.

[Snotty]

Having done this a few times, the first thing I can recommend is camp in your backyard a couple of times.

Second, camp someplace that is easy enough to get home and only go overnight a few times.

Just in case something happens.

An easy place to camp is Rampart Range on the Woodland Park side of things.

My experience is this. Make it easy on your kid. Sure there can be a ton of places to go and see, but keep it simple. I used to take my ex's kids camping all the time, ages two and four up till they were teenagers. I just let them be kids, explore and really help out at the campsight. Once they were comfortable with that, then I added days to the trip and other activities. Fishing, hiking, climbing, etc.

As for food and gear, what has already been said...

[Yota]

Great ideas, Snotty - thanks.

[Mojo_Risin]

I think this looks like one of the safest tent heaters I've been looking into...

http://www.zodi.com/web-content/Consumer/zodihotvent.html

[Brutus]

I think this looks like one of the safest tent heaters I've been looking into...

http://www.zodi.com/web-content/Consumer/zodihotvent.html

That is a SWEET heater! BUT it says it isn't offered anymore (through that URL anyways). Have you found somewhere else that sells them?

I am thinking when I convert Brutus to 'pane, I might be able to mount this under the frame rail and have it hardwired (as I camp in the truckbed). :beer:

[Jeffro600]

That is a SWEET heater! BUT it says it isn't offered anymore (through that URL anyways). Have you found somewhere else that sells them?

I am thinking when I convert Brutus to 'pane, I might be able to mount this under the frame rail and have it hardwired (as I camp in the truckbed). :beer:

Cabelas and Sportsmans Warehouse sell ones that are exactly like that...might even be the same brand. Cant remember the price off the top of my head but they were priced reasonably.

[Yota]

Cabelas and Sportsmans Warehouse sell ones that are exactly like that...might even be the same brand. Cant remember the price off the top of my head but they were priced reasonably.

If you can post the link I'd be interested. I searched Cabela's and I didn't find anything like this one. The key thing about the one posted above is that it uses a heat exchanger that remains outside the tent. That is critical in maintaining air quality inside the tent IMHO.

[newracer]

I read on another site that Zodi is releasing a new model in '08. These sites have the old one in stock.

http://www.survivalstore.com/r4s1leb1.html

http://www.campingstation.net/hot.html

[ni0h]

One way to make certain of the child's warmth and protection is to stuff him in your bag with you. It gives up some of your comfort, but you can give him your heat and keep close tabs on him. No good if you're planning to fully mummy up.

[GarageWheeler]

We've gone camping with our kids since they were a few months old. We did the kid in the middle thing when it was cold enough, but the rest of the time, we used a sleeping bag that zips onto an air mattress to keep them from thrashing up the bag.
Like I posted in the shooting forum, I never worried much about keeping a gun with me in the tent. Now with kids, I always kept my 12 gauge loaded between me and the outside of the tent until I got my .44 mag. 40 years in Colorado and Wyoming, I've never heard of anyone being attacked by a mountain lion in a tent. Bears aren't too bad, but being prepared is best IMO. I've been looking for a heater like that, too. We sleep without heat and fire up the propane heater in the morning because I'm a lot more concerned about CO than bears :D .

[Yota]

I'm not too concerned about bears and mountain lions, like you said, don't attack tents.

The gun is more insurance against insane humans than animals. I love the idea of the bag that zips into the air mattress. Where can I find that?

[GarageWheeler]

Y'know, I don't remember if we got the bag at Gander Mountain or WalMart :shrug: . I can't seem to find any anywhere, now. I'm pretty sure we don't have it anymore.

We like to camp up by Redfeather in the National Forest. There are free sites that are level with fire rings, and are rarely full. Even when they are, they're fairly spread out. We found one on Labor Day that was out of sight of any of the other sites, even though the place was full. There's a pay area with running water that we hit after a few days if we need to defunk. Somebody mentioned Eleven Mile. There's NF up there, too, a little past Lake George, on the east side of the big ridge between the highway and lake. I've camped in there on a holiday and not seen anybody else. That's probably changed, though.

Fourth, is it legal to burn deadfall in some places vs others? I'd plan on bringing my own firewood but I was curious about this.

Most places you can burn what you can collect. If it's not legal, they'll post it, but those places are more the exception than the rule in the NF.

[bsaunder]

I'm not too concerned about bears and mountain lions, like you said, don't attack tents.

The gun is more insurance against insane humans than animals. I love the idea of the bag that zips into the air mattress. Where can I find that?


I can't speak to personal knowledge of mtn lions that attack tents; but I know 100% that bears will rip into a tent if they smell food in it. A fellow scout member from my home town is currently missing half of his lower jaw due to bear attack at Philmont.

[Yota]

Yep. If a bear decides to attack, no tent (or vehicle, for that matter) will stop it. I just don't think the bear population is that great in CO these days.

Mtn lion attacks usually happen to moving targets - or so it seems.

[Whitey]

....... I know 100% that bears will rip into a tent if they smell food in it. A fellow scout member from my home town is currently missing half of his lower jaw due to bear attack at Philmont.

I cannot believe how ignorant some people are regarding wildlife and the outdoors! :eek:

The very first rule is NEVER take food into your tent. It is so basic that I wouldn't even think of telling someone unless they had never been camping in their life. Hearing the above, IMO, is like telling someone not to put their finger in an electric socket or arm in a moving snow blower. :rolleyes:

I'm real sure the boy scouts don't allow food in tents, they're a good group and they train scouts well. As mentioned before, if you're going backpacking, tie the food in a sack and suspend it from a tree; away from the camping area.

Lets see, what have we missed. Tie your shoelaces? Get the basics of camping if you're not acquainted with the woods and living among wildlife. Oh, and tend the frigging fire!

[OrangeCrush]

I started my kids slowly with campsites in RMNP they had a blast and the jeep/car was 10 feet away.

[bsaunder]

I cannot believe how ignorant some people are regarding wildlife and the outdoors! :eek:

The very first rule is NEVER take food into your tent. It is so basic that I wouldn't even think of telling someone unless they had never been camping in their life. Hearing the above, IMO, is like telling someone not to put their finger in an electric socket or arm in a moving snow blower. :rolleyes:

I'm real sure the boy scouts don't allow food in tents, they're a good group and they train scouts well. As mentioned before, if you're going backpacking, tie the food in a sack and suspend it from a tree; away from the camping area.

Lets see, what have we missed. Tie your shoelaces? Get the basics of camping if you're not acquainted with the woods and living among wildlife. Oh, and tend the frigging fire!
the Scouts are like any other group of people - some good, some bad...

Sorry thing is - too many people think that it won't happen to them.

[pineneedle]

My Dear Friends,

I see my friend, Whitey, has dispensed his usual good sense in a post above. That encourages me to chime in as well.

As for the matter of bears in Colorado: my son, John, directed a three-year project called the San Juan Grizzly Project, back in the nineties. They combed the Weminuche Wilderness and South San Juan Wilderness to determine if there was a relict population of grizzly bears there. (If you are interested in that, read "Ghost Grizzlies.") Anyway, during that time they had a ton of bear encounters including what experts consider a grizzly incident. In addition to this, John spent three years in the Glacier Park backcountry where there are tons of grizzlies. As a result, he is really anal about the matter of food in the tent. He hangs everything that is attactive smelling, including toothpaste. He had his bear bags shredded on several occasions because the varmints are incredibly tenacious and creative. But, as he says, better to have the foodsacks shreded than the tents. Verbum satis sapienti, a word to the wise is sufficient.

Pineneedle