hotrod22 said:
Thanks for all the info guys! Keep it coming! I googled "camping list" and found several lists, but they had like 17 billion things on them, and being that I am NOT going to be out in the middle of BFE(actually a couple miles from the Eldorado Outpost), I'm trying to figure out the stuff I NEED, so far I am coming up with.......
tent
tarp(to put the tent on)
extra stakes
hammer
toilet paper
sleeping bags
blankets
pillows
air mattress or foam pad
broom/dustpan
light source
bottled water
non-perishable food
cooking food
coleman stove(unless a grill is available at the site)(I think they are?)
zip-loc bags
trash bags(for clothes and garbage)
coolers/lots of ice
insect spray
shovel
entertainment(football, frisbee, board games,etc...)
Did I miss something? Keep in mind I am NOT compiling the "ultimate" camping needs list, just the stuff you gotta have.
Looks like a pretty good list... add a few sticks of firewood (It's expensive at the Outpost or at the grocery stores in town) I don't think there is any restriction on fires, but if there is, it'll be posted
everywhere A bucket, gallon jug, or an empty cooler is handy for dousing the fire when you leave...
Most (all?) the 'improved' sites have cast iron grilles, but a propane stove is a bit handier for cooking side-dishes or boiling water for coffee. You can do it all on the grill though, just a bit messier/slower.
Don't forget the cooking tools (spatula, fork, tongs, pans/skillet, percolator if you require non-instant coffee) seasonings and stuff to eat off/with.
Bring a wire brush or something to clean the grille, charcoal/lighter and a little bit of dish liquid, scrubby pad & a couple towels/dishrags. Alum foil is handy for covering the grill and cooked food. A roll of paper towels is handy as well.
I like little jars to keep dry or liquid stuff in... salt, pancake batter mix, coffee/sugar, cooking oil & such. Also you can raid the McDs & Hardees for tubes of catsup/mustard/relish, salt/pepper/sugar packs etc... Rubbermaid tubs are good for bread, chips etc... the birds WILL raid your stuff if you leave it out. I usually bring a tablecloth & butt-pads to sit on... those birds also leave their little 'gifts' on the tables/benches as their way of thanking you for the meal.
Sometimes the yellow-jackets out there can get fierce... a 2l bottle with a little bit of sugar-water or soda in the bottom, set back away from your site helps bait & trap them rascals. No bears or other big eaters in these parts yet... just possoms, coons, squirrels, deer & birds.
If you didn't want to cook much, or every meal, The grill at the Eldo Outpost is pretty good. Troy is 10 or so miles south on 109@24/27... McDs or Bojangles, a little burger shack, a Mexican place, and a pizza place all right at or within sight that intersection. Food Lion for groceries is maybe 3/4 mile west of there on 24/27. Edit: see you are coming from Fayetteville...there's also a Food Lion and a WalMart in Biscoe, both of which are on 24/27 on your way in.
All the sites have toilets... Arrowhead CG (up the hill from the boat launch ramp) has the 'million dollar' bathrooms & showers and is the most 'civilized' & non-dusty (paved driveway/parking) Some of these sites have AC power & water for RVs. Badin Lake loops have gravel drives/parking and small toilets/showers. All have hydrants for fresh water...not in the sites but alongside the driveway loops.
If you are lucky, there a few sites in Badin Lake CG that you can get 'waterfront property.' Great for watching sunsets & swimming/fishing/boating, but are real hard to get 'in season.' We'd usually stake a claim for one on like Thursday and pay the extra nights. If you do that, you have to make it look like you are there though (pitch the tent at least) You can also reserve & pay for many USFS campsites online (reserveamerica.com IIRC) That works too.
Camping can be as involved or basic as you like. We're kind of in the middle... but I've been doing it since I was a little kid and kinda know the drill. After you go a time or three, you'll figure out what you needed and what you didn't need. Key is having fun, making do & not stressing over the little stuff. Don't spend a giant wad of cash on stuff until you decide if you (and the family if ya have one) like it.
Heres a link to the online reservations at USFS facilities:
http://www.recreation.gov/homeLeft.do?topTabIndex=CampingSpot