Are you looking to backpack, car camp, or campground camp? It can make a difference because just like different styles of mtn biking, there are lot of different ways to camp haha.

Linville Gorge Facebook group... They're Gorge specific but there is alot of good folks on there and they're very helpful.

Backpacking.net. Its more of a backpacking forum but they have alot of knowledge about gear selection tips and tricks and whatnot.

REI.com has alot of info for newbies wanting to try camping.


Or you can ask here I suppose. Ive been backpacking/camping regularly for 15 years. I'd be happy to offer input or advice. At work...Cane Creek Park...I teach an "intro to camping" course every once and a while. If you can find enough people to come I'd be happy to teach/show you some stuff. Its a beginner-intermediate camping course.

Since you say City Wife + Child 

Lake Norman State park I think will fit your camping need perfectly. Car camping-  Nice spots with tables and flat spots for tents.  Potable water very Close by. Showers!!!   Paved roads - bring a bike - ride around - Beach access for the family to enjoy the lake too.  30-45 Min from Charlotte if you must bail out!

Grab a tent - Some underground padding (air mattress if you must )  and shelter is ready .  Bedding is your choice- This time of year -a  LIGHT sleeping bag - or a few  sheets and blankets can suffice.

Cooking meals are a thoughtful process - Propane stoves are Fast Efficient and perfect for car camping (heavy fuel bottles)  Grilles at the same campsites too for burning meat with charcoal - Can also cook on a campfire if you're crafty. The more home prep you do for cooking while camping make cooking at home easy!  My Car camp favorite-  Quesdillas-   Hot pan - Heat it up - insert ingredients , crisp  Fold- Brown top = Eat! 

Can always live of a box of little Debbies + cereal and milk if ya have to!

Ease into it close by before spending big $$ for items that are rarely used.

Also if you want to drive same types of camping are available along the Parkway all over- Checkout NC State parks site for places to go ideas- they will have nice amenities for those that need.

 

I took my 3 yo to Dan Nicholas in Salisbury a few weeks ago and we had a great time. Wanted to do LNSP but they aren't renting out canoes while they do some renovations.  Their "wilderness" campsites are a bit of a joke as they're pretty close to the RV crowd, but it was still fun, and fire pits with grates and nearby showers/bathrooms made things easy. 

They have a pond with paddle boats, and on the other side of that they have all kinds of things to keep kids busy. A small train ride, a little zoo (watching bald eagles have their breakfast was pretty awesome) and a bunch of other stuff:
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Another plus is that it's very close to the NC Transportation Museum, if your kids are obsessed with trains like mine.

SirNotAppearing wrote on 05/22/14 at 2:11pm:


My oldest was a Thomas Freak so we did enjoy going to Dan Nicholas park.  Never made it to the NC transportation museum but have been wanting to go.  I definitely like that park so, that does sound like a good option.  Plus, with the weather as it is, the kids would get a kick out of the Water feature there at the park!  Forgot about Dan Nicholas.  Didnd't know there were camp grounds there.