Need advice for camping with little kids

[Platanus21]

We're planning our first trip to Big Bend, husband and myself, and taking our three young children (6, 4, and 2).  We're planning on going the end of October.  Obviously we won't be hiking far, but we'd like to be able to hike out a little ways into a primitive area and pitch camp.  We can't carry more than a days' worth of water, and so need to stay in range of a water source (i.e. visitor's centers?).  So maybe park, hike out and camp for a night, come back and reload, then strike out again for another night?  Can anyone suggest a good place to park the car, where we could hike out for a day at a time, with good terrain and scenery for the kids?  Any other advice on camping with young children in Big Bend?  Much appreciated!

[steelfrog]

Park in the Basin and hike up the Pinnacles trail and camp up there; just get with rangers beforehand, when you are reserving site; have them help you get a site the distance in that you want.

Aside from that, do you have a backpack with a kid carrier on top?  REI makes a good one.  Thata way the little one can catch a ride when he/she looks to be drooping

Camping advice--make it fun!  Bring something you all can watch a movie on or something in your little cave of a tent.  Can't have a fire, so got to spice it up somehow for the little ones.

I have 6 kids, and am known for taking them on nutty stuff even when little--my 3 y.o. went up Hunter Peak and down Bear Canyon by herself in Guadalupe N.P., and we got hit with a t-storm in Bear Canyon which lowered the temp from 92-52 in 20 minutes.  Just come prepared for any weather, though you will likely be dry.  Make sure you have plenty of calories--little kids easily become hypocaloric; regular stops to hydrate and calorate and you will be good.  Remember this is bear country, so keep food outside your tents either in a bear canister or, better, a bear bag hanging from a tree

I don't know your level of experience or knowledge, so if you PM me I can give you my e-mail address.  Happy to help

[billh]

we camped with our little ones for many years. Our oldest son, now 23, was a year old the first time. We always camped at KBAR, sometimes at Grapevine Hills or Croton Springs. We loved being out away from people. They could roam and explore. K Bar is close to panther junction, and easy to refill water, it's not a far drive to hot springs. I once wrote a short hiking guide for kids and big bend. If you'll email me at bholston@sullivanholston.com, I'll send a copy.

[Sotol Vista]

no kids here, but like bill said, your best bet is to drive out to one of the primitive sites like K-Bar, Grapevine Hills, Croton Springs. to hike out and back to replenish with water you will need to zone camp and your options might be limited with the little ones as you will have to replenish your water with what you have in your car which you will have to leave along the road some where in a pull out.

most cars will be able to handle the roads to get to each of the sites listed above. K-Bar will be the longest and roughest drive. Croton Springs is the shortest drive and pretty smooth

what kind of car do you have? you might have more options with a little bit of clearance.

James

[Al]

We're planning our first trip to Big Bend, husband and myself, and taking our three young children (6, 4, and 2).  We're planning on going the end of October.  Obviously we won't be hiking far, but we'd like to be able to hike out a little ways into a primitive area and pitch camp.  We can't carry more than a days' worth of water, and so need to stay in range of a water source (i.e. visitor's centers?).  So maybe park, hike out and camp for a night, come back and reload, then strike out again for another night?  Can anyone suggest a good place to park the car, where we could hike out for a day at a time, with good terrain and scenery for the kids?  Any other advice on camping with young children in Big Bend?  Much appreciated!

I wish Randall would respond to this question.  He did a great hike with the kids off of 118 on the west side of the park that looked pretty much like what you are thinking about.

Al

[Platanus21]

Thanks, everyone, for your advice!  The primitive campsites (K-Bar, etc.) sound like a good option for us.  What the children like most about camping is being able to roam freely in the area around the tent, so these sound good.  Thanks again.