wanted advice:camping with my 2 year old son.

[94ToyBear]

Just got back from a 5 day business trip in Grand Junction and had a great time Biking, working out, satying out late.
My mother inlaw help my girl out with our 2 year old son while I was away.

I come back and she is stressed out from work, our son and her mother...
Id like to give the opprtunity for some days with out us before my summer break is done...

The idea of camping came up but I have no idea if camping with a 2 year old was a good idea.
I know my son would loooooove this! And id love to have that father son time aswell.
Id like to take him where theres not a whole lot of others, by a lake so we can put our poles is while we play with his toy tractors or maybe take his jeep power wheels for some mini wheeling. I dont have a camper I do have a tent, I can borrow my moms 01 burban and we c an bunk there although my son will love the tent. I have two -20 adult sleeping bags and a -20 tent, colman grill.

What do you think ? Good or bad idea? Am I missing some needed details from my new idea
? Should I go with a tent or burban or both just in case ?
How long is to long camping with a 2 year old? 2 nights?


Thanks ahead of time for the great advice !
P.s. sorry for any typos my phone screen cracked in a millon pieces

[Tom]

Great idea! I took my son out at a very early age. We were backpack and canoe camping when he was 4.

#1 thing At all costs keep him warm, dry, and fed. Then watch him like a hawk.

[Hypoid]

#1 thing At all costs keep him warm, dry, and fed. Then watch him like a hawk.This! He looks like dinner to a lot of wild life.

EDIT: I'd camp in the car, less stuff to take your attention away from your son. He won't care, he's hanging out with the Dad!

[94ToyBear]

So far im seeing it not a bad idea ! Thats good...id probably take the tent so he can play in it.

[Chris]

Great idea, no need to go far as your son won't care if you're 50 miles in the wilderness or 5 from home. Just relax, have some time alone together. I'd say sleep in the tent, cook over a fire and have fun while your wife recover. 2 nights/3 days would be great for all of you.

Don't overthink it, bring whatever he needs and keep him comfortable with the wide range of temperatures. Biggest concern for me would be too much sun and sunburn. He'll wake up with the sun and go to sleep when it goes down and have a blast. As other's said, and is worth repeating, keep an eye on him at all times especially by any water. Most of all relax and have fun!

[Jackie]

We camped with our little girl all the time. We used to like to go to Camp Dick. My daughter and I would share one tent and sleep on a blow-up mattress and my husband slept in a single-man tent. We bathed her in a large plastic tote filled with warm/hot water right on the picnic table! She loved to play around the campground and walk by the water. It was a lot of fun. Mostly I think she liked the evening camp fires, but that is when you REALLY need to be on your guard! I often heard wildlife creeping around our tent at night, but I just held her closer and stayed quiet.

[Patrolman]

We took our daughter earlier this Summer. It was in a pop-up camper, but it could have been a tent too. She enjoyed it. We stayed very close to home though just in case we had to pack it up. It was just 1 night as a trial run. The other points people make is good. I would steer away from water as it is just too attractive for him to be in it. Also, the camp fire requires your full attention.

[javaman34]

I took my grandson camping when he was 1 year old. We had to on our guard constantly though. Also we had a camper. I still would have taken him if we only had a tent.

[Jackie]

With a 2-yr old, even at home, you have to be on-your-guard all the time! What's the difference?! If there is trouble to be found - they will find it. Just don't let him wander alone AT ALL. He'll be fine!

[Rick]

my Sons 1st camp trip was a memorial weekend in Granby.He was 2 mos old..we set up a tent and put his portable playpen in it for him to sleep in,etc....Like was mentioned,keep him warm ,dry and entertained. @2 yrs old shouldnt be a problem at all,other than the normal stuff....Go out and have fun

[94ToyBear]

Ill get him a leash lol. Jk... hes been by water before when I took him fishing so he has the idea of stay out of it. But still gota watch like a hawk. Same with fire he knows not to touch it... but I know that too and get burned haha..
I think borrowing the burban will be a good idea even if we dont sleep in it...

[94ToyBear]

The things that fear me the most....wild life, mountain weather. Other then that it all seems to a great time !

[Rick]

go over to Bear Creek or chatfield///both have swim beaches and close to home

[94ToyBear]

go over to Bear Creek or chatfield///both have swim beaches and close to home


Good idea...id like to me in the hills somemore...but this might be more logical for the first time around... but can make a fire t
At either location ?

[glacierpaul]

I'm like Rick, only we live in the mountains so our kiddos have been thrust right into this lifestyle at birth :). I would suggest any of the lakes surrounding me, or if no water Yankee has plenty of camping options. Having the Burb would be a good idea too, it can make it to what I suggested and if a thunderstorm rolls in I would rather be in a vehicle(lightning/thunder is loud up here too). As far as wildlife goes, I have lived in the mountains for 16 years, played in them for 35+ years, never had an issue with wildlife, unless you mean people too :). Just raise him knowing you guys are being watched and to always be aware of your surroundings. If he is running around always be right there. You will learn quickly on what you need bring and have with you. If you ever see me I have too much stuff for the kids when I'm out, clothes, shoes, items to keep them occupied while out of vehicle and in :). Get him used to wearing a small backpack, and to carry a bottle of water and a granola bar....something to that affect. You will be amazed how much this helps out later in life for them :). Mainly though just do it!!

[Chris]

My kids just spent a week at Bear Creek with my grandkids (5,7,9 & 12) after realizing the kids don't care where they are, they just want to have fun. It's not mountains or wilderness but they all had a blast. Close to home, kid friendly, and a good place to introduce your son to camping.

[glacierpaul]

My kids just spent a week at Bear Creek with my grandkids (5,7,9 & 12) after realizing the kids don't care where they are, they just want to have fun. It's not mountains or wilderness but they all had a blast. Close to home, kid friendly, and a good place to introduce your son to camping. X2! Just get out with him!

[Rick]

just did a job at Bear Creek and it looks like there are a few empty campsites and the swim beach is just to the nw of the camp ground...just an fyi adam