Tent Pads for large tents

[PJC001]

I have the new Kodiak 10x14 Flex Bow with side windows. We will be using it for the first time next month. My question is this: in making camping reservations I see that very few places give tent pad dimensions. How do you judge ahead of time if the spot you reserve will fit a large tent size? I called one state park in AZ and they led me to reserve a site that would take the tent. Sometimes the online pictures of sites look like they might accommodate the tent but who knows until they get there. And, if you have arrived at a site and the tent pad is too small how did you make do with it? Thanks for any thoughts on this.

[Hikenhunter]

Re: Tent Pads for large tents

Inform them of the size of your tent when making the reservations. If you can visit the campground ahead of time, or when you are camping there the first time, walk around and make a list of campsites you think would work for you in the future. With this " PREFERRED CAMPSITE LIST " you can request your campsite by number the next time you make a reservation. We do this everytime we go to a new campground and it has helped smooth the process of reserving a good campsite for us.

[05Kingquad700]

Re: Tent Pads for large tents

If I camp in a camp ground, I will call ahead (usually email prior) in advance. I will tell them that my tent is 10x14 and want to see if my tent will fit the tent pad. I checked with the USFS about a couple of spots for this summer and they said it would fit. They also said I could reserve a site that is for trailer type campers and just pitch the tent in the grass on those spots.
BTW, the tent I started with here in the rocky mountains was a 10x17 8 man, and I have never had a problem fitting ina tent pad.

HikenHunters advice about walking around the camground is a good one. In my early season spot, my wife prefers a different site than I do. So her choice is now 2nd on the list.

[PJC001]

Re: Tent Pads for large tents

Thanks. I am going to start calling this morning: Leadville/Turquoise Lake; Flaming Gorge RA; Jackson; Whitefish. Anyone have any suggestions on these places for tenting I am open to suggestions.

[05Kingquad700]

Re: Tent Pads for large tents

the best advice I can give is that if you are going to be camping in campgrounds, to go ahead and make your reservations. I know a bunch of campgrounds here in CO are already booked up for the 2013 season. I assume that Leadville/Turquoise Lake is here in CO.

[05Kingquad700]

Re: Tent Pads for large tents

Here is a link that has reservable camping sites near Turquoise Lake. You better start looking as sites fill up fast. The website recreation.gov is a good one.
http://www.recreation.gov/unifSearch...abIndex=Search

[renodesertfox]

Re: Tent Pads for large tents

Good info everyone. Not all campgrounds even in the same national forest, territory or region are equipped the same. Some have different sizes of tent pads, some don't even have tent pads, then there are some that have tables that are falling apart, concrete tables. The safest advice is to call ahead to the campground if a telephone number is listed or an email and ask your questions directly to the rangers in charge, campground host, or owner. They are on-sight, or should be and can answer most everyone's question. In my dealing with management most are very friendly and helpful and look forward to making your stay as pleasant as possible. Just my $0.02.

[PJC001]

Re: Tent Pads for large tents

All good replies. To the poster in CO, I did reserve today at Turquoise Lake in Leadville, CO based on the picture online of what looked like a very large tent pad. But who knows. It could be 8x8. And you are right, campsites around Leadville are pretty much gone for the dates I wanted in July. As for the others, I am calling around. Reserve America tried to be helpful but they do not have actual tent pad sizes at hand. So, I'm calling Rangers on Monday and I have some camp host numbers. I had not thought about Google sat photos. That will be hours of fun tomorrow. I have no problem reserving an rv site but some have asphalt drives and that will do me no good with the Kodiak so I am looking for gravel drives. Thanks again. I will let Kodiak lovers know how it goes camping in my new 10x14 with side windows in AZ in March. By the way, those with Kodiaks: I bought a 16 oz 10x14 all cotton tarp to put on the floor of the tent inside. It weighs 15 pounds! I have two large dogs and want to keep the floor as scratch and puncture free as I can.

PJ
Santa Fe, NM

[05Kingquad700]

Re: Tent Pads for large tents

calling the local rangers is the best bet. Reserve america is just a reservation system. If you need the local field office number let me know. I hear about July dates, I couldn't find any. So I will probably be at my dispersed spot. I got the last one at Dowdy Lake for Memorial day. Next year, I will start bookig the week of New Years.

[PJC001]

Re: Tent Pads for large tents

Whomever suggested I go on Google Earth and scout out campsites gave me a very good tip. I went to Flaming Gorge NRA and zoomed in on a campground I wanted to stay at and found large sites with tent pads. If the pads don't accommodate my 10x14 Kodiak the site was so big I could put it anywhere. I grabbed the site and reserved it. Thanks for the idea!

PJ
Santa Fe, NM