Help me make my son's first camping trip something he'll never forget

[Ike1985]

My son is 6 now and I want to take him camping. I'very been hiding for years and want to instill in him a love of nature and camping and when he gets older: hiking. I need suggestions where to take him, here's my qualifications:

1. Kentucky
2. Campsite within 30-1hr walk of car
3. Non-intermittent water source nearby, preferably a flowing one within 30-1hr of site
4. Campsite with fire spot
5. Possible flat tent camping spot(not sure if gonna take hammock or tent)
6. Cool view within 30-1hr walk
7. No riff raff/hooliganism/places teens are known to party around

Possible places i'm considering; Red River gorge, mammoth cave back country.

Thanks everyone

[NewChuck]

I have never been to any of the places you are considering, but would make some food recommendations. Bring something that he can help cook - hotdogs, something he can place in a foil wrap/pouch for you to cook on the fire, etc. And something for desert - recommend bananas stuffed with peanut butter cups and mini-marshmallows double wrapped in tin foil. Place (upright so the banana is sitting like a canoe) the on the coals for 15 min. Help your son to open the pouch and give him a spoon. He can add extra PB cups and marshmallows as he eats.

[johnspenn]

I'm in GA so can't help with the location, but-

Think about some fun activities y'all can do together. I.e, geocaching, looking for bugs and critters and whatnot... kids like stimulation as opposed to us adults who can just sit around and enjoy doing nothing.

As already mentioned let him "cook" his own food over the fire if possible, a wienie roast or similar, some marshmallows to toast or smores, (now I'm hungry!)

Let him be involved in the camp chores, gathering wood, setting the hammocks up (don't subject the poor child to a tent!) filtering water and etc.

Hope you have a great time, and make sure to report back and let us know how it went!

[Broken Halo]

Red River Gorge, Big South Fork (TN/KY) or a section of the Sheltowee. All three of these can check your boxes. My only concern would be RRG - I don't know your son's maturity level at six but, RRG has some unforgiving drops/cliffs. On the other hand, it's a very unique place with all the geological formations.

Oh, and 7) might be an issue with RRG. It's a popular place. But, that's slight risk anywhere that there's people.

[TrailSlug]

Mammoth Cave would/could be a cool trip. Camping and a cave tour is always a good combination especially for a younger kid that has never done the cave tour.

[transeuphrates]

You can't go wrong with Big South Fork or Sheltowee Trace. A really good spot is on the Dog Slaughter Falls trail just inside Cumberland Falls State Park. You can camp anywhere and it has plenty of water, as you hike down the banks of the stream. There are some good camping spots although most are not flat. There are a few spots with rock shelters on the Sheltowee Trace at Cumberland Falls that are perfect as well. Not too far to hike and plenty of water, wildlife and not too crowded.

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[Martzy13]

I'm living in western KY right now, so I only have knowledge fron there. Are you and your son in the east or west side of the state?

[Ike1985]

We're in etown, but we can drive everywhere.

[TrailSlug]

We're in etown, but we can drive everywhere.

I lived in Elizabethtown for a few years about 20 years ago. Loved it. Just up 65 is Jefferson Memorial Forest where the fall hang is being hosted in a couple of weeks. That would be close and looks like a nice area as well. I grew up in Hart County so Mammoth Cave is always a favorite for me as well.

https://louisvilleky.gov/government/...emorial-forest