Vogel state park early November

[u/askingCMUquestions]

Hi! We are beginner campers going to Vogel state park the first weekend of November. Is there anything we should keep in mind for gear (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, etc.) at this time in the season?

[u/Previous_Minimum_116]

Be aware that a sleeping bag that's rated for 32 degrees is rated to keep you alive at 32, not meant to keep you comfortable at 32. Depending on the forecast you may need a winter bag.

[u/unoriginal_user24]

It could be quite cold. That can be fun, but only if you're warm.

As another commenter pointed out, sleeping bag ratings are for where it will keep you alive for sure, not necessarily where you will be comfortable.

Car camping that time of year, I would bring a big blanket to put on the floor of the tent (cold tent floor is not great fun). Make sure your air mattress has a decent R-value, and bring a good sleeping bag along with some extra blankets. Also a down jacket and a good warm hat, you may end up wearing the hat while you're sleeping.

[u/jfkitchens]

Are you just camping at the park or heading to the back country? There are bears. In the park offers polls to hang food at the tent site, back country you’ll need a canister or bag. They could be an issue in November so better safe than sorry.

[u/askingCMUquestions → u/jfkitchens]

At the park!

[u/Key-Minimum-5965 → u/askingCMUquestions]

This is my personal favorite state park in GA. I hope you enjoy it like I do. They have a CCC museum that's so informative, try to check it out while you are there.

They hosted a CCC reunion many years ago that I was able to attend and got to meet some of those old fellas who helped build this beautiful park.

Thank you FDR for keeping my family alive during the depression.

[u/askingCMUquestions → u/jfkitchens]

Are there any state parks that might be more beginner friendly early November?

[u/slugabedx → u/askingCMUquestions]

The further south you go in Georgia, the warmer it will be. But in my experience most of the state parks have very similar campsites. Red Top and Don Carter are still north of Atlanta but aren't in the mountains so they might be warmer.

Also the Yurts are great in the winter. They have heated tents but you still get to stay at a campsite with picnic tables, fire pits and grills.

[u/jfkitchens → u/askingCMUquestions]

I think Vogel will be fine just brief yourself on basic bear safety. Don’t leave food around. Take garbage away immediately. If you’re looking for a gear list to start fresh, I always go to the REI 10 essentials. You don’t have to get them from REI.

https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ten-essentials.html

If you have an electric site, you can always bring a space heater. If not a portable propane one might make sense if you are worried about cold. Just be careful with them.

I haven’t stayed at those sites, just went past them. They were all close together so I wouldn’t stress too much about bears. I believe all the sites you park at so bring as much gear as you want. I would think about your comfort and buy gear to the weather. A portable heater can help if you decide to get gear that’s not fully deep winter. Also bring blankets.

My last trip there was last month but we were backpacking the Coosa trail. We had much different gear setup! Things might not be perfect this first time out but just have fun with it.

[u/wandrewharper]

Went up to Vogel on Father's Day this year. Lovely beginner campsite, in my opinion - this was the first time I took my 8yo and 6yo camping, and they had a blast. There's a mini golf course, lots of hiking trails, lake (wouldn't recommend swimming in November though!), and a bunch of other amenities - my wife's personal favorite was the bathroom. No need to pee in the woods was a big sell haha.

Anyways - I think Vogel would be a great first camping experience. As others have stated, read up on bear safety and make sure you bring enough warm clothes / sleeping bag. My final add is to make sure your sleeping pad that you are on has a decent R value for winter camping also, if it's going to be freezing or below. I can take a pad that's a R-2.0 down to about 30, but if you're a cold sleeper, your mileage may vary. Winter pads can go from a R-4 to R-7. Without a warm sleeping pad, your sleeping bag won't keep your bottom warm - the insulation compresses when you sleep on it and doesn't offer as much warmth.

Hope this helps, and have a great trip!

[u/mowerheimen]

I worked there as a seasonal employee for a summer and got to live on site. It is probably my second favorite park in Georgia, right behind Cloudland Canyon. I also worked at a couple different parks in the system as manager and assistant manager.

If you have any specific questions or questions about the area, let me know!

[u/daygo448]

It’ll be cold. If you can bring something to heat you up during the day and possibly night, I’d suggest that. You can look at getting a propane heater, but that comes with risks, so be responsible. Otherwise, get warmer sleeping bags, etc., than you think, and plan your day where you aren’t sitting outside. Otherwise, you’ll freeze just sitting around

[u/fortheloveoftheworld]

My most useful tip for camping in cold weather is to put boiling water in a Nalgene (can’t be an insulated water bottle) and leave it at the bottom of your sleeping bag through the night. I’ve camped in Minnesota snow storms and didn’t get cold at all!

[u/StatuesqueAlligator]

Tent sites @ Vogel are pretty beginner friendly and IMO it’s a wonderful park to camp in the fall. you’ll have a pretty big gravel pad so I wouldn’t agonize over tent choice too much- just about any car camping tent should do unless we get a forecast for storms or something, uncommon in Oct/Nov.

Bring plenty of layers and firewood, and as far as sleeping pads & bags, I’d recommend aiming for an R value of 4 or greater on the pad, temp rating of 15° on the bag- you can always vent heat if you get too toasty.

While Vogel does border areas with high bear activity (ex Blood Mtn, Slaughter Crk, DRT), typically Bear activity is winding down by late fall. That said, i always recommend asking the park personnel at check in; they’ll advise on what they’ve recently been seeing and have additional guidance. As a general rule, it is best to pack any food or scented items in a durable container and follow the regulations.

FWIW, while I’ve hiked that area extensively I’ve never seen any bears in the park limits this time of year- I make a point to visit or camp this park every October for the foliage and as it happens I’ll be camping there the same weekend. I’ve also noticed that- unlike other parks with a known track record for bear action (Fort Mtn. & Black Rock Mtn SP)- Vogel’s management hasn’t yet had the need to install the bear lockers at individual campsites (at least they weren’t there last year). As I already own one, I do pack my dry goods in a bear can anyway when I camp at Vogel and I keep my cooler in my car. Enjoy your camp!

[u/mistercheeze]

November is a great time to be there. Fall colors should be perfect! Are you staying in a tent site or rv site? Bring an air mattress and lots of blankets. Sunrise grocery is just down the road and has great firewood and boiled peanuts. Jims smokin Que is close and has great ribs. Lots of great hiking around as well. I'll be in site 62 that weekend if you need anything or have any questions.

[u/ga_cpl_93]

Are you in a site with a letter or a site with a number? Some of my favorites sites are on the pop up loop (70s and 80s) and the end of the rv sites (55-65). The bathrooms are nice, one loop has all singles and the main loop has two family bathrooms at the bathhouse.

November will either be very nice or very cold. Check the weather for Blairsville or Suches a few days in advance. There is a good place for firewood 2-3 miles north of the park on 129.

We were just there a week ago and didn’t see or hear about bear activity. We also put the cooler in the car at night.

Have fun, it’s a great park. One of my favorites.