Jeanne in MN Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 Can one tent camp in VA, KY, and MO in late March-early April? I realize the answer is probably no, but I'm desperate to save money on a possible trip (that only works out that time of year) and am wondering if there's any possible way. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama Geek Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 Do you have good warm gear? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 You can in VA, but temps can vary widely. Heck, you can camp in subzero weather if you have the right gear. :D Be extra cautious about ticks, too. They start coming out when it warms up a bit in the spring--we have them REALLY bad around here. The dog will go out in the yard (which is surrounded by woods) for a few minutes and come back with 4 or 5 on him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MSNative Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 Absolutely. If you are going to be up in the mountains it will be a lot colder. We have had high temps near 80 and near 40 when we've camped in the spring (VA, KY and TN, never camped in MO so can't speak to that.) Wherever you plan on being, bring rain gear. You will have rain. It is a gorgeous time to camp if you choose to go - wildflowers, trees leafing out, way fewer people on the trails, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwen in VA Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 What part of Virginia? If you are looking at the eastern part, not in the mountains, April is probably about the best time of all for camping -- warm but not hot. We live in the Tidewater, and April is my favorite time of year -- we mostly have the windows open and the A/C OFF! :) The mountains might be a bit chilly, but if you bring some warm layers it shouldn't be a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 MO is hit and miss with the weather at that time of the year. You can have beautiful weeks with temps in the 60s and even 70s - or it can snow. Now, of course with proper equipment, one can still tent camp if it is cold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soror Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 I'm in Southern MO and it would likely be fine here although the weather can vary very widely that time of year(especially in March). If you have decent gear I think you'd be fine. We camped in Oct and it got down to right above freezing and we managed ok even without special bags- although we did get some for Christmas now to be better prepared. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgialee Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 Keep in mind that spring in KY and VA are usually pretty wet - the weather should be warm enough but you need to be prepared for rain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeanne in MN Posted January 27, 2012 Author Share Posted January 27, 2012 Thank you so much for the info. guys!! That really helps out a lot. The weather in those states sounds like our May here and I know how to deal with that. I really appreciate your taking the time to answer my question! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 KOA's have camper cabins where you can stay. Cheaper than motels, and actually quite nice, although you still need to bring your own bedding, etc. Perhaps you can look into them? Maybe some of them have heat, though I'm not sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TGHEALTHYMOM Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 Kentucky varies in Late March and April. When Easter is earlier, the weather seems to be better. My son was born April 29th. Some years we have had Easter near his birthday, and beautiful weather! Many times we have had major flooding ( 2 State of Emergency: Last year was 1) A few have been very cold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcconnellboys Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 Well, this year it might depend on where you're talking about camping. More low-lying areas that are generally warmer may be really warm this year, as we've had no appreciable winter as of today. On the other hand, we might get all our winter in March (never happened before, but still).... I can't speak for MO, just KY and TN. Higher altitudes will not work. Warmer valley areas, maybe.... You're in MN, so 40's (night time) should be fine for you, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hellen Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 (edited) Meteorologists are predicting another wet spring. The past two springs have been quite wet. I'm talking about inches of rain. It's really pretty though the beginning of April with all of the flowering trees. I don't know if the same wet weather is predicted. For the other states or even if it will happen. Didn't meteorologists predict a really cold winter for most of the country? If you choose Kentucky you might want to consider coming for Thunder Over Louisville. It's a spectacular fireworks show. Edited January 27, 2012 by hellen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelle in MO Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 Our favorite months to camp here in MO are April and October. One thing you might want to look into is the date the campgrounds turn on their water. The ones we've looked into around here are April 1st. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeanne in MN Posted January 28, 2012 Author Share Posted January 28, 2012 We've had the mildest winter I ever remember and it sounds like some similar weather patterns have occurred across the country. Thanks for the reminders of higher altitudes will be colder. I'm not used to thinking in terms of altitude since we live on the plains. It's always the wind we have to consider. Forty degrees with no wind is fine. Forty degrees with wind is too cold! Well, this year it might depend on where you're talking about camping. More low-lying areas that are generally warmer may be really warm this year, as we've had no appreciable winter as of today. On the other hand, we might get all our winter in March (never happened before, but still).... I can't speak for MO, just KY and TN. Higher altitudes will not work. Warmer valley areas, maybe.... You're in MN, so 40's (night time) should be fine for you, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeanne in MN Posted January 28, 2012 Author Share Posted January 28, 2012 I wasn't real excited about heading out east that time of year, so I'm tickled to hear about flowering trees. :) Thanks for the reminder about the wetness factor. Here, I associate late March/early April with snow, not rain. Will keep the fireworks show in mind. :) Meteorologists are predicting another wet spring. The past two springs have been quite wet. I'm talking about inches of rain. It's really pretty though the beginning of April with all of the flowering trees. I don't know if the same wet weather is predicted. For the other states or even if it will happen. Didn't meteorologists predict a really cold winter for most of the country? If you choose Kentucky you might want to consider coming for Thunder Over Louisville. It's a spectacular fireworks show. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeanne in MN Posted January 28, 2012 Author Share Posted January 28, 2012 Sweet! I'm glad April is considered not just a decent month, but a good month! :) Will remember the water situation as well!. Our favorite months to camp here in MO are April and October. One thing you might want to look into is the date the campgrounds turn on their water. The ones we've looked into around here are April 1st. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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