Heading to Garner this weekend to do some camping for the first time in a long time. Just wanted to check and see if y'all had any tips.

Water level?
Burn ban?
Alcohol? I have been reading on this and am pretty sure public display/consumption is illegal, just wanted to double check.

Other general tips/guides on camping at Garner?

Family park/atmosphere
No booze
Keep noise level to a minimum
Water will be freezing
Climb Ol' Baldy
Go to the dance

Low water.
Burn Ban seems to be intermittent. They try to avoid bans in the park, but will if the circumstances demand.
Alcohol can't be consumed in public. You can of course be discreet about it and switch containers and not make a jackass of yourself and they will wink wink at it, but you can't be seen drinking obivously in public.

tent or trailer? I used to camp in the old park growing up, but it's too noisy and crowded there. My favorite spots are now what they call River Crossing and Shady Meadows. Further to the water in SM, but quiet, more private, more shade.

Don't forget all the hiking and biking trails.

[This message has been edited by MouthBQ98 (edited 4/22/2013 2:54p).]

Thanks for the responses. We will be tent camping. I am not sure where we will be exactly, as a friend's parents have reserved a few spots for our group.

It looks like they may be getting some rain this week, so that may help hold off any possible burn bans. Temps look to be in the mid to high 80s during the day this weekend.

As for the cold water, yea, floated the Frio several years back (we stayed in a cabin that time).

Keep 'em coming.

Go to dinner one night at Neal's in Concan, and get the chicken fried steak.

http://www.nealsdiningroom.com/#

Neal's is good, but I would also consider the House Pasture. They have a full bar and usually have concerts on the weekends. Last time I went to Neal's they didn't serve alcohol (if you're concerned about that).

http://www.housepasture.com/

If you want to keep an eye on the river level go here (second chart on the page).

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?site_no=08195000

We float the Frio every year and stay in Concan. My eyes are pretty much glued to this site all spring. Hopefully we get some more rain over the next month or it's going to be a rough floating year.

Great hiking trails in the park.

While you're in the frio canyon area you definitely need to check out

Frio's Dry Fifty - Great T-shirt spot and awesome people. They love to see aggies in the store and are super nice. They also have a neat selection of antiques. My best friend's mom owns the place. Her name is Jody, let her know I sent ya if you decide to stop in.

Neal's Dining Room - Already been mentioned, definitely the best place to eat in town.

Andy's On River Road - Great place to rent tubes, also a good general store and souvenir shop.

House Pasture Cattle Co. - Awesome bar scene if you're interested. I can't recommend the food highly, though.

The Club at Concan - Only golf course in town, I've played it a couple of times and had a lot of fun.

Notes on Garner SP - Arrive early on your arrival date to secure a good spot. They don't reserve specific spaces, i.e. near the river, secluded, whatever you're looking for. Also, make sure to go to the dance, it's awesome, I practically grew up there on summer nights as a kid. The park's alcohol policy prohibits "public display or consumption." I used to be a park ranger for TPWD, so I can tell you with some assurance that typical, mature drinking will 100% ok. Don't expect to be able to sit in the river with a 30 rack of natty lite. If you're interested in that go down river to TX-127 and the river (Concan's 1st Crossing) and go to the Buchanan's property on the south side of the Frio. It's cheaper than neal's lodges, but you can't drive your car as close to the river as you might be able to on the 'Neal's side'. I digress; in the SP, you'll be able to drive say wine with dinner in your campground without any problem.

Y'all will certainly have a blast visiting one of the best parks in the state.

Gig 'Em

[This message has been edited by kevinpresley (edited 4/22/2013 11:03p).]