Best Camp Site for Five Lads and Two Dads

Chad asked this question today: I am planning a trip with a friend of mine. Between the two of us, we have five boys, ranging in age from 3 to 11. We'd probably come in May or June on a Sunday morning and leave Monday afternoon, spending one night at a campground. Ideally, we'd like to hike no further than six miles roundtrip due to the three year old. Is there a trail that would show us some great ridge views and then drops down to allow us to camp along a river (the boys' favorite).

Point number one is that there are no "rivers" in the Park. We have some good streams which are all mainly wet weather streams. If we have good rain in May and June, you will have good stream flows. The places most closely meeting your requirements: Savage Falls campsite, do the day loop in to the camp and take the rest of the loop on your way out (or do an out and back on the South Rim trail for some better bluff views); or Alum Gap in from the Greeter Falls parking area.

Savage Falls is more likely to be a better wilderness experience.

There are no campsites along a river and we don't really have any ridge views either (that's the Smokies) but we have some great scenery and wonderful waterfalls. Visit the newly updated photo gallery on the website to see what I mean.

http://www.friendsofscsra.org/park-photos/index.html

Cheers,
Ron Castle