Camping Trip Advice (Gun Related)

[NeverAgain26]

We live on the East Coast and my wife's sister and family live on the West Coast. My wife had an idea that our families should meet somewhere in the middle of the U.S. for a week long camping trip. I am looking for somewhere halfway between N.J. and CA for us to camp out. Ideally a State Park.

I would want to bring along a rifle and a handgun which I would )open or concealed) carry.

Can anyone recommend a location somewhere in the middle of the country that might fit the bill? We would be driving there, camping in tents and wanting to do some light hiking while we were there.

My wife's sister has 2 kids 3 and 5 years old, so we can't really do any serious trekking, more like day hikes.

I am sure I can find some places, but I'm concerned about the handgun carry angle and not sure of the rifle angle as far as legality goes. I have seen a lot of stuff on State Parks and about carry but I never paid attention and am confused.

Has anyone had any experience looking into carry in State Parks and can anyone recommend a good place you have been in the middle of the country? If State Parks are a no-no, can anyone recommend another alternative where I can can camp and I can bring and carry my guns with no problems? Thanks in advance for your help.

NA26

 

[jaholder1971]

Maxwell Wildlife refuge in McPherson county, KS. It's located about 25 miles South of I 70 from Salina.

One corner of the refuge has a 100 yard range. In the center of the refuge has McPherson county state lake where I believe they allow camping.

All this is surrounded with wildlife refuge filled with Bison and Elk. There's even a spotting tower to help locate them.

There's lot of small town shopping close by in Lindsborg, McPherson and Salina. Fish, shoot, hit the guns shops in Salina, Gypsum and McPherson.

Google MAxwell Wildlife refuge and see if what pops up fits the bill.

 

[Mark8252]

Camping and Firearms

In Colorado the only place you can camp and have a firearm is a National Forrest. Not only can you have a gun you can shoot it there. You just need to locate the allowed areas to do so. You can camp for free and also gather firewood for free. Perfect setup if you ask me.
State parks and most all private campgrounds do not allow guns or wood gathering and the camping is far from free. Anyone that has ever bought firewood knows that firewood for an evening cost about as much as the camping does.
National Forrests and BLM land rules are usually the same.
Simply do a search for "National Forrest" or "BLM Land" and include the State you are searching in. Example " National Forrest Colorado" .

 

[Hogfan1911]

How "primitive" a campsite are you looking for? There are several places in north central Arkansas along the White River. Near the Allison/Sylamore/Mountain View area, you have the Ozark Nat'l Forest. There's a public (unmanned) rifle & pistol range just a few miles north of this area. If you're camped out in the Forest, firearms shouldn't be a problem. At least the handgun shouldn't. If you go walking around with the rifle you might get accused of poaching, unless it's deer season when you're here. Generally not a good idea to be taking day hikes in the woods during modern gun deer season anywhere, IMO. Plus, if the kids get tired of the tent camping, there's plenty of places in the area that rent cabins.

 

[jeepmor]

I visited Colorado last spring on a statewide snowboarding trek. It was too cold to camp, although I had the gear. However, I found it to be a very gun friendly state as I stopped many, many times looking for 10mm ammo and asked darn near every grocery store clerk or gas station attendant where the sporting goods stores were. Of course, I was no where near Boulder.

I particularly liked the Southern part of the state in the San Juan mountain range. Although, all the mountainous area is quite stunning. The plains part, well, it's just flat and boring, but might offer some good squeak shooting grounds.

Did not know about the state park restrictions, that's nice to know. But being the west, there are oodles of places to just camp and stay out of the bliss ninny type campgrounds. If you have a truck, take it. I took my subaru and could only navigate the gravel roads. There were plenty, but man o' man, if I had my jeep I might not have ever made it back.

BTW, There are several Sportsman Warehouse outfits in Colorado, (I think I visited about 3) good resource for directions to good squeaking grounds and the like. Also a good source for ammo restocking if needed.

 

[Titan6]

I second (third) the Federal Land in Colorado. Stay out of most State Parks as many have prohibitions on firearms. Also unless something has changed recently Arkansas does not allow OC.

 

[lawandorder]

Arkansas State Parks allows CCW in parks except those buildings with an office. Lots of different parks with camping and hiking, check web site for info.

 

[Eyesac]

I agree, state parks just about anywhere have weird gun laws. I'd say find some BLM in a red state and do what you want.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

How "primitive" a campsite are you looking for? There are several places in north central Arkansas along the White River. Near the Allison/Sylamore/Mountain View area, you have the Ozark Nat'l Forest. There's a public (unmanned) rifle & pistol range just a few miles north of this area. If you're camped out in the Forest, firearms shouldn't be a problem. At least the handgun shouldn't.

That's correct.

In addition, Arkansas has the only National Park that permits firearms and hunting -- the Buffalo National River. Your firearms must be unloaded when in a designated camping area, but you can carry along the Buffalo River Trail, and even hunt along that trail.

 

[TallPine]

how about Montana?

about equidistant

 

[davinci]

go rural... nobody gives a darn about what you're carrying if they don't know you're there.
That said, I don't really think anyone cares if you Concealed carry a pistol while hiking.

I'd aim for South dakota if it were me. It's about as desolate a state as they come.

 

[NeverAgain26]

Wow! Thanks for all the responses. I need to print this out and get with my wife and look at all these places.

I am not looking to go too primitive as we have small kids with us and we need to be near stores to re-supply with food.

Anyway, much appreciated all your responses and if I have any more questions, I will post them here.

NA26