[TieOneOnJax]

Me and a few friends will be making the pilgrimage down to ENP to spend a few nights camping in the backcountry. I haven’t been in a few years and I know some storms have come through and caused some damage. I was wondering if anyone has any semi-recent pictures of the ground sites in the northern half of the park. I’m particularly interested in Lostmens5. According to the website, it holds 10 campers but if I recall correctly it’s just two wooden platforms for tents and a picnic table. Not sure how you’d sleep 10 out there without bunk beds but maybe I’m misremembering. There used to be a great website that had photos off all the sites along with some history lessons about them but I think it’s been taken down.

Anyway, if anyone has insight on the ground sites and perhaps a few photos, I’d love to see them! Thanks!

 

[Brandon Alexander]

I camped Lostmen's around New Years. Still 2 platforms and a picnic table. I don't have any photos.

We did share the first night there with another group of campers. with 4 of us there it wasn't crowded. probably would've been rough with more than 6 there. but 8-10 would be doable with the right equipment.

 

[TieOneOnJax]

Thanks, that’s very helpful. we have 6 in our group but it looks like we’ll be sharing with a group of two on night one so it’ll be tight.

Part of the reason I’m hoping for pictures is exactly what you mentioned: equipment selection. I’m hoping I can find a picture to share so they can all have a sense of what type of tent to bring. If someone shows up with a 6 person tent expecting to sleep 2 in it, they’ll be sorely disappointed.

 

[Brandon Alexander]

My buddy and I stayed in my 2 person tent. A marmot tungsten 2p if you want to see dimensions. You probably could fit 3 of them on one platform with a couple beers and some decent planning.

Definitely don't plan on sleeping anyone on the ground. The way the campsite is set up the tides actually come in under the platforms. If it's warm it'll be buggy also.

 

[TieOneOnJax]

My buddy and I stayed in my 2 person tent. A marmot tungsten 2p if you want to see dimensions. You probably could fit 3 of them on one platform with a couple beers and some decent planning.

Definitely don't plan on sleeping anyone on the ground. The way the campsite is set up the tides actually come in under the platforms. If it's warm it'll be buggy also.

Thanks. I’m advocating for a few 2 man tents. If it’s just us we should be able to fit 3 tents on the two platforms with the table and coolers on one. If another group of 4 shows up we’ll be bunking up...

I learned the lesson about the tide rising under the platforms the hard way on my last camping trip. I guess that’s why they put those rickety boards down as a gangplank.

As for bugs, well, yeah. That’s camping in the glades. We’ll have 3 thermacells, a gallon of deet, and bug nets for our faces. Hopefully we’ll get some cooler weather but that’s unlikely for the second week of March.