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Camping on the Frío River, as is the case with camping anywhere along a picturesque river, can be quite an experience. Things can change, however, because the “river-centric” adventure of your bachelor days is made very different by virtue of having children. As a parent, you are the matriarch or patriarch of your family. Your job is to make any trip fun and successful, but you also need to make sure everyone is safe.
Your next camp is a little more anxious because it will be near the Frío River. But do yourself and the rest of the family a favor by relaxing a bit. As long as you can have the following information handy and do a little prep work ahead of time, you’ll find that you can start your journey a little better:
1. Your trip will include working with the temperatures during the day and at night. You will experience changes from warm days to cool nights. Being that you are near the Frio river, remember that the word “frio” means cold in Spanish. Temperatures in the water average 70 degrees. Since you have the children, you want them comfortable. Instead of packing large amounts of clothing, why not make a “weather kit” for the car and a bag for everyone? Some all-season clothing and long-sleeved shirts can be a good start.
2. The general idea of etiquette for the people around you seems to be a lost virtue. As such, bad camping etiquette from others is something you may encounter. The Rio Frio is a popular destination for tubing and can attract loud groups and alcohol. When making your arrangements, ask about the types of groups that are scheduled to visit at the same time as your family. Also, when planning your trip, check the available event calendars to try to avoid certain dates.
3. Camping along the Frio River means that you generally won’t have access to the things your children need to survive (or so it seems). Use this trip as an opportunity to take advantage of the area’s fishing, hiking, boating, bike trails, and kayaking! You can even experience the Frio Bat Cave in Concan or head to Uvalde to sweeten things up in the “Honey Capital of the World”.
4. Your family will participate in some serious physical activities, such as walking and biking. You can deal with cuts or scrapes, so have some bandages and hydrogen peroxide to keep things clean and protected. Also, be prepared to treat a sprain or break. Have some basic supplies to help provide hot / cold compresses or stability if the injury is a bit more serious.
5. The Frío River is known for having clear, flowing water, so if swimming is part of your trip’s activities, take precautions. Organizations like American Whitewater deal with the safety of rapids and provide figures on the imminent dangers posed by certain bodies of water. El Frio, for example, is quite safe for everyone, but not without its dangers.
If you are camping on the Frio River, your stay in the Texas Hill Country will be marked by good times and memories to last a lifetime. With a little homework and planning, your camping trip to this part of the Lone Star State won’t be your last.