Need some help....

[leapnlineman]

First off let me say it looks like you all have a good thing going on with this forum and I have even picked up a few ideas for a fishing forum that I help moderate in the Atlanta area. Here is what I need help with:

I will be meeting my son and his twin 3 year old boys who lives in Knoxville this Friday (9-18 son's birthday) to do our first Grandpa/Son/Grandson Camping/Fishing trip. We decided to meet half way and I have heard about the Chick from several of the members on my forum so it came first to my mind. However neither myself or my son has ever been there and don't know where to camp. I found Harrison Bay State Park doing a web search and it looked like a likely place as it looked like there were several places nearby where I could get my boat and young grandson's off of the main lake and away from any possible heavy boat traffic. My question is about the camping at HBSP, is it a good place to camp and can I beach my boat safely at the campsites? Is there firewood at the park and is there some place close by to get a Tenn. Fishing License? Or would you reccomend some where better to camp? Thanks for any response.

 

[dragfish]

don't know the park that well but is a good clean fascility.Stay on line and you will get a ton of advice-have fun! emoWelcome

 

[Pointer 78]

Harrison Bay State Park is a very good place to camp. My brother drives upfrom Lawrenceburg to spend 2 weeks there every summer. You can buy a license just outside the park entrance. As for beaching your boat at the campsite, it's a crap shoot. You may or may not get a lakefront site and they don't take reservations. Lots of sloughs nearby including the marina area.

 

[Treed1]

HBSP is a great place to camp, everything will be safe. They have a good ramp to launch your boat,you can get your License at the store at the entrance to the park.HBSP has a swimming pool and a large play ground. I don't know about fire wood. Also across the river from HBSP is Chester Frost Park Also a very nice place to camp they have a Beach at the swimming area and several playgrounds for the grand kids. With a nice boat ramp but more boat traffic .It gets very busy on the weekends .Hope this helps


HAVE FUN!!!!

 

[Shankopotamus]

HBSP is a very nice park with great lake access. If you want to camp near your boat,camping area 'C' is the best choice. This area faces the marina in a quiet cove. There are about6 sites on the water there, and those sites are usually the first to go. However, you have a decent lake "view" from a number of other sites in area C. The bathrooms are pretty delapidated in area C. I have left my boat in the water for 10 days camping during the Summer, with no issues. I do recommend you store any expensive gear or electronics in locked compartments, just to keep honest people honest.</p>

Area 'A' has some sites on the water facing the river channel.Along the point the bank is rip-rap, but there are places to tie a boat off toward the back of the small cove, right at your site. Keep in mind the water is MUCH rougher on this side of the park. The bathrooms are much nicer in this area.</p>

As far as the pool, I believe they close it after Labor Day.</p>

If you or your grandsons will be venturing off into the woods, make sure you put on insect repellant. The chiggers will EAT YOU ALIVE! I cannot emphasize this enough!</p>

I really don't remember if they sell firewood as I am there in the dead of Summer, so I don't have a fire burning. You can call the office/ store and they'll be able to tell you all you need to know. </p>

 

[NRG]

During the summer at Chester Frost there is a guy that comes around selling firewood, I dont know if he is there in the fall or not, if you tent camping and the water is still at full pool, the left hand side as you go in there is tent camping area that has a dock. Ive camped there with my family several times. Used the dock to tie my boat up.. its a safe place.. bathrooms are right across the road from the that spot.. but I always bring a emergency porta potty just encase you really have to go and cant wait to get across the road.

Here is some info on Chester Frost
http://www.hamiltontn.gov/parkrec/Maps/CampingMap.aspx
http://www.hamiltontn.gov/parkrec/RulesFees.aspx


There is also Possum Creek and Sale Creek camp grounds not far from Chester Frost.. more secluded yet still safe, but as far as amenities Chester Frost and Harrison bay both have more
here is the link for sale creek and possum creek http://www.possumcreekrv.com/

As far as fire wood .. there are several places on the way to Chester Frost on Hixson Pike that sell fire wood, if the guy that comes around isnt there in the fall, and I have a bunch be happy to give you all you would need or want.
And the fishing License you can pick them up at the Wal-Mart on 153 ..its just past the exit to Hixson Pike,, if you google it you will get a map to it.. If you choose Harrison Bay , you can stop by Hamiltons Sport shop on the way to Harrison Bay to get license , and tackle.

 

[ukfod1]

emoWelcome Right off I cant think any campsites there where you can beach your boat, there maybe some like that, im not sure. I do camp there in the tent sites and it is safe. I have never had any trouble there. The park is clean as are the restroom facilities, and the park rangers make rounds every so often. There is a guy on the road into the park that sells firewood, and I believe he is reasonable on his prices.If you come up hwy58 to the park, hamiltons sport shop is on your right bout a mile or so from the park and I do believe they sales licenses. Hope any of this helps.

 

[leapnlineman]

Hey everyone thanks for all of the replies. You have eased my mind about HBSP it sounds like a good place to camp. My son has now raised another option of Lauderdale Cove at Tellico, which we know nothing about, so I don't no where we will end up. I'm favoring HBSP as that is closer for Grandpa (ME) to drive. Thanks again!!!!

 

[AThornton]

Better fishing on Chick than Tellico

 

[hotrod61]

emoToast emoWelcome

 

[crappiehunter98]

emoWelcome to the forum ! hope you have a great time camping and i agree with XLDVEE the chick is way better fishing!

 

[Ericb]

emoWelcome emoFish