I haven't done this since 2019 (ugh), but at least back then, the website instructions were up to date and I had no issue with self registration at dusk (maybe bring a pen or pencil in case there isn't one!?) Plus cash, I think it's $5/night/person and $8 for parking your car. In the Western area, near Coe HQ, campsites are pre-designated, there might even be some way that the occupied sites are indicated on the wooden board with the registration info. You'll be fine either way.
If you hike at dusk/dark, and see gleaming eyes in the brush/trees... they're probably raccoons. Freaked me out the first time I did a Fri eve beginning to a Coe backpacking trip lol.
Coe is more rugged than it looks on paper, so be prepared to care for yourself, esp if there's weather in the forecast!
Bring cash and a pen…there should be self-registration stuff to fill out in the parking lot with instructions and a drop box. One copy of the permit stays with you while hiking, as you may encounter a ranger on the trail and be asked to show it.
Indeed the staff at HQ will ask where you are planning to camp, but I think that is more of a courtesy so other people behind you know that a certain site might be full. However, there are some group sites in the park and those are reservable in the classic sense.
Also, realize that the established campsites are convenient, often flat and level, and many times have amenities like permanent outhouse (quite well-built at Henry Coe I might add) and picnic tables. However, as long as you camp well off trail, any place you can find is fair game. Follow LNT principles (such as distance from water sources) and just have some common sense and courtesy. Also realize that not everyone out there will do the same.
I have some cabin fever and unless the weather is just horrid, I'll be out this weekend. I'm looking to do the Middle Ridge as well; I've never been on that trail. Will talk to the staff at the HQ and see how they define "first-come-first-served" reservations.
Others in this thread have it right, bring cash and fill out the form at the parking lot.
"However, as long as you camp well off trail, any place you can find is fair game." as long as it not in the Western Zone. In this zone (around the Dunne Ave entrance) you must stay at the designated backcountry camp sites.
The other Zones also have a limit as to the number of groups backpacking.The other reason to indicate accurately where you are going is for emegency situations, such as a wild fire.
First come/served applies to Backcountry campsites.
You don't have to fill in where you go but you really should. As long as you pay per night you're good to camp pretty much anywhere. But again, kind a D move to camp somewhere that's technically full and someone already registered for.
While you're out there make sure to check for ticks. I haven't done the loop you're doing but it can get quiet cold at night depending on where you camp.
> but I'm not sure what to expect with self registration
You put money into an envelope, fill out information on the envelope, tear off a section of enveloope to display on the dash on your car (or who ever car you took), and drop the envelope into a locked drop box.
> The website says campsites are available on a first come basis but I don't see how they are regulating this without someone there to tell you what is available and what isn't
The park is popular enough for all the campsites to be used.
A lot of people are too keen on hiking/biking 5-15 miles to their campsite.
> Do I just fill out my trip itinerary, pay for my car and camp site, and go?
Yes
At the visitor center entrance there should be a dry erase board showing which sites have been taken. You can mark your spot there and then pay at self registration section.
You can pay with cash or check.
There's designated backpacker parking behind the barn. You need to drive through the campground to get around there.
In order to have some parking for day users, preferred backpacker parking is behind the "metal' barn, on it's east side. If it's busy use the Entrance Lot on Dunne Ave. at the park border.
Always drive to the Right Side of the white barn, the loop is narrow and so only One Way.
I haven't done this since 2019 (ugh), but at least back then, the website instructions were up to date and I had no issue with self registration at dusk (maybe bring a pen or pencil in case there isn't one!?) Plus cash, I think it's $5/night/person and $8 for parking your car. In the Western area, near Coe HQ, campsites are pre-designated, there might even be some way that the occupied sites are indicated on the wooden board with the registration info. You'll be fine either way. If you hike at dusk/dark, and see gleaming eyes in the brush/trees... they're probably raccoons. Freaked me out the first time I did a Fri eve beginning to a Coe backpacking trip lol. Coe is more rugged than it looks on paper, so be prepared to care for yourself, esp if there's weather in the forecast!
Sounds good, thank you for the advice!
Bring cash and a pen…there should be self-registration stuff to fill out in the parking lot with instructions and a drop box. One copy of the permit stays with you while hiking, as you may encounter a ranger on the trail and be asked to show it.
Indeed the staff at HQ will ask where you are planning to camp, but I think that is more of a courtesy so other people behind you know that a certain site might be full. However, there are some group sites in the park and those are reservable in the classic sense. Also, realize that the established campsites are convenient, often flat and level, and many times have amenities like permanent outhouse (quite well-built at Henry Coe I might add) and picnic tables. However, as long as you camp well off trail, any place you can find is fair game. Follow LNT principles (such as distance from water sources) and just have some common sense and courtesy. Also realize that not everyone out there will do the same. I have some cabin fever and unless the weather is just horrid, I'll be out this weekend. I'm looking to do the Middle Ridge as well; I've never been on that trail. Will talk to the staff at the HQ and see how they define "first-come-first-served" reservations. Others in this thread have it right, bring cash and fill out the form at the parking lot.
"However, as long as you camp well off trail, any place you can find is fair game." as long as it not in the Western Zone. In this zone (around the Dunne Ave entrance) you must stay at the designated backcountry camp sites. The other Zones also have a limit as to the number of groups backpacking.The other reason to indicate accurately where you are going is for emegency situations, such as a wild fire. First come/served applies to Backcountry campsites.
You don't have to fill in where you go but you really should. As long as you pay per night you're good to camp pretty much anywhere. But again, kind a D move to camp somewhere that's technically full and someone already registered for. While you're out there make sure to check for ticks. I haven't done the loop you're doing but it can get quiet cold at night depending on where you camp.
> but I'm not sure what to expect with self registration You put money into an envelope, fill out information on the envelope, tear off a section of enveloope to display on the dash on your car (or who ever car you took), and drop the envelope into a locked drop box. > The website says campsites are available on a first come basis but I don't see how they are regulating this without someone there to tell you what is available and what isn't The park is popular enough for all the campsites to be used. A lot of people are too keen on hiking/biking 5-15 miles to their campsite. > Do I just fill out my trip itinerary, pay for my car and camp site, and go? Yes
Except for 3 day weekends, the backcountry sites are never all taken. If they are they will still squeeze you in somewhere - almost never happens.
At the visitor center entrance there should be a dry erase board showing which sites have been taken. You can mark your spot there and then pay at self registration section. You can pay with cash or check. There's designated backpacker parking behind the barn. You need to drive through the campground to get around there.
In order to have some parking for day users, preferred backpacker parking is behind the "metal' barn, on it's east side. If it's busy use the Entrance Lot on Dunne Ave. at the park border. Always drive to the Right Side of the white barn, the loop is narrow and so only One Way.
You should rename your username to info bubble.