Thru-Paddle Of Stockton - First Leg Camping Near Hawker Point?

[Woodland Artisan]

I'm finally getting down to planning where I'm going to camp on my 4-day thru-paddle of Stockton in a couple more weeks. The first night is going to, probably, be near Hawker Point. Hawker Point is closed for the season, right? Anywhere close to that for a tent for a night and near-ish the water? And, by 'close', I mean kayak close and not jet-boat close. ha!

[Dutch]

As far as I know Hawker like other Stockton COE sites is in the shoulder season. Electricity is on but the water is shut off. Camping is like $5 per night.

[SmallyWally]

Electricity should be off at end of November too.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Why would you not camp in the flood pool plain? That gives you most of the shoreline to camp on and have all the solitude you want.

[Woodland Artisan]

Indeed, Hawkers Point IS open. I just checked the KC COE website and it'll be in its' shoulder season. Not sure what I searched on and found early this morning to find that it was closed, though. I looked up Crabtree and Cedar Ridge and planned to camp at those but, for some reason, saw that Hawkers Point was closed. Oh, well, I'm glad you all set me straight. That'll all work out nicely, then, at about 10 miles between camps. No problem about the electricity or water. Don't need it.

Is it legal to set up a tent camp in the flood pool on Stockton? I have no problem stealth camping, myself, as I regularly do it on rivers and bigger lakes, but that involves pulling up a ways into the treeline. And, I might have someone else with me that wouldn't be interested in doing that (another reason for tent as opposed to the hammock).

[Wayne SW/MO]

Is it legal to set up a tent camp in the flood pool on Stockton? I have no problem stealth camping, myself, as I regularly do it on rivers and bigger lakes, but that involves pulling up a ways into the treeline. And, I might have someone else with me that wouldn't be interested in doing that (another reason for tent as opposed to the hammock).

To the best of my knowledge you can camp anywhere in the flood plain on a COE lake unless it is specifically prohibited. Obviously the area around a marina or campground would be excluded. There's an area on TR that is a low point and very popular with campers, the islands and the old ferry campground see campers from time to time. I'm sure Stockton has many areas suitable and outside of formal camping.

I doubt that anyone would be around, or care, to tell you no if you're on a remote shoreline. At least not anyone with authority.

[Dutch]

Why would you not camp in the flood pool plain? That gives you most of the shoreline to camp on and have all the solitude you want.

He'll have all the solitude that he wants at Hawker's. I doubt anyone else will be there. Cedar Ridge and Rouark East get the shoulder season guests.

[Lead Head]

Hawker and Orleans Trail campgrounds will be closed for a few days for a special deer hunt. I am not sure of the days but I did see a sign at the Hawker Pay Shack a couple days ago, wasn't planning on camping so I didn't pay much attention to the dates. The Corp puts on the hunt so I am sure they can tell you the dates. The hunt used to take place during the youth deer season but this year it is later. I believe camping is only allowed at approved campsites on Stockton lake, not sure. The Corp guys at the office by the dam will be able to tell you for certain.

[Woodland Artisan]

I believe that hunt is on the 9th and 10th, Lead Head. But, I'll call tomorrow and verify. Thanks for the heads-up.

[Lead Head]

Woodland, I live within sight of the lake and if you need help shuttling a vehicle from your starting point to end point let me know. A couple of the more deserted ramps have been having some fuel thefts in the area, the last one I heard of was a couple days ago a co-worker launched at High Point for some bow hunting and came back to an empty fuel tank.