Usually on the AT a tarp tent that relies on being staked out to give its structure is a good thing. Even on wooden tent platforms, there are usually hooks, or you can bring small cup hooks from home and rig something ...
... But what about when you go car camping on a gravel tent pad? What then?
I ask because I'm taking my mother out for a trip on Feb 27 - March 1 and the NC State Park we are headed to only has gravel tent pads. Am I SOL? Do I have to dig up one of my previously used, and now buried-in-the-back-of-the-gear-closet freestanding tents?
(Aside: Anyone else in NC want to meet us at Moses Cohn for dayhikes and general camping cheer?)