The wife, daughter (16 y/o) and I are just starting to get into hiking. This summer we started doing some day trips to the local state parks in our area (Franklin County PA) and a couple of walks over smaller sections of the AT. We have been enjoying the day trips, but now the wife and daughter want to do an overnight trip. While the wife and I were previously in the military many moons ago, all of our recent camping was in an RV, so this is still fairly new territory for us. We have a packable 3 person tent, and other various bits of gear. We are looking to pick up some frame packs and a packable hiking stove.
We are considering our first overnight to be on the walk from Caledonia State part to Pine Grove. This is about a 17 mile walk, we would stop overnight at Birch Run. We are planning on taking the tent just in case the shelter is occupied (plus the wife and daughter want to stay in the tent). Baby steps at first I guess. Due to obligations and the Mother Earth news expo at 7 springs resort, we are looking at making the overnight in October.
Question : Is there a fire pit or fire ring at the Birch Run shelter? I am not real big on a campfire myself, but the wife and daughter are hung up on it (the romance of the outdoors I guess). I told them I wasn’t sure if they were allowed in the state forest or at the shelters. Some reading above about a fire destroying a shelter makes me think it might be ill-advised.
We are hoping this turns into a decent hobby for us. Any advice or info is appreciated.
Thanks,
OJ