Camping Question--Fall Creek Falls State Park (buy, cabins, car)

[girlbuffalo1]

Ok so I had this plan that me and the husband and our two small dogs would drive down this weekend (26th/27th) in our Van and would camp in it. As I look at the weather I'm starting to think it will be too cold at night without heat. I've looked into cabins but their are $100 a night at least and do not take dogs. I think it might be too cold for them to stay in the car all night (my one dog is 7lbs and shivers when it's 40 out for a few minutes).

I would be ok with a rustic cabin--no tv/phone/having to use bathhouse as long as it is heated.

Anyone have any ideas--I've been looking for days (as soon as I could see the weather was headed colder).

[TN Tin Man]

If you contact the following link you will get more and better information on the park then contacting the park directly.. Friends of Fall Creek Falls State Park, Inc.

[LABART]

Bring extra blankets and use body heat to stay warm at night, and bring firewood. I do not think that you are allowed to collect firewood within the park.

[An Einnseanair]

If you're sleeping in the van a campfire won't work for sleeping heat.

Will the dog sleep snuggled in your arms? We had a 25-lb mutt that loved sleeping like that. We were camping in Arkansas and the temp surprised us by dropping to the low 40's the first night. The dog generated a LOT of heat.

If that won't work then buy a cheap electric (ceramic, not wire) heater and make sure you get a campsite with a 110 outlet. Run it on low and be VERY careful where you place it to avoid catching the inside of your van on fire. Another option would be a heating pad placed on TOP of your blanket.

[girlbuffalo1]

thanks for the tips--we may be postponing the trip till our next week off (august) as I can suffer through some cold nights but if it's also going to be raining during the day then we won't get to do as much hiking and biking as we'd like and sleep in the cold--doesn't sound very fun.