Camping at Green Lake State Park!

Well, as the title says, we camped at Green Lake State Park this weekend. I have some criticisms and some praises. I guess I'll say the bad first (and it's really not that bad).
The camp sites were basically right ontop of one another. I know, it's not uncommon for that to be the case, but most places we've been too have had a layer of trees or brush to separate the camp sites and give some sense of privacy. Not the case here. The other gripe would be that you couldn't swim in the lake or rent kayaks until 11am. Not sure why, but I guess that is just the time the life guards show up as well as other staff. There was a triathlon that first morning, so maybe it was that? You are also not allowed to bring your own kayak. It's a measure to help keep the local ecosystem pure which I am actually for. It would be a complete shame for this lake to be ruined because of invasive species.
The lake has crystal clear water that has a turquoise color to it! So amazing! Also, basically all of the shore, less the one end with the public beach, is a drop off. This lake is 195' deep!!!
Overall we had a great time with absolutely beautiful weather (which never happens for us when we camp, lol). Got a couple of drop dead delicious outdoor dutch oven meals in as well. All in all, I would recommend this park to anyone who hasn't been. It's very beautiful!
Some pics!

Here are some more pics of the lake, plus some shots of the dutch oven meals. I managed to do horizontal beercan chicken in my dutch oven. It was fall off the bone amazing! We also did southern biscuits and gravy for breakfast. Always a winner.

BDinPutnam said:

That's awesome. I can't remember which park it was but the wife and I got a site right on the lake which looked very similar to what you posted here. I want to say Taghanick but I think I'm wrong.

Some of the state parks have walk in "remote" camp sites. One of our favorites was Little Pond- you basically haul your stuff in a wagon/on your back about a quarter mile and you're not on top of anyone else. Little Pond's walk ins are great because they're right on the water, none of them are too crazy far from where you park, and it is QUIET and DARK at night unlike the car camping areas.

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We've camped at Little Pond quite a few times.

BDinPutnam said:

That chicken looks great, btw. What's the recipe?

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Thanks! It came out great. The recipe is something like:
1 onion, chopped
1 lemon, chopped
As much garlic as you want
Garlic powder
Salt
Pepper
Fresh rosemary
Half a stick of butter, melted and rubbed on the chicken...lovingly (I sometimes just put butter under the skin on the breast and legs).
One can of beer (this I added on a whim because I wanted to see if I could do a beercan chicken this way)
If roasting the chicken horizontal, poke three holes in the side of the beercan pour some out into the pan/dutch oven and insert the beercan into the cavity of the chicken.

Cooking:
Sweat the onions and chopped garlic then pour some of the beer in and add the chicken with beercan in, on top of the onions and garlic.
Add in the chopped lemon and sprigs of rosemary. Put the lid on and add coals. DO NOT take the lid off until it's been over an hour. Takes roughly an hour and a half. Keep fresh coals going and swap out old coals. Remember to rotate the lid as well.

masterswimmer said:

@ArmedCorgi looks like a great place to unwind. Thanks for sharing.

Q for you. Why do you rotate the lid on the Dutch oven beer can chicken?

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Rotating the lid helps even out the heat on the food. Like turning your food in the oven to make sure the food is cooking evenly.

masterswimmer said:

I'll buy that.

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I guess I should clarify that you place coals on top of the lid. You have them under as well, but unless you have a grate lifting your food off the bottom of the oven, that is typically for frying something. It's the coals on top that do most of the baking.

Saltwater60 said:

Thanks for sharing. We are going there for labor day I think. I hate being right on top of one another. I just want it quiet so I can sleep. I hate loud drunks. Looks like I probably won’t enjoy this one too much at the campsite. We’re going with a large church group so hopefully we are in the middle and it will be great, if not we’ll it depends on who we’re next to I guess. Going for the lake and the unique ecosystem. It will be neat to see.

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It wasn't that loud. Things seemed to quiet down by quiet hours. If you are going with a group you may have some insulation from any noisy neighbors.