Backcountry camping in the midwest?

CrossBones · **Posted:** Thu Jan 08, 2009 9:41 pm

Brule River State Forest - Brule, Wisconsin. (north of Hayward west of Rt.27 est of Rt.53).

The requirements are just like most state parks & forests.

You will need a Back Country permit.
You must camp at least one mile from car park areas and at a minimum of 100' ft off any trail.
You must pack out, what you pack in.
You must only collect (burn) downed timber - do NOT cut trees or bushes. Otherwise buy and bring your own fire wood.

There is a 26 mile trail (used by snowmobile's in the winter) thats runs between Brule and St. Croix Lake. It's great! There are black bears and timber wolfs in the Wisconsin north woods. Be prepared. If you don't have experience in this type of setting, I recommend taking someone along who does, and or spend some time with the Rangers to get a clear understanding of what you may encounter.

If you ever want back country (sea)kayak / canoe camping trip suggestions in the midwest, PM me.

bugnout · **Posted:** Thu Jan 08, 2009 10:15 pm

You can camp on parts of the Ice Age Trail.

I think you have to camp 50 ft off the trail in most area's. Area's that run through the state parks have more stringent guidelines. My favorite part is up north of Wausau- in Lincoln and Taylor counties. Woods lake section. Its not heavily used. Areas just west of Milwaukee through Kettering Moraine state park get the heaviest traffic. http://www.iceagetrail.org

Southern Illinois has a number of backpacking trails, I haven't tried these yet.

CrossBones · **Posted:** Fri Jan 09, 2009 1:52 pm

Not sure? I've done it once during the summer. Google the site (Brule State Park) for more info?

jeepmedic · **Posted:** Mon Jan 12, 2009 11:45 pm

Buckhorn State Park, near Neceda WI. You can only hike back about a 1/2 hour into the woods. I believe there is also back country hiking @ the Porcupine Mountians, by Munising MI, in the U.P. (400 miles N of me...)

Pic below of the Porcupine Mountains..Pretty far North. The next stop is through Lake Superior, then CANADA !

After my wife and I graduated paramedic school we went hiking for a week on the Appalachian Trail (AT). It was absolutly awesome. We started in Pisgah, NC and did an out and back.

Highly recommend it !!

jeepmedic · **Posted:** Tue Jan 13, 2009 2:38 pm

My advise.....comfy boots, comfy high quality pack, and good hiking poles.

QuestMan · **Posted:** Wed Jan 14, 2009 1:00 am

Porcupine Mountain State park is near Ontonagon, Mi, close to the Wisconsin border. Pictured Rocks Nat'l Lakeshore is near Munising, about 180 miles east. BOTH areas have backcountry camping, and BOTH are worth seeing.

(Sorry. But I do a LOT of aimless driving........

)

jeepmedic · **Posted:** Thu Jan 15, 2009 4:45 pm

Quote:

Pictured Rocks Nat'l Lakeshore is near Munising

My pics above were from there...absolutely beautiful ! We go ice climbing every Feb up there and stay in Munising. Great town. Plus, you get to drive through Portage, home of the "out house classic." :shock:

Anyways I have LEKI Ti antishock poles and they work great. I don't know what they cost, got them a few years as a gift. They really help though.

Backcountry camping in the midwest?

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