Hey guys. I'm in Milwaukee Wisconsin, and I'm looking for a place to go stealth hanging legally. I know KMNU has the shelters, but I've been there and done that. Looking for ideas of where to go within about 5 hours. I was thinking of NNF, but wasn't sure. Thoughts, ideas, comments??
It's at about the end of your trip limit but anywhere up north here. All the national forests up here allow you to back country camp anywhere you want as long as you follow the basic rules. I "stealth" camp in the Chequamegon NF quite a lot though I am still using the North Country Trail. You can also "stealth" camp in the porcupine mountains state forest or Sylvania Wilderness area. The Nicolet would be the closest NF option but I find its more of a playground for campers with Toys but if you're not attached to trails there's many places to just disappear into the woods. I've often off trail camped in the Jones Spring area but you can run into a lot of day hikers.
Dispersed camping in Sylvania is only allowed at designated campsites, so you would have to be very stealthyits a beautiful area though. After sept 30th none of the remote campsites are reservable. The NNF would be a good place and within 5 hours.
Oops my bad on that one. I should have double checked the regulations. I guess I won't be hanging next to the water on Loon Lake anymore. I generally go before or after the hordes and self permit.Originally Posted by massie17
Dispersed camping in Sylvania is only allowed at designated campsites, so you would have to be very stealthy
Also I don't care if there are trails. That's why I bought a GPS. And speaking of that, anyone have any GPS routes for a good hike in the suggested areas?
You will!In dense forest with thick underbrush you'd be very lucky with a heroic effort to average 1/2 mph. Sometimes that is fun... most times, not so much. A long time ago I used to scoff at trails. The older I get, the more I'm starting to appreciate 'em.
Strongly recommend bringing a good compass and topos also. They never run out of batteries!That's why I bought a GPS.
Personally, never used a GPS. Compass and topos have got me through just fine for thirty years. C-N, BWCA, etc.
(insert pithy quote here)
Dense underbrush is why I have a machete. Well, that and the zombie apocalypse…. And yes, I'm joking. Mostly. Yes, some trails would be good, but if possible, I have no problem wandering around.
And yes, I should take a compass and topo. But honestly, I don't know how to use them. I can read a map just fine, but not sue how to use map and compass together. I know, learn. I will. Until them I have a gps, my cellphone with maps, and a battery charger unit.
Plus, I'm not looking at doing long hikes. I've watched Sintax77 and Shugs videos on YouTube, but the most I ever hiked was 7 miles.
Im going there in a couple weeks, i would rather be able to make a camp wherever you find suitable like the remote pass only areas in the BWCA but i am sure they are worried about people who dont get the concept of leave no trace.
I guess it's not really stealth camping I'm looking at. Just something that's first come first serve I guess. Nothing I have to reserve. Walk until I'm tired or find a pretty spot and hang.
Perhaps off your thread, but this nails it. What kind of deal is it when you want to "get a way from it all" and you need to make reservations? Yowh! I have considered myself a stealth camper for years--not so much because I'm committed to the illegal or on the run, but I just hate calling the Parks Dept to make a reservation to get the hell out of town. My sense on things is that in all cases I should be LNT when I'm outdoors, and if I practice that approach, it doesn't matter where I sleep. And its worked for me...
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