Dispersed Camp Grounds in the North-East?

[wetwork]

I'm lookin for recommendation on a spot of land somewhere at the outskirts of NYC, that I can pretty much get lost in the woods, pitch my tent and build a fire for a weekend? so any suggestions... hehe

what about personal favorites in the greater northeastern region?

 

[RescueRiley]

For close to NYC it's hard to beat harriman state park It's reall big and conour maps are readily available there are parts that are popular but if you go deep into the interior you might not see a soule the entire time your out Approx 70 miles from NYC limits

 

[andrew7978]

I live in Connecticut and would love to find some very backwoods camping sites, where I won't see a single person the entire weekend. I did some research and found this site. Its pretty good. Sorry in advance to moderators on this forum if I am not supposed to post links.

THis link is great you can search for campgrounds based on what you want at the site.


http://www.reserveamerica.com/


I have not had time to do my research but i too would be interested in knowing about backwoods since there seem to be a lot of people from CT and NE.

 

[kr1]

The Adirondacks, especially the southern part you can get lost in lots of places. Also, my favorite is the White Mountains. An area the size of Rhode Island to get lost in. :thumbup: If you need specifics let me know.

KR

 

[RescueRiley]

Kr both of those places are awesome...SOme of the views in the white mountains are some of the best I've seen.

 

[kr1]

Kr both of those places are awesome...SOme of the views in the white mountains are some of the best I've seen.

I'm lucky enough to have a condo we own about 20 miles south of Mt Washington near the border of Bartlett/Jackson. I love the White Mountains. I have been hiking and camping there for 20 years now. With both the Whites and the 'Dacks the trick is to stay away from Mt Washington and the Northern presidentials and in the 'Dacks to stay away from the High Peaks region with its overcrowding and regulations. If you use the other areas of those places you can easily go for days without seeing anyone. Especially if you go off trail. Bushwhacking is the way to learning land navigation and true enlightenment. Seriously though, why would anyone go into the "wilderness" to be with 10 or 100 other people in areas where the lean tos or huts are? There is nothing wrong with that but I like the wilderness to be alone. Like you said though RR, you do need to make the trip to the peaks at least once, probably it will be with the crowds to see those views. They are spectacular. There are forty-eight 4000 foot or higher peaks in the Whites. Almost all of them have spectacular views if it is a clear day. Many of them you can sometimes have the peaks to yourself, but don't count on it. But to get away from the crowds pick less traveled areas, and the other trick is to go during the week.

KR

 

[wetwork]

Would you know if white mountain is open to dispersed camping this time of the year? sounds good....I agree, I'm really looking forward to some solitude to work on various skills....

should I be looking at this link for more information? http://www.visitwhitemountains.com/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=6

 

[kr1]

Would you know if white mountain is open to dispersed camping this time of the year? sounds good....I agree, I'm really looking forward to some solitude to work on various skills....

should I be looking at this link for more information? http://www.visitwhitemountains.com/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=6

I assume when you say dispersed you mean camping at a place other than an established campground. Is that correct?

If it is then you are in luck. You can camp anywhere in the Whites as long as you are from 200 feet to .25 mile away from waterways and certain trails. You also are not allowed to camp within .25 mile of an established campground and you can't camp above treeline except in the winter under certain conditions. They don't like to see (or catch you) cutting trees but grabbing deadfall is no problem. That really leaves lots of places to camp in an area almost the size of Rhode Island.

White mountain backcountry camping rules

Most of the places they require you to be at least .25 miles away from you will want to be anyway. The reason that rule is in place is because that area gets such heavy use. You will need a map of the forest for these areas to be known to you. If you have any questions feel free to ask. I do lots of camping and hiking in the Whites and have for 20 years. I have also worked with some of the SAR units and other rescue units in the area.

KR

 

[the gimp]

Once a year me and some hunting budies head up to Northern Maine for some pretty remote hunting and camping. We rent a cabin that is about an hour drive from the nearest town (which only had a population of 1200)

The cabins have wood stoves and a propane fridge and lights but no running water or electricity. I have been up there for the past four years and we have gone 7 days without seeing a single other hunter around. It's a long drive though, usually 9-10 hours form Southern CT

Very remote though and a great place to practice wilderness skills. We are actually talking about doing another trip up there just for that purpose without the hunting.

I have also done a lot of Backpacking in the Whites and they are GREAT!!
Also a lot shorter of a drive!!

I can't think of anyplace in CT though that would qualify for remote for me though. All the good spots seem to be out of state.

 

[wetwork]

I assume when you say dispersed you mean camping at a place other than an established campground. Is that correct?

If it is then you are in luck. You can camp anywhere in the Whites as long as you are from 200 feet to .25 mile away from waterways and certain trails. You also are not allowed to camp within .25 mile of an established campground and you can't camp above treeline except in the winter under certain conditions. They don't like to see (or catch you) cutting trees but grabbing deadfall is no problem. That really leaves lots of places to camp in an area almost the size of Rhode Island.

White mountain backcountry camping rules

Most of the places they require you to be at least .25 miles away from you will want to be anyway. The reason that rule is in place is because that area gets such heavy use. You will need a map of the forest for these areas to be known to you. If you have any questions feel free to ask. I do lots of camping and hiking in the Whites and have for 20 years. I have also worked with some of the SAR units and other rescue units in the area.

KR

Yep, that's pretty much the definition I'm looking for...hehe
Thanks for the link, i'll go over the rules and see if I can find a spot or at least look into the rules for other parks.

 

[kr1]

Yep, that's pretty much the definition I'm looking for...hehe
Thanks for the link, i'll go over the rules and see if I can find a spot or at least look into the rules for other parks.

Wetwork,

The White mountain national forest is 4/5 the size of the state of Rhode Island. (1250 square miles) If you can't find a spot, your not really trying.

Stay away from areas higher than around 2500 or 3000 feet. Typically the spruce will be so thick it is very difficult and unpleasant to try to get through areas like that. It can be done, its just not what most consider fun. You want to stay low in the hardwood forests.

The southern 'Dacks (the largest state park in the 48 states) have huge tracks of land (hardwood forest) like this. Great for bushwacking to campsites far, far away from any trail.

KR