Unlocking Minnesota's Backpacking Landscape
A Series of Outings | Ways to Camp #6 to #12
The car campground is often stocked with services and amenities, allowing an outdoor experience that remains familiar to your habits at home. Those associated with the most popular parks and lakeshores are busy base camps and home for the whole weekend, or longer. More nomadic adventures are better when linked together with overnights at scenic and comfortable campsites. Some trips are meant to hit the end of a long, unmaintained road - if only for one night.
No matter your style, the Ways of the Car Camper include many benefits. Maximum capacity for toys and equipment. A backup shelter should things hit the fan. Fast and easy access to local area attractions, amenities or resupply runs. An immediate exit strategy.
This series of adventures organizes the Ways of the Car Camper into a sequential order, beginning with the most beginner friendly car camping experience. From the first time camping at a Minnesota state park, then beyond - this guide defines six distinct car camping experiences, and encourages you to participate in them all. The reward for achieving a confident and comfortable night outdoors in each of the six Ways to Car Camp is the total unlocking of Minnesota's public land car camping experiences.
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Outing #1 | A Night, or Weekend in a Modern State Park Campground | Way to Camp #1
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Full Amenities, High Fee, Reservation, Most People, Most Development
Outing #2 | An Amenity Rich Alternative: A Modern National Forest Campground
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Full Amenities, Moderate Fee, No Reservation, More People, More Development
Outing #3 | A 'Rustic' (But All You Really Need) State Forest Campground
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Moderate Amenities, Low Fee, No Reservation, More or Less People, Less Development
Outing #4 | Remote & Rustic Superior National Forest Campground
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Minimal Amenities, No Fee, No Reservation, Less People, Minimal Development
Outing #5 | 'Designated' Dispersed Campsites of Chippewa National Forest
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Minimal Amenities, No Fee, No Reservation, No Other People, Minimal or No Development
Outing #6 | True Dispersed Car Camping
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No Amenities, No Fee, No Reservation, No Other People, No Development
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&
Never been backpack camping before?
Let's try a "shakedown".
Outing #1
Walk-In or Cart-In Sites at a State Park Campground | Way to Camp #
Most Amenities. High Fee. Reservable. More People. Least Distance. Less Remote.
25 out of 75 state parks and recreation areas offer walk-in or cart-in campsites adjacent to their drive-in car campgrounds. In total there are ~175 walk-in campsites. Walk-in sites are no more than a 1/4 mile from the trailhead. Refining and reducing your car camping gear to support easy walk-in and cart-in access with as few trips as possible creates great value.
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More private, spaced-out, secluded and scenic than nearby drive-in campsites.
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Campsite amenities are robust and familiar to rustic car camping drive-in sites.
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Short walks to additional amenities at nearby drive-in car campground.
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Sites are reservable, and require a reservation. This guaranteed site selection is one less unknown.
Best Use: Transition the familiar drive-in car camping experience into a remote camping experience.
Shakedown / Skills & Gear | Minnesota State Parks
Stick to what you know about camping and use the equipment you already have to begin to evaluate:
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Can I carry all of my camping equipment, clothing, food and water into my site in one trip?
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Would it fit into a high volume backpacking pack?
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How many items of your car camping kit need to become lower volume and lighter weight versions in order to assemble a backpack camping kit?
This initial "shakedown", an evaluation of your equipment and techniques will be a lifelong practice as your backpacking develops. Research, experiment, practice and ever improve - whatever that means to you. Commonly, backpacking equipment is lighter weight, lower volume and maybe "less comfortable" than your standard camping gear. Uncommonly, you'll desire an entirely extra selection of all the equipment you already have, so that you can begin exploring the backcountry.
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Tents are lightweight fabrics, low interior volume (no standing room) and few poles for very small packed sizes.
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Sleeping bags have narrower shapes or more expensive fill materials to allow seriously small packed sizes without sacrificing insulation.
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Sleeping pads have the largest conflict between staying low volume versus comfortable.
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Cookstoves and fuel become single, small burners dedicated to boiling water fast - for lightweight dehydrated meal plans.
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Water will be gathered from wild sources, requiring a filtration/treatment device.
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Clothing and fabrics need to pack small, insulate when wet and avoid smelling too bad - synthetic and wool materials might differ from everyday wardrobe.
You will always be improving your collection of gear for higher caliber trips and greater comfort. Don't let all of this keep you from your early backpacking outings. There is plenty to learn by actually exploring and plenty of opportunities to enjoy our public lands with heavy and hard to cinch closed backpacks. We keep the trailhead very
TETTEGOUCHE State Park | Cart-In Campground
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13 cart-in campsites
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On the shore of Lake Superior. Some sites have limited views of the lake, and more can hear the water when there is wave action.
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Shared access to a cobble and boulder shoreline waterfront.
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Communal outhouse vault toilet.
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No potable drinking water in campground, but can be found at park office.
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Campsite Amenities:
☑ Cleared and level tent site is already selected.
☑ Picnic table.
☑ Campfire ring. With grill grate.
Campground Amenities:
☑ Firewood available, for purchase.
☐ Potable drinking water, not in campground.
☑ Outhouse vault toilet.
☑ Park or campground office, with support of staff.
SPLIT ROCK LIGHTHOUSE State Park | Cart-In Campground
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20 cart-in campsites
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On the shore of Lake Superior. Some sites have limited views of the lake, and more can hear the water when there is wave action.
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Communal bathroom building with showers, or outhouse vault toilet.
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Potable drinking water well in campground.
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Campsite Amenities:
☑ Cleared and level tent site is already selected.
☑ Picnic table.
☑ Campfire ring. With grill grate.
Campground Amenities:
☑ Firewood available, for purchase.
☑ Potable drinking water, not in campground.
☑ Outhouse vault toilet.
☑ Park or campground office, with support of staff.
"I have a backpack and everything fits."
Let's hike a little ways then...
Outing #2
A Single Overnight in a State Park Backpack Campsite | Way to Camp #6
Less Distance. Less Remote. More Amenities. High Fee. Reservable. More People.
19 out of 75 state parks and recreation areas offer backpacking campsites away from the developed car campgrounds. In total there are 132+ backpack campsites. These sites require an approach distance greater than 1/4 mile. To access these most comfortably and efficiently, proper backpacking equipment and techniques are necessary, but the investment returns.
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More private, secluded and scenic than car camping.
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Campsite amenities are robust and familiar to rustic car camping drive-in sites.
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Short walks to additional amenities at nearby drive-in car campground.
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Sites are reservable, and require a reservation. This guaranteed site selection is one less unknown.
Best Use: Testing new backpacking equipment and techniques. Scratch the itch with a short and small backpacking sample then use the rest of the your days off for other travel and activities.
Shakedown / Skills & Gear | Minnesota State Parks
To access these most comfortably and efficiently, proper backpacking equipment and techniques are necessary. This is the crash course introduction to many fundamentals.
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How to pack a backpack?
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Does everything fit?
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Is my gear backpacking compatible? Low volume and lightweight?
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How to fit and adjust your backpack?
We're keeping the hiking distance and difficulty low stakes, but enough of a sample to evaluate:
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How is my physical ability and tolerance? Feet?
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Did we forget something in the car? Put on a headlamp and go get it.
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Did we end up bringing things we didn’t use or need? We didn’t carry them for long.
Shelter and Sleep Systems
Resistance to the Element
Water:
No need to treat water when there is a well pump.
Cooking and Meals:
Cook with a backpacking stove and fuel. (Or carry in fresher, heavier, less shelf stable foods - it's only one night.)
Food and Waste Storage
Dishwashing
Hygiene:
Bathrooms present.
Risk Management and Security
Campsite Amenities:
☑ Cleared and level tent site is already selected.
☑ Picnic table.
☑ Campfire ring. With grill grate.
Campground Amenities:
☑ Firewood available, for purchase.
☑ Potable drinking water available, at solar still.
☑ Outhouse vault toilet.
☑ Park or campground office, with support of staff.
Afton State Park | Backpacking Campground
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28 backpacking campsites
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On top of the bluff, away from the St. Croix River.
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Some are shaded and near bluff edge, and are closer together.
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Some are in the open prairie wher full sun can be uncomfortable.
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All are quite private and well spaced and separated.
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There is no drive-in car campground at Afton. This is the only way to camp here.
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Reservations: 100% reservable and required.
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A vehicle entry permit ( windshield sticker) is required to enter the state parks.
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Day passes are $7. Annual permits are $35.
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Nightly rates for these campsites are $20 to $25.
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Additional online reservation fees are $8.
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Operating Season is May through October.
Lake Maria State Park | Backpacking Campsites
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37 drive-in campsites (22 with electricity)
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A scenic and spacious campground tucked between the river and rocky bluffs.
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Campground access to St. Croix River paddling.
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Hiking trails on basalt bluffs and along cliffs, with unique ancient geology.
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Down the street from Taylor's Falls amenities.
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Campsite Amenities:
☑ Cleared and level tent site is already selected.
☑ Picnic table.
☑ Campfire ring. With grill grate.
☑ Pit toilet latrine.
☐ Potable drinking water unavailable.
☑ Park or campground office, with support of staff.
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Reservations: 100% reservable and required.
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A vehicle entry permit ( windshield sticker) is required to enter the state parks.
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Day passes are $7. Annual permits are $35.
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Nightly rates for these campsites are $20 to $25.
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Additional online reservation fees are $8.
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Operating Season is May through October.
☑ A hike in and out... complete.
That was comfortable?
Let’s keep the modern amenities of a developed car campground… but head deeper into the northwoods and avoid the heavy competition of the state park reservation system.
Outing #3
An Weekend Destination: A Backpacking Basecamp | Way to Camp #3
Less Distance. More Remote. Few People.
It's clear now that the ability to hike away from the drive-in campgrounds and trailheads opens up a large number of campsite opportunities. Sometimes the goal is not to traverse the landscape by backpack, but to haul the necessities into a more remote basecamp to support a weekend of relaxation and recreation. Our long distance hiking trails are not the place for this, but other places definitely are.
Some state parks, and especially our two national forests host rustic or primitively developed backpacking trails and campsites that are more remote from trailheads, park and forest facilities and even towns or community amenities. The deeper dive into natural surroundings requires confident and comfortable self-sufficiency but isn't this the intended risk/reward that backpack camping offers? These are the places that wild enough to be worth a weekend long stay.
The Chippewa National Forest has 20 designated backpacking campsites on 6 trails.
The Superior National Forest has 24 designated backpacking campsites on 10 trails.
Minnesota State Parks with a longer trail system or would be worth a weekend destination include; Cascade River, George Crosby Manitou, Itasca and Split Rock Lighthouse.
Shakedown / Skills & Gear | Minnesota State Parks
On this outing, we want to become proficient and reliable with the equipment and skills that will support all future trips. Research the following items and practice them before and while in the field. We're accessing remote places where self-sufficiency is a responsibility, and a great freedom.
Best Use of This Outing: Set up a comfortable backpacking campsite in one place and invest time and attention in workshopping and practicing skills and equipment. Bring extra stuff. Make a multi-sport adventure with a kayak or canoe or fishing kit. Increase your relaxation with reading, wildlife watching, hammock lounging, journaling, etc.
Our hiking distances remain only a few miles from the trailhead, but these trailheads are more remote locations.
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Are we confident in managing risk? Are we prepared to self-evacuate ourselves back to the trailhead in most situations?
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Are we packing reliably and understand how to use our gear?
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Are we comfortable and having fun being off in the wilds?
Campsite amenities are becoming more rustic and primitive:
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We still have picnic tables.
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Outdoor pit latrines will become the norm after this.
As we begin to spend multiple days and multiple nights in the outdoors, we have a greater chance of our brain and body normalizing into a new regimen. If we're avoiding meeting basic needs, let's get comfortable with them:
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Do we sleep better on the second night and beyond?
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Are we practicing Leave No Trace methods of rinsing, bathing, teeth brushing, etc.?
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Are you satisfied with your meal plans? And managing increasing amounts of trash?
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Did you poop??
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Shelter and Sleep Systems:
☐ Don't pitch your shelter where rainwater gathers or drains. Don't pitch below dead trees or tree limbs.
Resistance to the Elements:
☐ Stay warm, stay cool.
☐ Stay dry with rain gear.
☐ Avoid bug bites with a physical barrier like a headnet, along with bug dope products.
Water:
☐ Gather drinking water from a wild source.
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Larger volume and moving water bodies are preferable to smaller and still pools.
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Remove macro detritus and micro contaminants (bacteria, viruses, protozoa) with 0.1 micron water filters, a common feature in the market.
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Research and choose from pump, squeeze or gravity style water filters. Alternative or backup methods include chemical, ultraviolet and boiling.
Cooking and Meals:
☐ Cook with a backpacking stove and fuel.
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Canister fuel backpacking stoves are still allowed when open campfire bans are in effect due to risk of wildfire conditions.
Food and Waste Storage:
☐ Secure all 'smellys' including food, trash and hygiene products in your critter-proof backcountry storage method. Choose from the following:
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Use a bear bag (and tie it off securely).
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Use a bear barrel (and wedge the barrel under a log or something).
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Try a bear hang (if you can find an appropriate location).
☐ Practice Leave No Trace dishwashing methods:
Hygiene:
☐ Bring your backcountry toiletry kit.
☐ Sanitize hands after number twos (norovirus happens after eating your poop particles and is all too common of an ailment in the backcountry).
☐ Rinse off in a lake, stream or river but do not use soaps of any kind in the water.
Risk Management and Security:
☐ Take a wilderness medicine course or workshop. At least, review your medical kit and recognize what is in there and how to use it.
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Very useful additions to a pre-packaged med kit are additional blister care items, a nail clippers and over-the-counter pain relievers that aren't individually wrapped.
☐ Research an alternative communication device to your cell phone, which is unlikely to have service.
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Satellite supported devices for messaging, emergency personal rescue beacons and/or how to operate the emergency function of your cell phone.
George Crosby Manitou State Park | B.P. Campsites
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21 backpacking campsites
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There are a variety of hiking loops under several miles total you can craft here, and can even sample a tiny segment of the Superior Hiking Trail.
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Many of these sites are along the rugged Manitou River with some neighboring whirlpools and cascades.
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The distance from vehicle to campsites is less than a couple of miles, but this park has no permanent visitor center or staff facilities and is considered remote from city and emergency services.
Campsite Amenities:
☑ Cleared and level tent area.
☑ Picnic table.
☑ Campfire ring. With grill grate.
☐ Firewood available, for purchase.
☐ Potable drinking water not provided.
☑ Pit toilet latrine.
☐ No park or campground office, with support of staff.
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Reservations: 100% reservable and required.
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A vehicle entry permit ( windshield sticker) is required to enter the state parks.
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Day passes are $7. Annual permits are $35.
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Nightly rates for these campsites are $20 to $25.
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Additional online reservation fees are $8.
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Operating Season is May through October.
Campsite Amenities:
☑ Cleared and level tent area.
☑ Picnic table.
☑ Campfire ring.
☐ Potable drinking water not provided.
☑ Pit toilet latrine.
☐ No park or campground office, with support of staff.
Hogback Lake Rustic Camp | Superior National Forest
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Hogback Rustic Campground serves as a trailhead to a 5 mile hiking network with
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5 backpacking campsites, less than a 1/2 to 1.5 mile hiking approach.
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On Canal Lake, requires a boat or a short little wading expedition.
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On Scarp Lake (x2)
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On Steer Lake
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On Lupus Lake
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Trail network easily overgrown in summer months but is reasonably navigable.
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Lakes are stocked with trout and connected by portages, so a kayak or canoe after your hike-in makes for a great weekend hang out.
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No reservations. First come, first served.
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No fees or entry permits.
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Operating Season is May through October.
Campsite Amenities:
☑ Cleared and level tent area.
☑ Picnic table.
☑ Campfire ring.
☐ Potable drinking water not provided.
☑ Pit toilet latrine.
☐ No park or campground office, with support of staff.
Astrid TRAIL | Superior National Forest
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A seven mile hiking trail network connecting four small lakes;
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5 backpacking campsites, at a 1/2 to 2.5 mile hiking approach.
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On Maude Lake
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On Astrid Lake (x2)
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On Pauline Lake
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On Nigh Lake
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Trail network easily overgrown in summer months but is reasonably navigable.
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Lakes are stocked with trout and connected by portages, so a kayak or canoe after your hike-in makes for a great weekend hang out.
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No reservations. First come, first served.
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No fees or entry permits.
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Operating Season is May through October.
☑ Outing 3... complete.
More miles, you say?
Outing #4
A Long Weekend: Multiday Backpacking Trail Introduction| Way to Camp #3
There is camping from a backpack, and then there is backpacking. Both grant access to backcountry places but the goal of the latter is to move - racking up the miles and days spent hiking across the landscape.
More Distance. Less Remote.
Our most accessible and popular long distance backpacking trail is The Superior Hiking Trail. This 310 mile hiking trail includes 94 backcountry campsites.
This is a great venue for a first multi-day backpacking trip because it is well-signed and easily navigable with basic trail maps or guidebooks. There is frequent access to trailheads with direct access to Highway 61 and the support of friends, family or emergency services. There are more remote north-end sections and more urban south-end sections but below we'll recommend segments that deliver amazing early backpacking experiences.
More Distance. More Remote.
Alternatively, we have many trails with moderate mileages whose trailheads are farther away from the front country and see less foot traffic than the Superior Hiking Trail. These include:
Trails managed by the National Park Service at Grand Portage National
Shakedown / Skills & Gear | Superior Hiking Trail (Section)
evaluate the impacts of increased distance and duration.
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Was your pack and footwear comfortable enough for increased mileage?
Best Use of This Outing:
Decrease total pack weight, moderately. Refine your packing list with more attention on weight savings, to support longer hiking sessions.
Increase daily mileage. According to your comfort, ability and motivation - what is an expected pace or daily mileage you can use for future planning?
Become proficient at daily building and breaking of camp. The expectation on long-distance hiking trails is to use a campsite for only one night, then move on.
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Are we packing our backpack with accessibility in mind?
Campsites are first come, first served (and no one can be turned away). These are communal spaces that accommodate all arrivals.
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Shared responsibility to keep food, trash and other smellys away from tents and shelters. Don't stash your food bag near somebody elses shelter.
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Maybe announce yourself on the way to the latrine that everyone shares.
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Enjoy the community. Almost everyone at least wants to know how accessible water is up ahead of them and may end their interest in conversation there. But plenty enjoy comparing itineraries and equipment and sharing backstories or other conversation.
Shelter and Sleep Systems:
Resistance to the Elements:
☐ Keep the bug net and rain gear accessible. Can you react to changing conditions while hiking?
Water:
☐ Does your water filter promote easy resupply throughout the day while covering longer distances?
☐ Are you paying attention to and finding water sources when you need them? Do you have a soft bottle or an ability to increase your carried volume during longer stretches without water sources?
Cooking and Meals:
☐ Evaluate your fuel consumption. Hot or cold breakfast? Lunch? Definitely want hot dinner.
☐ Are you meeting caloric needs? Balancing and chaining sugars and carbs and fats/proteins? Do you have an appetite for your food, snacks and drinks?
☐ Are you using a separate scent-lock trash bag to organize waste? Does this system feel clean and organized?
Food and Waste Storage:
☐ Secure all 'smellys' including food, trash and hygiene products in your critter-proof backcountry storage method. Choose from the following:
-
Use a bear bag (and tie it off securely).
-
Use a bear barrel (and wedge the barrel under a log or something).
-
Try a bear hang (if you can find an appropriate location).
☐ Practice Leave No Trace dishwashing methods:
Hygiene:
☐ Bring your backcountry toiletry kit.
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☐ Poop in the woods.
Risk Management and Security:
☐ Take a wilderness medicine course or workshop. At least, review your medical kit and recognize what is in there and how to use it.
-
Very useful additions to a pre-packaged med kit are additional blister care items, a nail clippers and over-the-counter pain relievers that aren't individually wrapped.
☐ Research an alternative communication device to your cell phone, which is unlikely to have service.
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Satellite supported devices for messaging, emergency personal rescue beacons and/or how to operate the emergency function of your cell phone.
More Distance. Less Remote. More Popular.
SECTION | Superior Hiking Trail
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14 Miles | 2-3 days
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A seven mile hiking trail network connecting four small lakes;
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5 backpacking campsites, at a 1/2 to 2.5 mile hiking approach.
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On Maude Lake
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On Astrid Lake (x2)
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On Pauline Lake
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On Nigh Lake
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Trail network easily overgrown in summer months but is reasonably navigable.
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Lakes are stocked with trout and connected by portages, so a kayak or canoe after your hike-in makes for a great weekend hang out.
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Campsite Amenities:
☐ Cleared and level tent areas
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Some are, some are less so.
☑ Campfire ring.
☑ Log or lumber benches of some kind.
☐ Potable drinking water not provided.
☑ Pit toilet latrine.
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First come, first served. But any and all arrivals will share the campsites.
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No fees or entry permits.
More Distance. More Remote. Few People.
ANgleworm TRAIL | Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (S.N.F.)
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14 Miles | 2 days
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This loop surrounds a very long and skinny Angleworm Lake. Just inside the wilderness area, this is a primitive trail but is recognizable and navigation is aided by the nearby orientation of the lake.
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2 backpacking campsites, at
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Campsite Amenities:
☑ Cleared and level tent areas
☑ Campfire ring.
☐ Potable drinking water not provided.
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☑ Gather and treat water from the lake.
☑ Pit toilet latrine.
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Permits are required to enter the Boundary Waters Wilderness. Any overnight hikes from May 1 - September 30 require a quota permit with entry and exit dates. $16 per person, per trip. Find more information and book on Recreation.gov (Select "explore available permits" and select "overnight hiking" in the dropdown for Angleworm Trail.
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Campsites are First Come, First Served.
More Distance. More Remote. Few People.
Grand Portage | National Monument
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17 Miles | 2 Day Round Trip
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8.3 mile daily distance. 950 feet elevation gain.
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Behind the lakefront Visitor Center and fur trade fort reconstruction is a long corridor protecting the route of the historical canoe portage. The scenery isn't crazy spectacular, since the relatively gentle route avoids elevation and swampy low grounds.
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But it's wildly unique to share the walk with so many generations of people from the past, and offers great wildlife encounters (grouse, marten, coyote and maybe moose).
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Upon reaching the Pigeon River where Fort Charlotte once stood is the backcountry campsite with a comfortable river view and soundscape.
Campsite Amenities:
☑ Raised platform tent pads.
☑ Campfire rings.
☑ Picnic tables.
☑ Outhouse vault toilet.
☐ Potable drinking water not provided.
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☑ Gather and treat water from the river.
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Permits are required. Managed by the National Park Service, a free overnight permit can be applied for here. The campsite accommodates up to 9 people per night.
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Specific tent sites are first come, first served.
More Distance. More Remote. Few People.
Kab-Ash Trail | Voyageurs National Park
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20 Miles | 2-3 Days
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Point to point.
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A very new backpacking venue in Minnesota. This national park requires watercraft to access any other camping opportunity besides these sites.
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2 backpacking campsites along the trail.
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Red Pine
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Blueberry Ridge
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Campsite Amenities:
☑ Cleared and level tent area.
☑ Campfire rings.
☐ No latrines.
☐ Potable drinking water not provided.
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☑ Gather and treat water from the river.
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Permits are required. Managed by the National Park Service, a free overnight permit can be applied for here. The campsite accommodates up to 9 people per night.
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Specific tent sites are first come, first served.
☑ Outing 4... complete.
Would you like to turn three days into a whole week?
Outing #5
Thru-Hike A Long Distance Trail | Way to Camp #4
It can take a few days for your mind and body to get into the extremeley rewarding groove of living on a long distance hiking trail. What a bummer when just as that is happening, time is up and it's back to regular programming... Extend the duration of your backpacking trips and begin to traverse wide areas or whole regions. Feel the reward of adding "End to End" completions of trails to your collection by hiking their entire distance.
Motivation to complete includes the best moments a trail can offer, as well as the moments of putting in work or grinding
Section Hiking. More Distance.
A very common practice is to break the longest trails into 5 or 7 or 10 day durations. A bit friendlier to time off from other responsibilities and the maximum carrying capacity of a backpack, you are still cumulatively working towards an end-to-end completion of a long distance trail over multiple trips.
The Superior Hiking Trail recognizes six segments of ~50 miles each. 10 to 15 miles per day is an average distance for many backpackers on this trail, so running into backpackers doing section hikes of different segments is common, and a great goal.
The SHT itself is a segment of the North Country National Scenic Trail, and while completing one simultaneously section hiking another. Still under construction, there is a 180 mile continuous and completed section that makes a great long distance hike.
Thru-Hiking. Most Distance.
There is something extra special about a thru-hike. Hiking end to end in one continuous session is managed by resupplying your consumables at various points.
The North Country National Scenic Trail as a formally recognized route begins in North Dakota and ends at Vermont. These 4,800 miles could take 7 to 9 months , an equal investment to the famous Pacific Crest, Appalachian or Continental Divide Trails. The North Country Trail within Minnesota will clock in around 850 miles.
The Superior Hiking Trail is 296 miles direct between terminuses. Three weeks is a commonly quoted average completion time.
Shakedown / Skills & Gear | Superior Hiking Trail (Section)
evaluate the impacts of increased distance and duration.
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Was your pack and footwear comfortable enough for increased mileage?
Best Use of This Outing:
Advanced logistics;
food resupplies
meal planning
shuttles
hygeine and morale
Shelter and Sleep Systems:
Resistance to the Elements:
☐ Keep the bug net and rain gear accessible. Can you react to changing conditions while hiking?
Water:
☐ Does your water filter promote easy resupply throughout the day while covering longer distances?
☐ Are you paying attention to and finding water sources when you need them? Do you have a soft bottle or an ability to increase your carried volume during longer stretches without water sources?
Cooking and Meals:
☐ Evaluate your fuel consumption. Hot or cold breakfast? Lunch? Definitely want hot dinner.
☐ Are you meeting caloric needs? Balancing and chaining sugars and carbs and fats/proteins? Do you have an appetite for your food, snacks and drinks?
☐ Are you using a separate scent-lock trash bag to organize waste? Does this system feel clean and organized?
Food and Waste Storage:
☐ Secure all 'smellys' including food, trash and hygiene products in your critter-proof backcountry storage method. Choose from the following:
-
Use a bear bag (and tie it off securely).
-
Use a bear barrel (and wedge the barrel under a log or something).
-
Try a bear hang (if you can find an appropriate location).
☐ Practice Leave No Trace dishwashing methods:
Hygiene:
☐ Bring your backcountry toiletry kit.
-
☐ Poop in the woods.
Risk Management and Security:
☐ Take a wilderness medicine course or workshop. At least, review your medical kit and recognize what is in there and how to use it.
-
Very useful additions to a pre-packaged med kit are additional blister care items, a nail clippers and over-the-counter pain relievers that aren't individually wrapped.
☐ Research an alternative communication device to your cell phone, which is unlikely to have service.
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Satellite supported devices for messaging, emergency personal rescue beacons and/or how to operate the emergency function of your cell phone.
☑ Outing 4... complete.
You really want to be dispersed camping? All alone?
There is one more option before we go completely off the beaten path...
Outing #6
The Wilderness Footpaths of Minnesota | Way to Camp #4
It can take a few days for your mind and body to get into the extremeley rewarding groove of living on a long distance hiking trail. What a bummer when just as that is happening, time is up and it's back to regular programming... Extend the duration of your backpacking trips and begin to traverse wide areas or whole regions. Feel the reward of adding "completed" trails to your collection by hiking their entire distance.
Motivation to complete includes the best moments a trail can offer, as well as the moments of putting in work or grinding
Most Remote.
A very common practice is to break the longest trails into 5 or 7 or 10 day durations. A bit friendlier to time off from other responsibilities and the maximum carrying capacity of a backpack, you are still cumulatively working towards an end to end completion of a long distance trail.
Thru-Hiking. Most Distance.
There is something extra special about a through-hike. Hiking end to end in one continuous session is managed by resupplying your consumables at various points. The Superior Hiking Trail
The North Country National Scenic Trail
☑ Outing 5... complete.
That right there? Not a campsite.
You disagree? Well, go ahead and make your own way...
Outing #6
True Dispersed Car Camping in State and National Forests. | Way to Camp #5
Conclusion
☑ Outing 6... complete.
With that, you've completed Ways to Camp #1 through #5.
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Tour the entire Minnesota state park system.
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Use state forest campgrounds to avoid competitive reservations or save a little money.
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Access Voyageur's National Park or the Driftless region's Richard J. Dorer State Forest.
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Explore the vast Arrowhead region and Superior National Forest
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From a modern campground to a remote and secluded campsite.
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Heading into or out of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
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Explore the Chippewa National Forest:
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From modern campgrounds on some of Minnesota's largest lakes,
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Or secluded individual campsites in the wildest pockets of national forest.
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The skills and equipment required to unlock some of these car camping experiences are the exact same backcountry camping skills required to leave the front country roads and trailheads for even greater public land access in Minnesota. Begin a new progression by
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Unlocking Minnesota's Backpack Camping Landscape
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Unlocking Minnesota's Paddle Camping Landscape
Happy Camping.
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