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JustThePilot's avatar
JustThePilot
Explorer
Mar 05, 2014

Forest suggestions?

Hi all, looking to plan a nice camping trip with my family. Does anyone have any suggested areas in Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, or Washington? We really want to go somewhere we can get lost in the trees. If you have any pictures of spots deep in the woods, I'd appreciate it for planning purposes. We went to Packers Cabin in the Siskiyou National Forest when our girls were little and they loved it. We might get a backwoods permit if the right spot calls for it. Thanks in advance.
  • If you go anywhere in the upper peninsula of Michigan you will be in some heavy forested areas. You can drive for many miles and only see a few houses and little traffic. Actually from the central lower peninsula going north is pretty forested . Many small towns, lots of lakes, hiking, kayaking, fishing, canoeing. There are bears, so plan accordingly for proper food storage.
  • How about the Pigeon River Forest in northern Michigan? Several state forest campgrounds in the area and hiking paths as well. Boondocking was free in the past, but the DNR did require that you fill out a permit.

    This area is between Gaylord and Indian River and east of I75. If I can find some pics from our trips in the area I will post them.
  • Great Smoky Mountain NP on the NC-TN line. Mountains and trails all over the place, backcountry camping allowed with permit. The Appalachian Trail starting in GA, ending in Maine, runs the length of the mountain chain, accessible by road in many places. Or for one-day hikes, DuPont State Forest near Brevard, NC. Lots of trails and watefalls, CG's all around the area.

    Jim, "Mo' coffee!"

    On edit: I forgot to mention that there are several areas of Pisgah NF that are accessible from the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC... the Art Loeb trail that crosses the P'way near Devil's Courthouse & Black Balsam trailhead; trails around Mt Mitchell SP; trails around Grandfather Mtn. Stay safe, and have fun!
  • Some friends of ours years ago kept recommending the Chequamegon (sp?) NF in northeast Wisconsin. Depending what you're camping in, that's a thought. (Larger rigs probably won't work there.) No hookups, but then it sounds like the kind of area you are asking about. There should be some neat places in/on the U.P. as well. Nice CG in the woods there is Indian Lake SP, West Unit. Smaller & quieter than the more popular East Unit, has only 20-amp hookups, very wooded, but we were able to fit our 34' TT into a site there.

    The Hoh is nice, in western Washington. (Part of Olympic NP.) Nearby is Forks SP, also a very wooded CG. The Hoh has no hookups; Forks had some electric, I believe. Beautiful spots!
  • You mentioned Washington.
    How about Olympic National Park...Ho Rainforest.
    Lots of secluded, primitive options....

    and you can maybe spot Big Foot. We have seen him a couple of times.

    LINK

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