Anyone know any private campgrounds or private land to camp?

[danield157]

Well summer is pretty much over, and I got the itch to go camping again this year. The problem is, I really hate public campgrounds. I prefer to show up at a place with no sign of man, and leave it that way. Does anyone know any private campgrounds or people who have private land that allow campers? I dont mind paying the extra money.

Or what about canoe camping? Where you ride a canoe for days and camp each night?

[fishead]

I used to canoe camp ; about 25 yrs ago , the Wisc. river from Salk city on down was a great trip, used to spend 3 days at a time camping on that streech of water. Another way is to look up canoe clubs around Cicahago like, chicahago land canoeist. Just spend the time and go to one of their meetings and ask.

[abigmeathead]

It is a drive from Chicagoland, but worth the drive. Try Red River Gorge in the Daniel Boone National Forest in Kentucky. From I-65/I-80/94 junction to the exit East of Lexington is about 7 hours (give or take, on a good day ), but it is some of the most beautiful terrain around. Cave Run Lake is about 45 min N/NE, so that may incentive itself. There is excellent fishing for trout along the Red River and Indian Creek, and in Mill Creek Lake in Natural Bridge State Park there are bass, trout, catfish. If you have a canoe or small boat, bring it – you will need it for Mill Creek Lake, as it gets a lot of pressure along the shoreline at the ramp, but due to the terrain surrounding the lake itself, that’s about it. There are signs for no camping along the lake, but once you get back in it, no one would even know you are there. You can camp in Natural Bridge State Park, but it is organized camping (ie, lights out at 11 pm and no alcohol – period ), so I would not recommend it.

There is a $3/night parking fee to park in the Gorge area, but if you find the right spot, you would be hard-pressed to see anyone else the entire weekend. Even if you did, It has the most geological formations per sq. mile anywhere in the world, has rock climbing, rappelling, hiking, etc, and it is all free, minus the overnight parking fee, groceries, firewood, etc. I make 2 trips a year there and it is definitely worth it, in my opinion. If you want more info, drop me a PM.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/boone/districts ... orge.shtml

http://parks.ky.gov/findparks/resortparks/nb/

[uplandk9]

Evergreen lake near bloomington has good primative camping, can even paddle or boat to a few of them.

[labman]

The Shawnee has what you need. Minus the canoe in. More like walk in. Sounds like what your looking for. Or BWCA up north. Did that in May this year. Tough stuff if you plan on getting away from the crowds. Went in 10 miles or so out of Ely.

[Captain Jim]

Labman, is sabill outfiters still there in Ely? Haven't been back there for years, but did plenty of canoe ins there when I was younger.

I just broke out the canoe again last year and did the Desplaines from the WI. line to Libertyville. About 27 miles of paddle, in an afternoon and I was beat! And sunburned!

[Denny]

If your talking summer or warmer weather anyway. Think North and the Sylvania Tract in the UP. North of Eagle River, Wisc. You can paddle in and get a real wilderness experience as close to this area as possible.
Denny

[johnhens]

If your talking summer or warmer weather anyway. Think North and the Sylvania Tract in the UP. North of Eagle River, Wisc. You can paddle in and get a real wilderness experience as close to this area as possible.
Denny

I'll 2nd that, and there are backpacking trails there too.