Winter Camping Areas

[Lonelake]

Like many here, I cannot wait for Winter! That being said, what are some of your favorite spots to Winter Camp? For me, it is the North Shore of Lake Superior, and the BWCAW. I also enjoy a quick trip into our many State Forests. Let us know some spots that you love!

LL

[Heavy Duty]

Its a far drive for me but I really love BWCAW, Chequamegon national forest. I'd really like to get to know the UP a bit better.

[Smoked in Space]

I’ve always wanted to try winter camping in Arizona.
Up to now, superior National Forest in northern Minnesota is my main destination, with my backyard as a possibility as well.

[MizMoosie]

McCormick Tract Wilderness Area, Ottawa NF in the UP. Level trails through a beautiful area in the Huron Mountains. Lots of lake effect snow and remote lakes and streams. https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/otta...a/?recid=12361
Sylvania Wilderness Area, Watersmeet, MI. https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/otta...a/?recid=12331
Washburn County forest, WI. The lakes surrounding the site of the Winter Camping Rendezvous. Area can be accessed off Birchwood fire lane (plowed all winter). If you leave a car along the lane, contact the Washburn Co. Sheriff's office to let them know. Lots of small lakes with LOTS of standing dead hardwoods (maple). https://www.co.washburn.wi.us/images...ry/Unit25c.pdf

[snapper]

While I'd love to enjoy the winter wilds of the mid-west, I still enjoy my time in the Adirondacks & Catskill regions of NYS. I still need to explore the Tug Hill Region as well so there's a lot in my home state that I still need to check out. Not having to drive more than a couple of hours to reaching these areas is a real benefit as well. While we don't have a lot of "lake country" to pull a pulk or toboggan along, with careful trail selection you can avoid the longest and steepest of grinds so fun is still a part of the equation.

That's all for now. Take care and until next time...be well.

snapper

[Azettek]

Hey Lonelake - my thoughts are similar to yours, but just on the northern side of the border! Some amazing experiences along the Superior shore... Have not visited BWCAW/Quetico in winter (lots in summer), but there is a lot of crown land to explore up here and many smaller river systems to try out. Always looking for new loops off the beaten path!

[Winterlover]

Hi everyone, I am looking for suggestions for good hot tent camping areas not too far from the Boston area, ideally not more than a 4 hour drive, but 1 day away is OK too. I have done lots of winter camping in the White Mts of NH, but it's mostly too hilly there to pull a sled. Also they don't want you cutting wood there for the most part. I'm looking for flatter, with it being OK to cut some wood for the stove. Ideally not crowded, with minimal snowmobiles. And OK to camp there of course! What are peoples favorite areas?

[Haggis]

Sure is are a lot of empty places in Northeastern Minnesota,,, tax forfeit land, state land, state forests, National forests, and the BWCA in particular... If a fella is looking for quiet seclusion come winter, it’s findable here...

[Undersky]

Anyone interested in a trip to south central Manitoba? I have been told by a biologist that one large, wild, un-fenced area supports 5 ungulate species: elk, moose, bison, white-tailed deer, and mule deer. Be pretty neat to have a sighting of all five as a trip goal.......besides the on-snow travel, the camping, the story telling, the eating, the eating, the eating ......
Just dreaming!

[FlytoCamp]

I've been interested in that area for a while now. I fear the topography may be rather bland, but the thought of sighting a Bison is exciting. I'm not sure how many bison are left in that area. There's a guy around me that had hunted moose in that area every December for nearly 30 years. He described seeing Bison every year up until about 5 or 6 years ago. Then a sharp decline in both populations. May still be worth a trip though.

Fly

[Arctic Fox]

Generally all of my trips are in NE Minnesota. Most are within the BWCA however I have found that there are many great areas in the SNF which provide just as much solitude and are easier to access. I plan my trips around fishing so I spend a decent amount of time researching lakes and fishing opportunities before I decide on a location.

[JackPine218]

B-Dub, quetico provincial park, porcupine wilderness, Crosby manitou SP, tettagouch SP, Jay Cook SP, Pukaskwa provincial park, sibley (Sleeping giant provincial park), and dispersed sites in Superior and Ottawa NFs. NFs in Montana and Colorado are my only out state winter experience, and I enjoyed them both.

[Coonlakebackwoodsman]

My favorite area to explore is the Superior National Forest. Lots of places to hide. I'm hoping to explore the BWCA more this winter. I like the State Forest idea also. Lots of room to roam and the ability to cut your own wood, with an endless supply.

[takahit]

It is very difficult to find a place that is not heavily snowed in in winter, so it is much better to have an RV that will help keep you warm and flee from the cold. I did so after I found this article: https://campingfunzone.com/2020/07/10/how-much-does-rv-camping-cost-per-night/ . It was important for me to find a reasonably comfortable and inexpensive RV campground. I managed to find a good enough option for me after a few days of earnest searching. I think that auto camping is an excellent idea for those who are just starting out in this business.

[Justin P.]

Here in northern Wisconsin the Chequamegon national forest, state or county forest lands, even some townships have some public forest lands.
Sometimes the ordinances and laws are not exactly clear though, but I've never run into trouble and I never leave anything behind other than foot prints, no fire ring, no firewood, nothing. So even if I do misinterpreted the rules there is nothing else for anyone to be upset about.