Where and how can I go Wild Camping?

Question

Preferably during the winter and in the northeast.

Answer 1

Well, if you haven't totally mastered winter camping yet I'd try the Adirondak Loj (yes, that's spelled correctly) near Lake Placid. They have campsites and lean-tos all year and the Loj and High Peaks Center are open if you need a place to warm up or crash (for a fee). If the weather is too bad it's a short drive into town for a hotel.

If you like to backpack, then try any of the cabins on the Long Trail in VT or the huts in the Whites. We hiked a flat 7 miles into Zealand Hut a few years back. There was a cheaper winter rate at the huts..not the extortion rates of the summer. Pitch a tent outside and if the weather is wicked...opt for the hut. I often went to Spuce Peak Cabin in VT between Bromley and Stratton on the LT. It's free. Again, you can camp outside or duck in the cabin if the snow starts falling too much for your taste.

If you have mastered the winter camping arts and want a challenge, then pick up a guidebook for just about any place and go for it.

I always hike in, so my idea of good places may be skewed towards backpacking, but here are some I like.

Moosalamoo/Silver Lake in Vermont; Stratton Pond in VT; Marcy Dam shelters in the High Peaks of NY; Anywhere on the Loyalsock Trail in PA; Putnam Pond area near Lake George is nice too...lots of shelters and campsites to choose from. Great for a weekend snowshoe loop hike.

check out the websites for the ADK, GMC, and AMC for more info:

www.adk.org
www.greenmountainclub.org
www.outdoors.org (I think that's the AMC site)

If you really want wild, then try the wilderness areas in the Green Mountain or White Mountain National Forests...just leave a note with the rangers so they know where to look for your body in the event you don't come back.

Answer 2

You could hike the Wilderness trail near Loon mountain on the Kancamangus highway in NH. Around 7 miles in there are some tent platforms (think it is called Camp 16) you could camp at and the hike is completely flat so it is pretty easy and it is a nice area.

Answer 3

I saw your question and I've decided that I'm going to answer your question by not answering it
I can tell you of those wild woolly winter places but if I sent you to those places and you got killed or worse yet lost body parts to frostbite I would feel bad because i knew better than to send a newbie to a place that he didn't belong.
Before you head out in winter take the time to master your craft in summer and fall

Answer 4

i would try looking at the national or state parks in the area. Most have you get (mostly if not totally) free backcountry permits. If you search for permits or camping on those park sites they will provide you all the info you need for that area.

Stay Warm!