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Old 06-28-2013, 10:36 AM
 
6 posts, read 9,934 times
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My buddy and I want to take a drive from Chicago and do a little primitive/rustic camping next weekend. We would like to do 2 days of hiking preferable around a lake or river and avoid camp sites. We want a very primitive experience. Finally, we don't want to drive more than 4 hours from chicago. Any suggestions?????????
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Old 06-28-2013, 11:55 AM
 
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More than 4 hours, unfortunately, North Manitou Island, part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Wilderness style camping and a boat (ferry) ride!
North Manitou Island - Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
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Old 06-28-2013, 11:57 AM
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cosmicrowbar View Post
More than 4 hours, unfortunately, North Manitou Island, part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Wilderness style camping and a boat (ferry) ride!
North Manitou Island - Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
That looks GREAT! Unfortunately, I need to preserve my vacation days for later in the year. Do you have any other recommendations in the area?
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Old 06-28-2013, 12:24 PM
 
Location: On the brink of WWIII
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May be you can find one here?

Rustic Camping in Michigan
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Old 06-28-2013, 02:08 PM
 
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Check out Lake Michigan Recreation Area, it's part of the Manistee National Forest, it's near Lake Michigan and rustic. Just north of Ludington so it should be about a 4 hour drive.
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Old 06-28-2013, 02:44 PM
 
Location: west mich
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Michigan isn't especially rustic until north of Ludington.
Here you can search trails by county.
DNR Trail/Pathway Search

There is so much information on the North Country National Scenic Trail - Michigan section. You can camp in the parts which go through state and national forests. I like the Tippy Dam Pond to Hodenpyl Pond section which parallels the Manistee River.
Some tidbits from the area.
North Country Trail (NCT) - Michigan Section | Morenci Michigan Hikes | Trails.com
Manistee River Trail - Manistee National Forest - MichiganTrailMaps.com
North Country Trail - Manistee - Reviews of North Country Trail - TripAdvisor
http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/hmnf/...a/?recid=18684

Descriptions of various sections.
Michigan - Nctguide

Dispersed camping is allowed in state and national forests.
http://www.hikingmichigan.com/PDFinf...ngAnywhere.pdf
Huron-Manistee National Forests - Camping & Cabinsispersed Camping

Satellite view. https://maps.google.com/?ll=44.30591...28374&t=h&z=12

Last edited by detwahDJ; 06-28-2013 at 03:10 PM..
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Old 06-28-2013, 02:58 PM
 
Location: Marquette, MI
351 posts, read 797,265 times
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might be closer to 6 hours away but well worth it:
Porcupine Mountains | Ontonagon, MI

a bit further with a boat ride:
Isle Royale Line | Ferry Service to Isle Royale | From Copper Harbor, MI
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Old 06-28-2013, 03:05 PM
 
Location: west mich
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Another option is the Ludington area Nordhouse wilderness - you're never far from Lake Michigan. The trails are in the adjacent forest.
Hiking in the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area
Michigan's Nordhouse Dunes | Backpacker Magazine
Nordhouse Dunes Map and Guide
Nordhouse Dunes « Every Little Thing

Satellite view. https://maps.google.com/?ll=44.09054...28374&t=h&z=12

Just found some nice photos of the area, at least the dunes part. http://www-personal.umich.edu/~jense...008/nordhouse/
Can't find a good trail map online, but I know such publications exist.

Last edited by detwahDJ; 06-28-2013 at 03:28 PM..
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Old 06-28-2013, 03:15 PM
 
Location: Loving life in Gaylord!
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May be a bit further then you like, but WELL worth it!

Campground Details - AUSABLE RIVER CAMPING, MI - ReserveAmerica - [NRSO]
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