backpack camping eastern pa image
Michael T
I'm trying to find the better places for 4 or 5 of us to rent kayaks, go down a river, find a spot to camp for 2 nights, then travel down the river to be picked up again, shuttled back to the cars.
The issue I'm finding, is every place says they offer the best.
Not every place is clear on what the camping is like. We want some privacy. I've seen the rivers where the campsites are just an open area with 40 different tents all next to each other. I don't mind if I can see their fire through the woods at night, but I don't want to be close enough to hear them brush their teeth.
Price: I understand kayak rental fees, and the shuttle fees, but some prices seem way too high I've seen. 5 people with per person fees stacks up fast. Does anyone know a way to avoid some of the prices? Any tips or do it yourself methods would be a great help. We will have 2 cars with us.
Distance: We're from Boston area. driving a few hours is expected. But I would try to keep it under 5 hours away. That gets us as far as Moosehorn in Maine/Keene NY/ and the Canada border for NH and VT.
I've gone camping all my life, but mostly in campgrounds (Pawtuckaway State Park NH).
I did an overnight kayak trip down the Saco river, only to learn it wasn't quite as described... I had no idea it was a college party river. Once you get past the college kids, it is all houses along the river and was very difficult to find a spot to camp. That is what I REALLY want to avoid.
I've backpacked into the white mountains and camped in a natural clearing. This was the best experience. I'm looking to get something similar with the kayak trip.
Answer
Like Chris says, "best" is pretty subjective. You really don't say what kind of paddling you want to do. My suggestions would be the Adirondacks, though that will be mostly lake to lake paddling with portages. If you are willing to drive a little farther (6 or 7 hours) the Water Trail on the West Branch of the Susquehanna is a great paddle. McCracken's in Shawville PA (7 hours west of you off I-80 in Pennsylavania) rents kayaks fairly reasonably and will also shuttle you from any point you wish to travel. The river mostly traverses fairly deep wooded canyons from Shawville down. The Lumber Heritage Foundation publishes an excellent paddling guide to the over 200 miles of the Water Trail. There are lots of secluded camping areas along the river. Similar routes are available on the nearer Main branch of the Susquehanna in Eastern PA but the region is not as wooded and remote. I think the Susquehanna is one of the finest wild rivers in the Northeast. But then it may be because it flows right past our farm and we often kayak it.
http://www.lumberheritage.org/watertrailmap1.htm
Like Chris says, "best" is pretty subjective. You really don't say what kind of paddling you want to do. My suggestions would be the Adirondacks, though that will be mostly lake to lake paddling with portages. If you are willing to drive a little farther (6 or 7 hours) the Water Trail on the West Branch of the Susquehanna is a great paddle. McCracken's in Shawville PA (7 hours west of you off I-80 in Pennsylavania) rents kayaks fairly reasonably and will also shuttle you from any point you wish to travel. The river mostly traverses fairly deep wooded canyons from Shawville down. The Lumber Heritage Foundation publishes an excellent paddling guide to the over 200 miles of the Water Trail. There are lots of secluded camping areas along the river. Similar routes are available on the nearer Main branch of the Susquehanna in Eastern PA but the region is not as wooded and remote. I think the Susquehanna is one of the finest wild rivers in the Northeast. But then it may be because it flows right past our farm and we often kayak it.
http://www.lumberheritage.org/watertrailmap1.htm
Going camping/hiking in the snow?!?
Kitty Kat
So me and my two sons who are both 15 live in dc. We want to go on a hiking trip in the snow somewhere very foresty and isolated. It would be a 2 night trip. We would camp out and bring our own food. Where should we go?
Im a father, and we all run a lot so trail difficulty is not a problem, also trails that gain altitude and may provide views are better!
Answer
I live in southwest PA and have winter camped in a number of areas not that far from you. Shenandoah national Park in Virginia is one but my preference is for the many trails in the mountains of the Monongahela National Forest in east central West Virginia. The area called The Roaring Plains has some wonderful trails, also the Spruce Knob, Dolly Sods, Cranberry Backcountry and Seneca Creek backpacking trails. You do need to check snow levels -- for some trails you might need to rent or bring snowhshoes if the pack is deep enough later in the season.
As you can see in the photos in this link to trail information there, it really is a beautiful place in the winter:
http://www.pocahontascountywv.com/skiing_winter_recreation.aspx
And here is the Wikipedia entry about the Roaring Plains. Most people don't realize it is the largest and highest wild plateau in the Eastern US. Really a little known gem for wilderness hiking and backpacking:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roaring_Plains
You can see how wonderful the views are from the ridges, yet there are sheltered areas great for campsites.
This book, the hiking guide to the area, is excellent and will give you maps and campsite recommendations as well as the names of outfitters in the area who can give you good information.
http://www.amazon.com/Monongahela-National-Forest-Hiking-Guide/dp/0961655313
I have winter camped in the Rockies out west, from New Mexico to British Columbia, as well as the Adirondacks in NY and White Mountains in New Hamphire, but I get just as great a wilderness experience in the highlands of West Virginia and it is much easier to get there. The WV highways are very good and they keep them clear in the winter. I know that you and your boys will love it there.
I live in southwest PA and have winter camped in a number of areas not that far from you. Shenandoah national Park in Virginia is one but my preference is for the many trails in the mountains of the Monongahela National Forest in east central West Virginia. The area called The Roaring Plains has some wonderful trails, also the Spruce Knob, Dolly Sods, Cranberry Backcountry and Seneca Creek backpacking trails. You do need to check snow levels -- for some trails you might need to rent or bring snowhshoes if the pack is deep enough later in the season.
As you can see in the photos in this link to trail information there, it really is a beautiful place in the winter:
http://www.pocahontascountywv.com/skiing_winter_recreation.aspx
And here is the Wikipedia entry about the Roaring Plains. Most people don't realize it is the largest and highest wild plateau in the Eastern US. Really a little known gem for wilderness hiking and backpacking:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roaring_Plains
You can see how wonderful the views are from the ridges, yet there are sheltered areas great for campsites.
This book, the hiking guide to the area, is excellent and will give you maps and campsite recommendations as well as the names of outfitters in the area who can give you good information.
http://www.amazon.com/Monongahela-National-Forest-Hiking-Guide/dp/0961655313
I have winter camped in the Rockies out west, from New Mexico to British Columbia, as well as the Adirondacks in NY and White Mountains in New Hamphire, but I get just as great a wilderness experience in the highlands of West Virginia and it is much easier to get there. The WV highways are very good and they keep them clear in the winter. I know that you and your boys will love it there.
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Title Post: Best overnight Kayak trip in NH/ME/VT/NY?
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Rating: 95% based on 981 ratings. 4,6 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
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