Hello, I am new to the site and just getting started with overland camping. I'm planning my first trip and was wondering if anyone could recommend good off road routes in the midwest. I'm a hiker/backpacker and ideally looking for routes to set up a base camp off the beaten path, using it as starting point for day hikes or overnights. I have a stock Jeep Gladiator Overland and looking for some good beginner roads. Any and all suggestions are appreciated!
Good beginner trails in Michigan
- Thread starter Londo Mondo
- Start date
In the lower, the majority is pretty lame in my opinion. Go to the upper and head west, once you get to Marquette...things get better. North of Marquette, or Champion area, or anywhere in the Keweenaw pennisula, or the Porcupine Mountains. All these places/areas offer great hiking/biking/backpacking. There are a couple cool spots to camp on the Grand Marais Truck Trail, right on Superior, and in that area northwest of Paradise.
If you want to head south, about the same drive time away, you have Hocking Hills area and Tar Hallow area. Lots of off roading type of trails/roads. But, most of the property along them is private...so dispersed camping is probably out of the question and l'm unsure about hiking. I stayed at Tar Hallow State Park.
First trip to Tar Hallow...
Not me...lol...but we got it up from its nap and on its way again.
If you're looking for better off roading, 4X4 trails...southeast Ohio.
Michigan is basically this...
Sandy trails with the ocassional mudhole. But, maybe a good place to get your feet wet.
If you want to head south, about the same drive time away, you have Hocking Hills area and Tar Hallow area. Lots of off roading type of trails/roads. But, most of the property along them is private...so dispersed camping is probably out of the question and l'm unsure about hiking. I stayed at Tar Hallow State Park.
First trip to Tar Hallow...
Not me...lol...but we got it up from its nap and on its way again.
If you're looking for better off roading, 4X4 trails...southeast Ohio.
Michigan is basically this...
Sandy trails with the ocassional mudhole. But, maybe a good place to get your feet wet.
If you think Michigan Lower is boring I'm going to say you have never been in the Kalkaska and Grayling areas. It's alot more than flat opens.
Yeah, but you guys are driving Jeeps...so everything is difficult...(100% joking, but couldn't resist...lol)
Glad you're finding interesting stuff. Usually get over to Kal area a couple times a year, and it was spotty to say the least where we went.
But, all good. I've kind of moved away from wheeling in recent years and more into concentrating on overland travel.
Great photos, the one hill top photo is calendar material. Keep on getting after it!
Glad you're finding interesting stuff. Usually get over to Kal area a couple times a year, and it was spotty to say the least where we went.
But, all good. I've kind of moved away from wheeling in recent years and more into concentrating on overland travel.
Great photos, the one hill top photo is calendar material. Keep on getting after it!
Thanks.
I now wheel a LJ and building out a XK (commander) to overland and help launch my Offroad fab shop.
I now wheel a LJ and building out a XK (commander) to overland and help launch my Offroad fab shop.
Thanks all! Interestingly enough I’ve started planning 2 trips for this year… one to the Porkies and the other to Shawnee National Forest! Good to know I’m on the right track!
Contributor II
Not at the moment...but, there's some talk about getting a flag-football team together soon.
Funny story, few years ago, was going to my nieces house for a house warming party. Her and her new husband both went to MSU. I'm walking through their kitchen and they have a MSU calendar on the fridge, with the football team on the cover picture. Immediately stop, my nieces husband sees me eyeing the calendar and says..."Michigan State fan?" Replied, "No, l'm just somewhat surprised...l didn't realize they even had a football team." The look on his face was priceless...lol.
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Contributor II
I am a Buckeye follower but recently believe Michigan is the better team, now that they are playing for the national championship, I still say Ohio State and Michigan game is the most important game of the year, been a tradition longer than most rivalry.
Haven't watched a football game in ten years, pro or college, best decision l've ever made...when l think back of all the Sat. and Sundays wasted. Had no idea we were playing for national title, and just heard the other day the Loins were doing well. I'm happy for them...but could literally careless.
Funny story, few years back, went down to Southern Ohio for a Land Rover Club get together. Great bunch of folks, had a great time...but there was one guy that l could tell immediately disliked me when mentioning l was from Michigan, and he immediately tried to bring up football and his hatred for Michigan and everyone that lived there. Thought to myself...how childish...to hate a whole state and everyone that lived in it...because of a football game, really?
Actually had a similar incident in Denali park, Alaska. I'm in the parking lot, getting ready to go on a hike, making coffee on my coleman and a couple walks up and their checking things out, my sleeping compartment in the rover, so l asked them where they're from..."Ohio". Said, "Well heck, were neighbors...l'm from Michigan!" Woman looked at me, rolled her eyes and said to her husband..."Were done here, ain't talking to no Michigan person." Husband kind of smiled and excused her behavior by saying..."She a big OU fan." Thought to myself, again...what is wrong with people, over a football game, really?
And unfortunately...this same behavior goes both ways...sad really, if you think about it. Know a guy that won't drive through Ohio to get to Florida...drives l don't know how many miles out of his way to go through Indiana. That's, almost, the most ridiculous thing l've ever heard of...lol.
I can understand a little friendly jousting about it...but...hatred...not so much.
Funny story, few years back, went down to Southern Ohio for a Land Rover Club get together. Great bunch of folks, had a great time...but there was one guy that l could tell immediately disliked me when mentioning l was from Michigan, and he immediately tried to bring up football and his hatred for Michigan and everyone that lived there. Thought to myself...how childish...to hate a whole state and everyone that lived in it...because of a football game, really?
Actually had a similar incident in Denali park, Alaska. I'm in the parking lot, getting ready to go on a hike, making coffee on my coleman and a couple walks up and their checking things out, my sleeping compartment in the rover, so l asked them where they're from..."Ohio". Said, "Well heck, were neighbors...l'm from Michigan!" Woman looked at me, rolled her eyes and said to her husband..."Were done here, ain't talking to no Michigan person." Husband kind of smiled and excused her behavior by saying..."She a big OU fan." Thought to myself, again...what is wrong with people, over a football game, really?
And unfortunately...this same behavior goes both ways...sad really, if you think about it. Know a guy that won't drive through Ohio to get to Florida...drives l don't know how many miles out of his way to go through Indiana. That's, almost, the most ridiculous thing l've ever heard of...lol.
I can understand a little friendly jousting about it...but...hatred...not so much.
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Contributor II
My father was a Fred Bear left hand bow tester before compounds came out. Fred mass produced right hand bows bot fewer left hands. He give my dad 12 recurves and my dad would break everyone of them from repeatitive shooting.
I was a Fred bear kid, I be playing in his lab while Fred and my dad were looking at the layers of laminate. I did sit in a ground blind in Grayling Michigan with Fred, I was 8 or 9. He kept telling me to be quiet, lol
I was a Fred bear kid, I be playing in his lab while Fred and my dad were looking at the layers of laminate. I did sit in a ground blind in Grayling Michigan with Fred, I was 8 or 9. He kept telling me to be quiet, lol
That is on a "cool level" like no other! Was fortunate enough to visit the museum in Grayling before they moved it to Florida. It's a shame it left Michigan...it belongs here.
