I made a map showing every primitive campsite I've camped at in my lifetime

[DSettahr]

Over the past few days, I've put together a map showing the location of every primitive campsite that I've camped at in my life time. I thought that this was interesting enough to share.

For the purposes of this exercise, I've defined a "primitive campsite" to be

• Any campsite or shelter with minimal facilities (i.e., outhouse at the very most) that I had to hike into to camp at, including those that were fee use and reservable, or
• Any car camping site, again with minimal facilities, that is available for free, first-come, first-serve use.

Apparently, I need to get out into New England more often.

[geogymn]

I could not open link. Any ideas?

[geogymn]

Never mind...figured it out. Neat map!

[Justin]

Wow, that is awesome!
I have you beat in the Pharaoh’s.

[JohnnyVirgil]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnPL5OXSBNE

[DSettahr]

Originally Posted by Justin

Wow, that is awesome!
I have you beat in the Pharaoh’s.

I don't doubt it. I'd hope to finish 2017 out having stayed in all 6 lean-tos and all 15 designated tent sites on Pharaoh Lake itself, but alas- I'm still 4 tent sites short of that goal.

Originally Posted by JohnnyVirgil

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnPL5OXSBNE

I try. Like I said, I definitely need to spend more time in New England. I head south more than I head east- probably because most of my time for traveling is during the colder months of the year.

[solve4x]

Wow. You must keep a good journal of your travels! Looks like you did the Appalachian Trail...down and back!

[serotonin]

He's a committed individual.
Committed individuals should be committed.

[Scouter]

Originally Posted by DSettahr

Like I said, I definitely need to spend more time in New England.

I endorse Acadia for your future plans.

[DSettahr]

Originally Posted by solve4x

Wow. You must keep a good journal of your travels! Looks like you did the Appalachian Trail...down and back!

You can definitely sort of start to see definition with regards to where backcountry areas are located on the east coast based on the campsite locations. Funny enough, though, even though the campsites obviously follow the spine of the Appalachian Mountains, I've generally actually avoided trips on the AT itself for the most part- in anticipation that I might some day actually hike the trail. In my mind, it makes sense to visit other areas so that if and when I do hike the AT, I'm not just constantly retreading routes I've already taken.

Originally Posted by serotonin

He's a committed individual.
Committed individuals should be committed.

Committed to the woods you mean!

Originally Posted by Scouter

I endorse Acadia for your future plans.

I went there once as a kid, it was definitely a beautiful area that I wouldn't mind visiting again. Is there any backpacking/backcountry camping that can be done there?

Maine in general is a state that I would like to explore more.

[tenderfoot]

Originally Posted by DSettahr

Maine in general is a state that I would like to explore more.

I am pretty intrigued by the Maine Island Trail. Very neat map.

[MaximusFunk24]

I would be very grateful for any details you might remember about the spot outside of Highgate VT near the Missisquoi.

[DSettahr]

Originally Posted by MaximusFunk24

I would be very grateful for any details you might remember about the spot outside of Highgate VT near the Missisquoi.

It was one of the designated tent sites on the Northern Forest Canoe Trail. I spent 2 summers working for the NFCT- one on their trail crew, and a second summer doing data collection for the NFCT maps. Highgate was the site of a work project my first summer and we used the designated site as a base of operations while doing trail work on portage trails in the area.

From what I remember, if you park on Route 207 on the north side of the river, there is an obvious path on the west side of the road (part of the portage trail around Highgate Falls) that leads down to the campsite. If you purchase the NFCT map for that stretch of the trail, I know both the tent site and the portage trail are shown on that. I don't remember if there are any restrictions on the use of the site (my memory is rusty but I want to say that it is on land owned by the town). That information should be included in the NFCT guidebook and/or on the official trail map. The site was OK, not horrible but also not anything special. I do remember that it did not even have the slightest hint of remoteness.

Last year, the NFCT, in cooperation with the USFWS and local towns, undertook a project to remove the East Highgate Dam, which was located not far downstream. The dam was a major hazard, and its removal has improved not just the river ecosystem but also substantially increased the value of the river as a recreational paddling route.

[MaximusFunk24]

Great, thanks for the info. I often visit a friend in Highgate and am happy to now have a camping option nearby with potential canoeing as well.

[DSettahr]

The NFCT has established campsites along the Mississquoi all the way up into Quebec. If you're interested in the possibility of a longer thru-trip along the navigable length of the river, I'd definitely check out their maps and guidebook.