AboutWounded Knee Expertise I can advise on anything having to do with hiking and backpacking skills and equipment, including map and compass and orienteering skills. I cannot advise on the use of GPS devices. I cannot advise on car camping or group camping (10 or more people). My primary geographic expertise is in the US Northeast, but I know how to find information on hiking and backpacking just about anywhere.
Experience I've been hiking and backpacking for about 40 years, including ongoing section hiking of the Appalachian Trail (almost 1300 miles so far). I have hiked extensively in the New York Metropolitan Area, as well as various other areas from Virginia north, including upstate New York, New England, and Eastern Canada.
Publications New York Walk Book, 7th Ed. New Jersey Walk Book, 2nd Ed.
Education/Credentials Not applicable to this area of expertise.
Question QUESTION: Hello,
I am looking for a secluded, wilderness-y place to tent camp within a few hours from either Philadelphia, PA, or Long Island, NY (where my friend lives.) I've been looking online but I don't really trust websites to convey the atmosphere of a place to camp. Is there a place you could suggest with a private feel and beautiful scenery? Thanks!
ANSWER: I need some clarification on your question. When you say "tent camp", do you mean someplace that you would drive to and set up camp? Like a campground environment? Or do you mean someplace that you'd hike some distance into from a parking area? If we're looking at the first option, then I can't really help you, since I don't do that kind of camping. If we're talking about the second option -- backpacking to a particular site -- I'll still need a bit more information, like the distance that you and your friend feel able to hike to get to your campsite.
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QUESTION: OK, a hike and camp is more like what I'm talking about, although since we're looking for a leisurely trip I'd like to keep it a relatively short one. If this still isn't enough info, just make a few suggestions. Thanks!
Answer Here is what you need to understand about any backpacking experience that's within a coupe of hours of a major metropolitan area (NYC or Philadelphia in your case). The population density in these areas is such that the best you can hope to achieve is only relative seclusion. Regardless of where you go, there will always be other folks in the area, especially if you don't want to hike any great distance from your parking area. In the NYC area, almost any point on a trail is at most 2-3 miles from a road crossing/parking area. Most of what I know in the Philly area is the Appalachian Trail, which passes within 1 1/2 - 2 hours of the city. Again, no part of the trail is any great distance from a road crossing anywhere along the 200+ miles of its course through the state of Pennsylvania. Even in the more isolated hiking and backpacking areas, you can find yourself meeting lots of other hikers, seeking the same seclusion the you are pursuing.
A few things that you can do to decrease the likelihood that you'll run into other hikers:
1. Hike/camp in cooler weather.
2. Go places that have no water (obviously, you'll have to pack in your own)
3. If you're an experienced hiker and feel confident about doing this, hike on unmarked trails and woods roads.
Have you looked at some of my recent answers? I've had a lot of questions on this topic recently, and you might find some useful information in what I've suggested to other questioners.
Feel free to send me a follow-up if you want more specific information.
