Snicklefri
I live in Chicago and this summer I would like to go camping, along with hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing, maybe even swimming (Lake Michigan). Is there anywhere less than 2 hours away that you would recommend? (Southern Michigan, Western Indiana, etc)
Answer
Unfortunately there really isn't anything less than two hours away I would recommend. As much as I love the city of Chicago, it is one of the weaker states for outdoor opportunities.
However, there are a couple neat places within a two hour drive. One of them is the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore just over the Indiana border from Chicago. This is a quite scenic area that borders Lake Michigan.
The other recommendation I have is Devils Rock State Park in Wisconsin, northeast of Chicago. This park actually offers some vertical relief with a beautiful lake setting.
I consider those the two best areas within a two hour drive of the city. To get to some real "country" you will need to drive a minimum of five hours from Chicago to the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in Wisconsin. This is the wildest public lands area that is the cloest to Chicago. If you go a little further north you will encoutner the Ottawa National Forest in Michigan which is one step up wilder from that. In the Ottawa National Forest you will find the Sylvania Wilderness (a watery, lake filled canoeing paradise), the Sturgeon Gorge Wilderness and the McCormick Wilderness. These are some truly wild places. Finally, by driving about 7 hours to Lake Superior , you will encounter the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park which is around 50,000 acres with 40,000 acres of wilderness. It containes beaches, waterfalls, cliffs, old growth forests, and great hiking trails. This is the largest wilderness area in the midwest outside of Isle Royale National Park and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.
Unfortunately there really isn't anything less than two hours away I would recommend. As much as I love the city of Chicago, it is one of the weaker states for outdoor opportunities.
However, there are a couple neat places within a two hour drive. One of them is the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore just over the Indiana border from Chicago. This is a quite scenic area that borders Lake Michigan.
The other recommendation I have is Devils Rock State Park in Wisconsin, northeast of Chicago. This park actually offers some vertical relief with a beautiful lake setting.
I consider those the two best areas within a two hour drive of the city. To get to some real "country" you will need to drive a minimum of five hours from Chicago to the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in Wisconsin. This is the wildest public lands area that is the cloest to Chicago. If you go a little further north you will encoutner the Ottawa National Forest in Michigan which is one step up wilder from that. In the Ottawa National Forest you will find the Sylvania Wilderness (a watery, lake filled canoeing paradise), the Sturgeon Gorge Wilderness and the McCormick Wilderness. These are some truly wild places. Finally, by driving about 7 hours to Lake Superior , you will encounter the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park which is around 50,000 acres with 40,000 acres of wilderness. It containes beaches, waterfalls, cliffs, old growth forests, and great hiking trails. This is the largest wilderness area in the midwest outside of Isle Royale National Park and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.
Where can i rent camping gear near Chicago, IL?
no nicknam
I'm finally taking my family on our first camping trip. But I'm on a tight budget and can't afford new camping gear or used for that matter. I looked it up on craigslist and it's still too expensive for me. Is there any place that can rent me the equipment for the weekend?
Answer
I'm not sure exactly what kind of "gear" you need, but try calling REI (Recreation Equipment,inc.)
REI Lincoln Park Store
(312) 951-6020
1466 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60642
I'm pretty sure they rent pup tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, camp stoves, etc. and they have other Chicagoland locations:
Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Northbrook, IL
Schaumburg, IL
_________
and it looks like they are having a free "Camping Basics" event this week (06-04-2012 at the Northbrook location and 06-06-2012 in Schaumburg)
http://www.rei.com/event/39858/session/50453
I'm not sure exactly what kind of "gear" you need, but try calling REI (Recreation Equipment,inc.)
REI Lincoln Park Store
(312) 951-6020
1466 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60642
I'm pretty sure they rent pup tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, camp stoves, etc. and they have other Chicagoland locations:
Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Northbrook, IL
Schaumburg, IL
_________
and it looks like they are having a free "Camping Basics" event this week (06-04-2012 at the Northbrook location and 06-06-2012 in Schaumburg)
http://www.rei.com/event/39858/session/50453
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