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Off pavement travel/dispersed camping in Pennsylvania. Or anywhere

devildodge

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Yeah. Too many people at the campgrounds.so we went to the forest.

We will be back at the campground next weekend. Then hoping to do every other in the forest. Sometimes with the camper and most with the tent.
 

LoNeStAr

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Have you taken the camper into the forest or is it to narrow? Just curious what dry camping is like on the east coast.
 

devildodge

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Have you taken the camper into the forest or is it to narrow? Just curious what dry camping is like on the east coast.
Yes. We have. We have a trip with the camper planned for the week before Memorial day. Some of the sites are tent only. But there a few that are for trailers...mainly set up for the horse riders.

Most of them are in the valley and on the regular forest roads.

The one we were just at is tenting only. It is at the top of the mountain. There are some pretty sharp switchbacks and one lane only going up.

We took a drivable trail out across the top and down to the valley to where there are 3 trailer sites. You could not take a regular travel trailer on the drivable trail...but you can head further out the township road and have easy access to them.

There are also 3 state parks in the forest for people who need electric and restrooms near by.

We checked on a great site for our camper in Bald Eagle SF. We usually take the camper to Rothrock SF as there is easier access.

Thinking about getting an off grid trailer...if we every get tired of our faithful ole camper.
 

LoNeStAr

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have You started your search for an off grid camper? What are you looking for in the camper?
 

devildodge

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I looked at black series. Saw the price and changed my mind. Other than google searches, I have not really delved into it much.

Looked at the forest river no boundaries...leaning towards something like that.

Have also looked at mission overland...if we get a Powerwagon...they may be on the list.

Our current camper just sits too low, and is too old to modify for the off road. But otherwise it is just fine.

Not real sure what I am looking for. Just boredom at work led me to research which led me to all the pictures of overbuilt rigs and pricey trailers.

Any thoughts
 

LoNeStAr

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I am leaning Rockwood Mini Lite. You can get the Sport Package (I think that is what it is called) has more ground clearance than normal Rockwood and comes with an all terrain tire. 30# propane, decent solar package if you get the 12v fridge and solar is expandable. Also I like the tank sizes for a trailer under 26’. The 2506s has 54g fresh, 60g gray, 30g black.
 

devildodge

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Spent another weekend in the Forest. Same place as last time. It is much more green and muddy.

A guy slid off the road...not sure how...but he managed. Took 2 wreckers to get him out.

We packed up the pouring rain at 37 degrees. Still better than being near civilization.

We also found a geocache near where we camped.
 

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MG99

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Went upstate NY last weekend and rented a farmhouse for a family get together. It was close to the Vermont border so I took the opportunity to check out some camp sites in the Green Mountains for future adventures. It was muddy and rainy but I had some (safe) fun with the truck. Unfortunately the specific fire service road I wanted to check out was closed. But we found a hiking trail head and walked a little. It was nice to be in the woods, just us, and fresh mountain air. Hope to camp in VT this year, it was beautiful.
 

devildodge

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Went upstate NY last weekend and rented a farmhouse for a family get together. It was close to the Vermont border so I took the opportunity to check out some camp sites in the Green Mountains for future adventures. It was muddy and rainy but I had some (safe) fun with the truck. Unfortunately the specific fire service road I wanted to check out was closed. But we found a hiking trail head and walked a little. It was nice to be in the woods, just us, and fresh mountain air. Hope to camp in VT this year, it was beautiful.
Awesome. I hope to get up to VT NH and ME sometime in the future. Looks like a great time was had
 

devildodge

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Did some off pavement travel dispersed camping this weekend.

4 days in Rothrock State Forest.
 

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devildodge

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Spent another weekend in the forest. Pretty sure this is my favorite site and area so far. Absolute darkness and almost completely quiet (airplanes and the very distant car).

My son and I did a great deal of hiking and bouldering. Used muscles I forgot were attached to me.

This is definitely a fall trip as the scenery at the top of the ridge will be gorgeous with fall colors.
 

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devildodge

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Any one that may be interested in getting into "overlanding" in the Northeast...specifically Central PA...i got a route for you to check out what is offered. This is also a great fall foliage trip as it takes you to all the vistas in the area.


FALL FOLIAGE, VISTAS AND 4X4 HC TRAILS

I have had both my RAM 2500 and Jeep Cherokee on these trails. So they are Full size and cute ute friendly. Expect pinstripes on full size and Poe Paddy drive will take a bit of skill in a cute Ute.

There should be no need for recovery gear...but I highly recommend a full size spare and tire plug kit.

Obviously the autumn colors will be all around you...but this also hits all the vistas and four of the 4x4 High Clearance Trails...in what is probably the most popular part of BESF...the area south of Route 45.

This starts at Burkholder's Country Market. They have a great covered parking area, fuel and groceries. It is a great place to start any meet up, group ride or adventure in BESF.

This will also take you past some of the motorized sites...including the very popular site 47.

You will first come to Bell's Majestic Vista. Then as you turn onto pine swamp road you will pass site 42 and head to Chocolate Drop Vista. 20200621_145204_HDR.jpg

After there you will come to the entrance road to Poe Valley state park as you head to Poe Paddy SP (restrooms and camping) and begin the 4x4 HC trail Poe Paddy Dr. Here you will find 3(4) vistas. Ravens Knob, Ingleby View and Penn's View.

You will then head back to Siglerville-Millheim pike passing sites 41 and 44 and a vista that i can not remember the name of.

You will then head into 2 more 4x4 HC trails. Flat Hollow RD and Strong's Mtn Rd. 20200621_140110.jpg

Then you will come to Bear Gap Picnic area (restrooms and picnic tables).

You will then head up to Treaster Valley Vista.
There is a geocache here if anyone does that. And then you will head past site 47.

Then the last 4x4 HC trail, Knob Ridge Rd, will take you to the area of sites 64, 65 and 66

And finally, head out to Reed's Gap SP (restrooms, picnic tables, camping)

Fall Foliage, Vistas and 4x4 HC Trails
From 107 Market Dr to Reeds Gap State Park
2 hr 28 min (53 mi)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/EHETgo6sArUj2Dip9 FB_IMG_1632962775736.jpg

I plotted the route on Google maps so everyone can use it. Purple Lizard Maps would be a great idea to get FB_IMG_1632962781824.jpg ...or get the day use map from the forest office or download on your phone. FB_IMG_1632962787508.jpg

https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateForests/FindAForest/BaldEagle/Pages/Maps.aspx

And for information on motorized campsites...


FB_IMG_1632947909187.jpg 20200621_141215.jpg 20200621_141059.jpg
 

devildodge

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So we hit 155 miles of off pavement travel and 7 hours in the wilderness if Central Pennsylvania

Scouted out some more camping. We traveled through 3 State Forests. Rothrock, Bald Eagle and Tiadaghton.

Was a beautiful day 20211105_120400.jpg 20211105_130504.jpg 20211105_131533.jpg 20211105_132342_HDR.jpg 20211105_132410.jpg 20211105_134952_HDR.jpg 20211105_135505.jpg 20211105_135646.jpg 20211105_141216.jpg 20211105_145734_HDR.jpg
 

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