best tent camping places in iowa image
sleeping b
my friends and i are planning a road trip for next summer coming from NY to CA and we'd like tips and advice from experienced travelers. Things like, how much money should we bring? what's a good route? is a tent a good idea? what are the best places (cheap) to stay? any really nice places to check out? best car for a road trip? none of us have ever done a road trip so any help would be appreciated!
thanks!
ps my friends are 18, 18 and 16. i dont no if that helps or not...
Answer
Check out http://www.hostels.com/ for cheap places to stay. Camping gear's a good idea. You can check out the DNR (Department of Natural Resources) websites in each state for places to camp along the way. Unfortunately, I'm not aware of a national DNR website where you can get campsite information.
I'd recommend bringing as much money as you can, but don't tell anyone you have it. Things come up (car problems, for example), and it's better to have the money and not need it than vice versa. But, be smart. Don't spend it unless you need to, keep it in several different places in case one of your bags gets stolen, etc. If word gets out that you have a decent amount of cash on you (or access to it via a debit card), you're more susceptible to robbery, or just plain mooching.
As far as what to see, that depends mostly on your interests. Personally, I really like the outdoors and do a lot of hiking. If you're of the same mind, you might like traveling through Wisconsin and Minnesota. I got off the interstate for a while on a trip from Indiana to Minneapolis and drove along the Mississippi river between Wisconsin and Iowa. It was a beautiful drive. You could go to Chicago, check out some of the sights (Field Museum, Chicago Art Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, Sears Tower, John Hancock Building), then cut over to Dubuque, Iowa, and then head north from there. While in Minneapolis, stop by the Mall of America. Then head west into South Dakota, see Mt. Rushmore and the Badlands National Park.
Anyway, there's a few ideas to get you started. Have fun, and above all, be safe. BTW, one of your friends is 16? How does his/her parents feel about this?
Check out http://www.hostels.com/ for cheap places to stay. Camping gear's a good idea. You can check out the DNR (Department of Natural Resources) websites in each state for places to camp along the way. Unfortunately, I'm not aware of a national DNR website where you can get campsite information.
I'd recommend bringing as much money as you can, but don't tell anyone you have it. Things come up (car problems, for example), and it's better to have the money and not need it than vice versa. But, be smart. Don't spend it unless you need to, keep it in several different places in case one of your bags gets stolen, etc. If word gets out that you have a decent amount of cash on you (or access to it via a debit card), you're more susceptible to robbery, or just plain mooching.
As far as what to see, that depends mostly on your interests. Personally, I really like the outdoors and do a lot of hiking. If you're of the same mind, you might like traveling through Wisconsin and Minnesota. I got off the interstate for a while on a trip from Indiana to Minneapolis and drove along the Mississippi river between Wisconsin and Iowa. It was a beautiful drive. You could go to Chicago, check out some of the sights (Field Museum, Chicago Art Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, Sears Tower, John Hancock Building), then cut over to Dubuque, Iowa, and then head north from there. While in Minneapolis, stop by the Mall of America. Then head west into South Dakota, see Mt. Rushmore and the Badlands National Park.
Anyway, there's a few ideas to get you started. Have fun, and above all, be safe. BTW, one of your friends is 16? How does his/her parents feel about this?
boundary waters permit and launch point?
NolanW
I'm trying to plan a trip to the boundary waters soon, June 5 and 6. I'm only 18, and would like to know what needs to be done. I'm not a state resident (Iowan), and don't have any passes or licenses. It sounds like there's a lot of red tape to get through. How can I get these passes? Also, I would like to canoe through it. I dont have one yet, but figure I can buy one in minnesota that's registered. I have some reasonable experience with canoes. I've also read about multiple launch points, and that some fill up months before. Are there any that are relatively unpopular points that would still be open to reservation? What basics will I need to bring? I'm going with another 18 year old, and one 17 year old.
Answer
The Minnesota DNR website is the place to get permits. You'll need to know your entry point at that time, as the permit only allows access at that point. At this time though, you shouldn't have too hard of a time at any particular point.
You'll want to pack light. Do you have any Duluth packs? They're essentially big waterproof bags to keep your items and food in. They are very necessary. You'll need some kind of water purifier so you don't get sick. Maps and a compass obviously. Freeze dried foods are the best option for dinners. Bear Creek soups also make for a great dinner. There's plenty of fish for the catching. We mostly caught small mouth bass. Tent(s) and sleeping bags, as light as possible.
You'll probably have to drive up to Ely and stay the night there, especially coming from Iowa. I went from the Twin Cities and it was still very necessary.. Then get up and early in the morning and head out. You'll want as much day time as possible to canoe out and find a campsite.
I had a guide when up there. Luckily for us, we knew one so she took us out for free. I'd stop at an outrigger in Ely and get some information as possible attractions within the wilderness. While you're there, you can take day trips to different areas or just go and camp at a different area. Remember though, you must exist through the same entry point.
It's tough work. If you're a beginner or novice, I'd suggest trying to find a path with short and easy portages. You'll be doing plenty of it. There's bears, moose, wolves and other wildlife so be smart. And don't accidentally venture to Canada. There are permits for both the BWCA and Canada's Quetico that allows you to go between the two though.
The Minnesota DNR website is the place to get permits. You'll need to know your entry point at that time, as the permit only allows access at that point. At this time though, you shouldn't have too hard of a time at any particular point.
You'll want to pack light. Do you have any Duluth packs? They're essentially big waterproof bags to keep your items and food in. They are very necessary. You'll need some kind of water purifier so you don't get sick. Maps and a compass obviously. Freeze dried foods are the best option for dinners. Bear Creek soups also make for a great dinner. There's plenty of fish for the catching. We mostly caught small mouth bass. Tent(s) and sleeping bags, as light as possible.
You'll probably have to drive up to Ely and stay the night there, especially coming from Iowa. I went from the Twin Cities and it was still very necessary.. Then get up and early in the morning and head out. You'll want as much day time as possible to canoe out and find a campsite.
I had a guide when up there. Luckily for us, we knew one so she took us out for free. I'd stop at an outrigger in Ely and get some information as possible attractions within the wilderness. While you're there, you can take day trips to different areas or just go and camp at a different area. Remember though, you must exist through the same entry point.
It's tough work. If you're a beginner or novice, I'd suggest trying to find a path with short and easy portages. You'll be doing plenty of it. There's bears, moose, wolves and other wildlife so be smart. And don't accidentally venture to Canada. There are permits for both the BWCA and Canada's Quetico that allows you to go between the two though.
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