While camped out in November, I decided on a new bucket list goal: Camp in a tent in a different place each month of a calendar year.

Here is my plan for 2015.

January__________Nicolet NF - Whisker Lake Wilderness
February_________Little Bay De Noc
March 6 wkend?___BWCA - Tuscarora Lake
April____________Hiawatha NF - Lake Nineteen
May 30 -June 6___Quetico
June_____________Big Island Lake Wilderness - Twilight Lake
Jul 27 week______Isle Royale
August__________Grand Island - Munising
September_______Elroy-Sparta Trail
October_________Craig Lake
November________Sylvania Wilderness
December________Porcupine Mountains - Mirror Lake

That's a lot of tent time!

I have just two trips planned...Sag in June and Colorado in September. Last spring I went soft and built a cabin, so I think my tent's days are numbered now.

I like your style !!!!!

You've got some excellent places on your list.

So, I was impressed that Jan-March are not in different (SOUTHERN) states, lol.

Good bucket list goal!!

That is a fantastic idea. I may try to do the same

Very ambitious plan! Good luck and have fun!

That looks fun.

I'm dedicating all my time over the next 12 months to my job. I'm lucky, I love my job (may be a fleeeting emotion).

So I bought two powerful bike lights at the REI fall sale, and a new headlamp from REI outlet. My 2015 goal is canoe, bike, or ski from my house in one direction until about midnight or so, and then call my wife crying for a ride home. Hoping to do this once a week after work, weather permitting. It's not Denali, but it's what I can do.

That's awesome! I wish I had a list planned like that!

I went soft last year too....bought a camper. Though it was exponentially easier with an infant....

Great plan, hope you can keep to it. I have done similar just 3 times so far. Now I'm retired and should find it easier, but the month of Dec. tends to go by sooooo fast!
It would be difficult to come up with a better list.

butthead

COOL!

check out bittersweet lake wilderness area in the northern highlands American legion state forest since you appear to live in this area of the country... way pretty area... road almost as interesting as the one to craig lake sp.

quote DrBobDg: "check out bittersweet lake wilderness area in the northern highlands American legion state forest since you appear to live in this area of the country... way pretty area... road almost as interesting as the one to craig lake sp."

Thanks for the recommendation! I will add this to my potential list. I live in Gladstone, MI so this would not be too far out of range. I need to verify if camping is allowed. This DNR website indicates camping is a prohibited activity. Bittersweet Lake Wilderness but I also see a map showing reservable campsites?? campsite map
Looks like a great place to check out!

Are you planning on canoeing or backpack Craig Lake? My wife and I were up there this past year and backpacked around the lake. There is a really nice site over on the NW side of the lake. The ones over on the SE side of the lake are one big site as are the ones on the SW side, which are close to the road/trail. The ones on the NE side are canoe accessible only.

Northern Highlands American Legion State Forest Camping information
Lots of camping options. Go to the Primitive link.

butthead

The plan for Craig Lake is to canoe, fish, and camp. I want to get in there ahead of the snow while the road is still driveable. I have only been there once for a day of paddling and really enjoyed it. That was in early spring and there were still ice flows on the lakes. In making my 2015 plan, this was an easy call to put onto the list!

quote bobbernumber3: "The plan for Craig Lake is to canoe, fish, and camp. I want to get in there ahead of the snow while the road is still driveable. I have only been there once for a day of paddling and really enjoyed it. That was in early spring and there were still ice flows on the lakes. In making my 2015 plan, this was an easy call to put onto the list!"

I like your plans......I do a lot of my "adventures" in the UP of Michigan and northern Wisconsin, simply because it's much closer to me then BWCA. If I'm short on time, that's where I head, primarily on long weekends.

I love Sylvania, Craig Lake, Big Island Lake, Hiawatha, etc. All are easily accessible, under utilized and unique in their own ways.

Big Island Lake

Craig Lake

Sylvania

yep.... there are several campsites... that nice road keeps many out. There are special fish regulations there I think...catch and release bass I think...I don't fish so can't tell you for sure.
That link is to my boy scout website where I put that map in....Those are reservable sites

Good Idea. I need to start planning one of these...

Great list and a worthy goal!

Backpacked into the Porkies in the early 1980's and camped in some old growth white pines. Those were some of the most beautiful trees I have ever seen.

Looking forward to trip reports.

p.s. How do you have enough time to do this? Help us out with some advice!

quote gkimball: "p.s. How do you have enough time to do this? Help us out with some advice!"

Six or seven of these places are only about an hour's drive away, so I am planning to do these with just a weekend trip. I am heading out Friday for the January - Whisker Lake Wilderness trip. I plan to change February from Bay de Noc to Bittersweet Lake Wilderness based on DrBobDg's suggestion.

Three months to go and I just finished the planning. Here is what has been completed and what is left to do:

January - Whisker Lake Wilderness
February - Bittersweet Lake Wilderness
March - Tuscarora Lake, BWCA
April - Lake Nineteen, Hiawatha Natl Forest
May - Vance Lake, Big Island Lake Wilderness
June - Saganagons Lake, Quetico and Duncan Lake, BWCA
July - Siskiwit Lake, Isle Royale National Park
August - Grand Island, Munising, MI
September - Timber Lake, Ottawa National Forest
to do:
October - Craig Lake State Park
November - Sylvania Wilderness
December - Pretty Lakes Quiet Area, Lake Superior State Forest

I found it challenging to come up with 12 different places within reasonable distance with fishing potential where I wanted to go camping in a tent.

This winter, I will put together a short trip summary with more photos.

Awesome accomplishment! Can't wait until I have time to camp like this.

Beautiful Brookie!

What a great idea! I am inspired!

Planning a camping trip every month is awesome, I like your style. Its a great idea. Taking off more time from work is the best thing I've ever done...more efficient during work due to vacation goals, also have deadlines for fun. Will have to set something similar up for this winter.

Similar plan, but more modest as to locations. My wife looked at me like I had finally lost my last wingnut. But she has been doing that for awhile. Thanks for the inspiration! Camp on!

I completed the year camping each month... what a blast!

Here is a link to my Trip Report

Very cool!

That sounds like a great plan to me. I wish I could get everyone around my house on board with something similar. Maybe one day. Based on our first family trip, I think the kids would be on board. Might be a little harder to convince my better half that using all my vacation out camping was a valuable use of time. :)

Good luck! Sounds like 1 down and 11 more to go?