Question: Hammocking in Minneapolis

**dsherman** · 02-22-2012, 13:33

Newbie here, but I'm falling quickly in love with the idea of hammock camping. Been a ground camper since day one, and looking for more comfortable ways to spend nights in the lovely woods. Like many others, Shug's videos started me thinking, and after much research on these forums and other reviews, I have my sights set on a WBBB.

Anyway, my question arose after enjoying one of Mr. Shug's older videos where he is testing out gear in the "swamps of Roseville, Minnesota." I live in Plymouth, MN, so it got me thinking about similar places close by where I could get my first hang. It's not always convenient to make the road trip up to the SHT or similar places, and I live in an apartment where hanging on the back porch would freak out the neighbors.

In short, where are some nice places for "urban woods" camping in Minneapolis?

**lymphocytosis** · 02-22-2012, 14:02

Places where the cops won't roll by asking if you're squatting? (this happened to me in my own yard)

Afton and Lake Maria are both relatively close by and I have hung there with no problems. Trying to hang stealth in the woods someplace may be possible, but it just makes me too nervous.

**dsherman** · 02-22-2012, 14:11

What about it makes you nervous? The only thing I can think that I won't like is that persistent "haah" sound of the city instead of the deep quiet and animal sounds of the true wilderness. But, when you need some camping, take what you can get, eh?

**lymphocytosis** · 02-22-2012, 14:15

Having a brush with the police in my own yard doesn't lend any confidence to what it would be like if they found me in the woods on someone else's property.

**pizza** · 02-22-2012, 18:23

Yeah, I live in an apartment too. I know of a few areas where I could easily do an urban stealth camp without getting busted but I've yet to get desperate enough to try it. Maybe if we get $6.00 gas though this summer I'll have to give it a try...LOL! As mentioned Lake Maria, Afton and I'd add Wild River State Park to the mix are all good bets for good places to go within 50 miles of the twin cities.

**Fronkey** · 02-22-2012, 18:38

I personally stealth hang at least once a week in a place I like to call, "The Bubble."

But, if I were you I would listen to the folks above on their suggestions. We have some great places here in Minnesota.

Fronkey

**Beast 71** · 02-22-2012, 22:54

Just go down in the river bottoms, but watch out for the Smiley-Faced Killer or killers.

**ernesthemmingway** · 02-22-2012, 23:05

I live in an apartment too, and its about an hours drive to any good wilderness areas for me. I screwed some eyelet hooks into the wall and hung my hammock inside. Not exactly would you would call "camping" but at least I got to practice setting up my hammock. If you just wanted to test out your system an inside hang can be ok.

**dsherman** · 02-23-2012, 00:08

I like these suggestions, thanks! Are they pretty quiet at night? I'm taking a friend out for his first night of camping but we're both limited by work schedules. These should do nicely for a night or two.