How do you get to nature in North America?

I lived in the USSR and in Israel, and there all you had to do to get to nature was put on a backpack, grab your kayak and take a train to a cool forest.

Here in Canada, this is a lot harder! Sure, camping is possible if you go to a special campsite but those are usually filled with rednecks and trailers. There's usually very little forest around, as well. If it's a long trip (a week or so), there are very few places avaliable to the public, especially if there is a shortage of funds. I went on some really nice trips in Algonquin Park and in Quebec, but they were pretty expensive and far. On top of that, there was no option to camp wherever we wanted but only on the specially marked spots.

There was one place that was considered "crown land" in which I could freely set up my tent and get away from the crowds and laws. However, I only ever managed to find one decent place like that, so I'm assuming it's not too common.

So... Is it the same in the US? Or is there something I don't know about? How do you get to nature without the middle-man in North America?

 

Ummm got me. I have tried for years, but you always end up paying some small ammount. North America is based upon good old money. Welcome to Puritan land my friend!

 

I live in alabama, and all I have to do to get to nature is to walk out my front door, and keep going straight for about 200 yards, and boom. Or behind my house. for a little bit.

There is a national forest around here that is like so huge, its awesome place, so beautiful.

If youve ever seen the beach, the scense where they jump off the cliff, there is a place like that about 10 miles in the woods, and like I jumped off of it, its almost identicle to the one in the movie,

 

First off Nature is everywhere man. Its in you. Its in me. Its in the weeds at the side of the road next to that busy highway. Nature is next to the runways planes use to take off and land. Nature is in that single cloud floating in the sky past your window. Saw some guy tenting up next to one busy freeway I take all the time. Surrounding him are trees, bushes & cigarette butts. He's in nature that's for sure just a noisy part.

However, most National Parks down here will not let you just tent up anywhere w/o middleman nor can you do so for long. My suggestion is check into the least populated states that have the highest wilderness. In places like this, the rangers can't be everywhere.

Other than that rather illicit act, can't help ya man.

 

where in Canada are you, Syntax? let me guess... southwestern onterrible?

i live 1/2 a block away from some amazing nature paths that run thru a beautiful forest, complete with a river and some of the most beautiful big old trees. it's all second and third growth forest, but it's still gorgeous.

 

Here is a pic of my 9 yr old son & my 4 1/2 yr old grand-daughter outside (in nature). If ya want to see nature, then just get off the computer and run outside....it's everywhere!
I'm living in a small town in New Hampshire where there are more trees then people.

 

Just getting off the computer just doesn't cut it when living in Toronto. It takes at least an hour by car to get to anything that even resembles nature, and even then it's tainted by people and laws. I don't think it's really nature if it's just one shrub surrounded by highway and skyscrapers. I mean, technically it's nature, but that's just like telling a person who likes cows to go to a butcher shop. Real nature needs to be complete and untainted.

As soon as I get myself a car and a kayak, I'll go exploring the other provinces and states to see if there's any cool nature there.

 

Then head on down to NH, there is enough nature here for us all.

 

Hey squakers, you are a very pretty woman. Just thought I would let you know.

 

and lotus, is ur sig picture from Gattaca? I didnt get ur reply the last time i asked u. I LOVE THAT MOVIE

 

I loooooooooooooooooooooooooooove Gattaca.

A Movie similar to it is Equilibrium, U need to watch it, the government makes everyone take this medicine that keeps you from having any emotions. And there are these government agents called Clerics, that are super awesome, and one that like cannot be killed cause he is so fast, and he decides to stop taking the medicine so he can see what emotion is like, and he kicks major ass. Watch it.

 

haha, ya, you're pretty much screwed if you're living in t.o. it's like solid concrete from barrie to windsor. good luck, man

ps, the rest of canada isnt like that.

 

Sorry, you're wrong. I get up, go outside, and see... houses, cars, cement, telegraph wires, and more cement. Then some lawns, and a few trees. You know, that false, artificial, ugly "nature" which is not there to exist as a real ecosystem, but is there for looks, to sell houses. I'd rather be in a true urban area than the hell of suburbia and its mock-nature, which taunts and teases but hardly pleases.

Count yourself lucky for living where it hasn't been economical enough to pave the entire landscape around you. Many of the rest of us aren't.

 

The NY/NJ Trail Conference has posted trail-heads in locations just outside train stations so that the urban hikers can make the trip without a car.

The Train is confortable and not expensive.

Hopefuly, in Toronto, an orginization or association can provide guidance and maps. It may introduce you to interesting people as well.

Best wishes

 

I don't know about trains being 'not expensive'... They seem to be expensive enough, if I want to get to an interesting place. Besides, I know all the places in the area and they aren't cool enough. There are overnight camping spots, but they are too official, and the rest are just daytime hiking...

 

have you checked out the bruce trail?

 

come to minnesota..... plenty of nature here..... forests... over 10,000 lakes..... we take care of our pretty land.....

 

One Time I Saw Two Dudes Kissing In A Club, And That Was The Gayest Thing I Ever Saw Until I Saw This Thread.

 

There is lots of beauty in Ontario. Drive north, take a canoe, tent, whatever you need an just take the time to enjoy it all. Ontario really is a beautiful place. It's everywhere. You will find it outside.

 

the way i enjoy nature is i find some good land and venture into it....if i intend to stay over night i pack some things in a satchel and take it.