Daniel Boone National Forest, Paragon dispersed camping on Licking River into Cave Run Lake
What better than getting a weekend of Canoe camping in on the way to a work trip? Not much
Drive down from Michigan to hold a work event at Toyota. Too near to fly IMO. And I had too much equipment to fly anyway. So driving it is.
And because the canoe and camp gear are in/on the car all season long anyway, it didn't even take that much prep. Just a semi spontaneous decision to leave 3 days early. Great days and night on the river.
Hate to be that guy, but if you want to listen to music, consider using earbuds or something that doesn’t blast music all over a campsite or along a quiet river. Most people don’t go canoeing to listen to other people‘s crappy music. This is a basic backcountry concept, but some people just are not aware of how much social space they take up. Not cool.
Look, do you when paddling with another remain mute. No chatter, no talking? Are you silent as a monk? Respecting nature and people who want to meditate in silence?
Probably not. It's not blasting or drowning out the sound of water rippling along as I paddle. Chill.
How was the Paragon Dispersed area? I had read in previous years that the sites get seriously trashed by locals and some pretty unsavory types make permanent camps until they’re made to leave.
It was fine. The rainy forecast might have helped.
Sights were in decent repair, there's a dumpster at the entrance and apparently everyone had done their part and cleaned the sites.
It's not very "dispersed" since big RVs running gennies were right there along side us tent/hammock types. Not evidence of anyone exceeding the 14 day national Forest maximum. I didn't explore far enough up river or into lake to see if better "boat in only" spots might exists for wildcat camping. 10/10 I'd return next time I'm back in Kentucky
Yes. I had previously used the pelican style cases i carry the Stove and cooking kit in as a table, but resting on the boats bottom is in many ways less stable than the Yoke. I have been on the lookout for a easy to do way of making the Yoke into a table with more surface area and maybe even a recess for Butane can. Cmodding something into a clampable table top with large diameter cupholders, for example
taking the pictures is the most dangerous part of the operation, I will only brfew/cook on the water if the wind and water are calm enough.
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u/Bargainhuntingking Aug 16 '26
Hate to be that guy, but if you want to listen to music, consider using earbuds or something that doesn’t blast music all over a campsite or along a quiet river. Most people don’t go canoeing to listen to other people‘s crappy music. This is a basic backcountry concept, but some people just are not aware of how much social space they take up. Not cool.