Guerrilla Camping (Maybe)

Guerrilla camping is when you pitch your tent somewhere unsanctioned, where you’re not “supposed to”. Where might that be? Well, since we’re not supposed to camp there, I can’t tell you, exactly. I will say, that on a recent walk I came upon a very well camouflaged tent along the popular section of the North Branch Trail that certainly did not look like like it belonged to someone who camps under bridges in Chicago.

We’ve camped guerrilla-style, packing up our belongings in a bike trailer, and setting off on a darkened path after shop hours. We’ve picked our way through overgrown paths using a dimmed bike light to avoid attracting attention, we’ve even gotten lost in the dark in places familiar under daylight. We’ve pitched a tent where we were pretty sure no one would find us, and woke up at dawn to brew hot coffee, and watched bald eagles hunt for their breakfast in suburban Chicago. Where? This will be for you to find if you ever undertake a guerrilla camping trip.

But semi-guerrilla is OK too (and almost as much fun). You can go by bike, or on foot. You could bring a small tent, but a hammock is better, quicker, simpler and lighter. Bring a sandwich and something to drink, or a way to prepare it, a book, a pad of paper, a musical instrument if you play one, or just the thoughts in your head, and set off on a trail into some woods. After a while, take a side trail, and another. See if you can get a bit turned around, or scramble off the visible trails into the woods. Good places for this are local forest preserves where the green space is wide enough to allow you to get a bit away from the beaten path (LaBagh, Harms Woods, Skokie Lagoons, places along the DesPlaines).

When you’re good and alone, find two trees, stretch your hammock, and climb in. No one will bother you. No one will know you’re there.

When you think you’re done, stay a little longer. Stay until nightfall. You won’t regret it.