What is the minimum legal age to go backpacking unsupervised?
Mike asked:
A friend and I want to go backpacking in Wisconsin, leave-no-trace camping along the way, and we need to know if it’ll be legal. We’re both sixteen, and have extensive wilderness and first-aid training, more so than the average adult. Is it legal to camp without an adult at age sixteen? Or is it eighteen? Please only tell me if you’re 100% sure. If you just think it’s eighteen and don’t think I should go, fine, but I need the actual law. Thanks.
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A friend and I want to go backpacking in Wisconsin, leave-no-trace camping along the way, and we need to know if it’ll be legal. We’re both sixteen, and have extensive wilderness and first-aid training, more so than the average adult. Is it legal to camp without an adult at age sixteen? Or is it eighteen? Please only tell me if you’re 100% sure. If you just think it’s eighteen and don’t think I should go, fine, but I need the actual law. Thanks.
February 3rd, 2010 at 6:44 pm
You are doing “no-trace camping” why would you even care……….no ones gonna find you anyway …..as long as it’s not in some bodies back yard……..what the hell?
you probably have bums living within a mile from you in the brush……no body finds them! Mountain Man
February 5th, 2010 at 9:54 pm
The state of Wisconsin requires that people back packing be at least 18years of age or be supervised by an adult, some restrictions are no bicycles and no pets and all garbage must be carried out of the forest each day,garbage left overnight will cost those who have it in their possesion a fine of no less than $700.00 and six months in the county jail……. The great OZ
February 6th, 2010 at 6:30 am
there is no law prohibiting people of any age from backpacking and camping in the US or in Canada from my knowledge, but the guy above sounds credible about wisconsin, you also need to worry about is getting the property owner’s permission to travel through and camp on their land.
the only camping law I can think of is if your renting a campsite, since they usually need a true credit card for insurance against you(possible damages, extra charges, etc), and you need to be minimum of 18 to own a true credit card.
I can see no problem with you guys camping in the woods as long as you understand what your doing and can be mature(not acting like a fool around other people) about it. stormgale89
February 9th, 2010 at 12:52 am
There is both right and wrong here. Being under 18 limits your choices as to where you could reserve a camp site yourself, but if as you say your doing a backpacking trip and your staying within the state you can with written permission go backpacking to your hearts desire, the only specific law that applies are curfew laws and if your in the national forests federal law rules the land and there is no age requirement at that level.
“The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, or age.”
Again the key here is written permission from your legal guardian. If you are stopped by a not so intelligent ranger, written permission with contact information and a trip plan in hand will give the ranger confidence in what your doing out there in the first place. I would start with that and contact the park or forest ranger district you intend to travel on and work with them to show your maturity in handling situations that come your way.
Now for private lands it’s a different story all together as no one will bother you if you have permission in written form from the land owner to be there.
Good luck and Have fun! chris w
February 12th, 2010 at 5:38 am
idt there is one. :\ emma
February 12th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
You need to pay more attention to laws on camping than laws on age.
Fair enough, if something went wrong, technically your parents could be charged with neglect or something, but this seems highly unlikely.
Also, the idea of wilderness camping is that you get away from everything; the police tend to stay within towns and cities, especially at night.
What I’m saying is, don’t get caught.
At 16, you’re old enough to look after yourselves for a night or two, you certainly sound experienced enough.
Hope this helps - enjoy your camping! InTheShadows