Tarp Camping on the Manistee River Loop Trail

First of all, thank you guys for all of your recommendations and comments in this sub. It was a great help in planning my upcoming trip.

I am going to do the loop trail with a friend this upcoming weekend. Everything is planned out except I just started to second guess my shelter setup.

I was planning to do a tarp-only setup with a ground sheet. What I mean by that is I don't have a bug net. Is that even possible here? This will be my first time doing this setup which is why I am unsure. I do have a tent I was planning on throwing in the car just in case there is a high forecast of rain but I was hoping to leave it in the trunk.

Is this viable given bugs and ticks? I do have a bug net for my face and a deet spray.

in CampAndHikeMichiganby Clean_Equal8946

80%

26d

robun

26d

You can safely camp on that trail without a bug net. - Sincerely, Notatick

Clean_Equal8946

26d

😂

TheBimpo

26d

The bugs are awake here in northern Michigan. Cowboy it at your own risk and comfort, I sure wouldn't.

Clean_Equal8946

26d

Thanks for the advice!

ReelJV

26d

I hiked the loop this last weekend and bugs were out, but wasn’t horrible. I wouldn’t want to sleep outside a bug net. I had a bunch of spiders on my tent when I took my rain fly off.

Clean_Equal8946

26d

Alright! I'm starting to get the hint.

jlboro

25d

don't forget about slugs!

mittencamper

26d

Youll be fine with some deet and a head net. May end up not even needing the headnet. As temps at night drop any mosquitos will be less active.

I would probably treat my sleep clothes with permethrin to be safe from ticks.

Clean_Equal8946

26d

Thanks for the advice!

User deleted comment

26d

Wrigs112

26d

A bug headnet is the best $4 I’ve ever spent in my life, and it always stays in a small pocket in my pack. I didn’t have to use it near the Manistee, but it was an absolute need in late June on the NCT in the U.P.

I put it on a few times in Oregon on the PCT, but I think half the reason people say you need it there is because it has a huge amount of Europeans and you would think they have never seen a mosquito in their life. The amount of drama and crying over a very normal amount of mosquitoes that is similar to any average Midwest summer day was unreal. I had two Belgians quit the trail because of them.

(OP, people in other parts of the upper Midwest have already told me that they are seeing a lot of ticks this year.)

GoSox2525

26d

Oh I totally agree it's worth carrying regardless. It's saved my life too. I meant that it probably shouldn't be relied on for the only bug protection in your sleep system when bug pressure is high

Wrigs112

26d

Ah, my misunderstanding! That makes complete sense.

hiking_hedgehog

25d

I live near the MRT and the mosquitoes have been out for a few weeks now, mostly in the evening and at night. They’re also big enough now that they can bite through some of my clothing- like thin but loose pants and regular t-shirts. I’d really recommend a bug bivy

jjmcwill2003

20d

Invest in a bug bivy if you really like the idea of camping under a tarp. Given the prevalence of Lyme Disease these days, your health is worth the additional cost and hassle. I know it's not quite the same as the freedom of camping under an open tarp.

Clean_Equal8946

20d

Yea, I'm trying to wrap my head around that one.

There are bug nets that are pretty small and light but they don't have a bottom. I just got back from my hike and I saw a lot of ticks and they all came from the ground as I was sitting in the grass, so I don't really want one without a bottom.

Then there are bug nets that do have a bottom but they are more expensive and at that point, I'm just reconstructing a tent.

Relative_Walk_936

26d

It is possible, they won't literally carry you away. But your choice!