Wilderness
Best Practices for Wilderness Recreation
To reduce natural and cultural resource damage, erosion and maintain wilderness character:
Tip 1: Prevent trail damage
Avoid trail use when muddy. Stay in the middle of wet areas. Never make detours or cut throughs.
Figure 1: Damage from user detours.
Tip 2: Protect historical sites
This land was previously inhabited by Native Americans and early European settlers. Practice Leave It As You Find it, and do not move or remove artifacts.
Figure 2: An historic homesite illegally turned into a makeshift hut.
Tip 3
The Deam Wilderness has 25 designated campsites marked with small signs and a site number. All other campsites must set up at least 100 feet from water and trails, and 300 feet from trailheads. User-made sites too close to the water cause erosion and degrade the wilderness experience.
Tip 4: Avoid building rock structures
Or leaving evidence of your visit in order to preserve the Wilderness experience for everyone. Keep your campsite natural.
Figure 3: Sites should appear as if no one was there.
Tip 5: Stay in areas already impacted
If possible, use designated sites which have small rock fire rings and bare ground for your tent. When dispersed camping put the area back as you found it.
Figure 4: Designated sites are designed to minimize impacts.
Tip 6: Bury human waste
Bury human waste 6-8 inches and cover with soil. Travel at least 200 feet from water and other campsites to avoid creating a health hazard.
Tip 7: Group size is limited to 10
Group size is limited to 10 to preserve the Wilderness experience.
Tip 8: Campfire impacts
Use a fire blanket, fire pan, or camp stove to minimize impact. A small campfire has less impact on the environment, burns better and is easier to put out upon leaving.
Tip 9 Never cut live trees
Never cut live trees for firewood - gather small pieces of dead and downed wood away from your site. Remember the 4 D's - dead, down, dinky and at a distance.
Figure 5: Cutting live trees harms area resilience.
Tip 10: Carry out your trash
Carry out your trash instead of dumping it or burning it. Pack it in, pack it out.
Figure 6: Trash is dangerous to wildlife and people.
Tip 11: Parking
Parking on or along Tower Ridge Road is prohibited. Park only in the lots provided at:
- Blackwell Campground
- Grubb Ridge Trailhead
- Hickory Ridge Lookout Tower
Deam Wilderness experiences heavy use, especially on nice weekends. If parking areas are full, please consider an alternate location. Some nearby areas for backpacking and dispersed camping include:
- Brown County D Trail
- Nebo Ridge Trail
- Fork Ridge Trail
- Hickory Ridge Trails
- Pate Hollow Trail