Back in 2012 I spent the season on a massive project; time lapse the entire Wonderland Trail, including the alternate route over Spray Park, and film and map all the backcountry camps on the Wonderland. Turns out the camps project is still very popular to this day as people want to scope out the camps (especially if considering hanging) in advance. And then, on a Wonderland Facebook group, someone mentioned it would be nice to see the other camps in the park.

*Initial sketch and finished camp overlay map*

The popularity of the trail has grown exponentially over the past decade, and many times one of these alternate camps, not specifically on the Wonderland, are utilized to complete a circuit. This is especially true for the Northern Loop Trail, now commonly incorporated into a Wonderland circuit, or just as a circuit in and of itself. The Eastern Loop is also widely used.

I started filming these other camps at the end of 2024, hitting all the ones on the Northern Loop plus Snow Lake. In 2025 I was able to film the remaining camps in the park, sans 2: Three Lakes and Shriner Peak. Shriner is a one-off, not connecting to any other trails, and Three Lakes is seldom used for Wonderland hikers (at least in the Facebook group), but I’ll probably film them this coming season just to finish up every camp.

*Reference map for Lake George Camp in relation to the Wonderland Trail*

This project has been a real delight, taking me back to areas of the park that I might not have visited any time soon. I especially enjoyed the trip to film Dick’s Lake Camp and Upper Palisades Camp on a beautiful July trip encountering few people. Since I don’t monetize this site, my payment is running into people on the trail that express appreciation for its content. I guess one would classify these efforts as a labor of love. Click Here for the Alternate Camps page