5 Best Camping Sites in the Midwest
Get ready to check out some of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring Midwest camping spots. Whether you want to camp with your family, go on a solo adventure, or just enjoy the outdoors, there’s a perfect place waiting for you. Read on and see why camping in the Midwest is a great way to have fun and make awesome memories!
1. Turkey Run State Park
Turkey Run State Park is one of the most well known Indiana state parks for camping. It’s a wonderful place for families, hikers, and anyone who enjoys nature.
Visit Sandstone Canyons and Scenic Trails
There are many exciting attractions to see and activities to do at Turkey Run State Park. You’ll find deep sandstone canyons and gorges that look like something out of a movie. For activities to do, try walking across their suspension bridges that stretch over green, shady ravines.
But if you want something more adventurous that involves their rock formations, hiking Trail 3 will do just that for you. Thankfully, the park has electric hookups and clean shower houses to help you get clean right after and make your stay comfortable while camping in Indiana. There’s even a camp store, a nature center to visit, and canoe rentals if you want to paddle down Sugar Creek.
2. Starved Rock State Park
Starved Rock State Park is one of the best places to go camping in Illinois. It’s beautiful all yearlong and has some of the most remarkable hiking trails in the Midwest.
Visit Glacial Canyons and Waterfalls
A special feature of Starved Rock State Park is the 18 canyons carved by melting glaciers many years ago. After it rains, many of these canyons become beautiful waterfalls that you can see and hear while hiking. The park also has tall, rocky cliffs that make great places to take pictures or look out over the river.
Stay Comfortable at the Campsite or Lodge
Starved Rock State Park has modern Midwest camping sites where you can enjoy the outdoors but still have some of the comforts of home. Many campsites have electric hookups, so you can plug in your lights or other camping gear. But if you don’t feel like sleeping in a tent, there’s also the nearby Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center with cozy rooms, a restaurant, and even a gift shop.
Enjoy Hiking, Eagle Watching, and Scenic Views
There are many fun activities to do at Starved Rock State Park! Take a hike to St. Louis and French Canyons, where you can see amazing rock walls and, if it’s been raining, some beautiful waterfalls. In the winter, make sure to bring your binoculars and watch out for bald eagles flying or sitting in trees along the Illinois River, where they’re easy to spot when the weather gets cold.
3. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a beautiful part of Western Michigan that’s also a favorite place to go camping in the Midwest. It has vast sand dunes, shady forests, and plenty of fun by the water.
Experience Lake Views and Dune Adventures
The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore has clean, pretty beaches along Lake Michigan. It’s a great place to relax, build sandcastles, or splash in the water. One of the best activities to do is drive along the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. This road takes you to high spots where you can see amazing views of the lake, the trees, and the dunes all around you.
Camp Your Way
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore has different kinds of campsites to fit how you like to camp. You can stay at group campsites with friends and family, or try backcountry camping if you want more adventure and quiet time in nature. Although the benefits of campsites are their helpful amenities, including flush toilets, potable water, and fire rings, where you can build a campfire.
Play in the Sand and Paddle the Water
There’s a great deal of fun to be had at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Start by trying the Dune Climb as it’s a heaping hill made of sand, and when you get to the top, you can see amazing views of the land and water all around you.
But if you like being on the water, you can kayak on Glen Lake or try paddleboarding near the shore of Lake Michigan. It’s an excellent way to cool off and enjoy the sunshine.
4. Devil’s Lake State Park
Devil’s Lake State Park is one of the most loved state parks in Wisconsin. It’s ideal for people who want to go on outdoor adventures or just relax and enjoy nature.
Hike, Climb, Swim, and Observe
Camping at Devil’s Lake State Park is one of the most beautiful activities to do in the Midwest. Giant 500-foot quartzite bluffs surround a deep blue lake, creating amazing views everywhere you look. It’s also part of the Ice Age National Scientific Reserve, which means the land has a cool history shaped by glaciers long ago.
The park also has large campgrounds with clean restrooms and showers, so it’s great for families and groups. You can enjoy lunch at a picnic shelter, grab a snack from a concession stand, or rent a boat to cruise the lake. For fun and adventure, try rock climbing or bouldering on the tall bluffs. You can also swim at the north or south shore beaches or take a hike on the East Bluff Trail to see colorful leaves and awesome lake views.
5. Hawn State Park
Looking for a peaceful escape? Hawn State Park is a Missouri gem ideal for campers craving quiet trails and untouched natural beauty.
Relax in the Pines and Wander Hidden Trails
Hawn State Park is the perfect place to relax and enjoy nature without the crowds. Surrounded by peaceful pine forests and gentle, babbling creeks, this quiet camping spot is a favorite for individuals who want a calm and beautiful getaway. The park is known for its quiet trails and hidden beauty, making it feel like your own secret spot in the woods.
Campers can choose between basic or electric campsites, and there are vault toilets, picnic areas, and fresh drinking water available. For activities, take a hike on the Whispering Pines Trail for an adventure through the trees, splash around in Pickle Creek, or have a quiet picnic by the water. You can also look for birds and take photos of the peaceful forest views.
Store Your Gear Between Camping Trips With Copper Storage Management
Whether you go camping once in a while or all the time, Copper Storage Management can help you keep your camping gear organized and tidy. You can store tents, kayaks, backpacks, and camp stoves at one of our storage locations so they’re ready for your next trip. Our personal storage units are an easy way to keep everything in one place until your next adventure at one of the best camping spots in the Midwest.
Contact us online to rent or reserve your storage unit today!