15 Best Places to Go Camping in the Midwest

Planning on camping in the Midwest? There are so many amazing campgrounds to choose from!

A camping trip is one of the best things to do in the Midwest, especially for a family vacation.

There are so many beautiful places in the Midwest to discover while camping. Forests, rivers, waterfalls, and plains await you!

Pack your tent and sleeping bag or get your RV ready! Let’s look at the best places to camp in the Midwest!

15 Best Places to Go Camping in the Midwest

Starved Rock State Park in Illinois

Starved Rock State Park is one of the best places for hiking and camping in Illinois!

The campground here has 133 sites for either tents or RVs. Each has electric hookups, picnic tables, and a fire ring. There are also handicap sites.

Most of the sites have full or partial shade from all the trees.

There are shower houses with flush toilets as well as pit toilets, water spigots, playgrounds, and a dump station. The camp store is open seasonally selling firewood, drinks, ice, and camping supplies.

This is one of the best campgrounds in the Midwest and it fills up quickly. Make sure to make a reservation in advance to secure a spot.

If you want a more luxurious stay, book a room at the historic Starved Rock Lodge. Amenities include a restaurant, cafe, gift shop, pool, hot tub, and saunas.

Spend your days at the park hiking to some of the best waterfalls in Illinois, enjoying canyon overlooks, and kayaking in the pretty water.

Dunewood Campground in Indiana

The Dunewood Campground in Indiana Dunes National Park is one of the top places for camping in Indiana.

There are two loops with a total of 66 sites. Four are wheelchair accessible. Both tents and RVs are welcome.

You will love the modern restrooms with flush toilets and hot showers. Though there are no electric or water hookups, potable water is available.

This campground is closed from the beginning of November to the end of March.

Across the highway from the campground, you can explore the beautiful national park set against Lake Michigan. Swim at the beach and hike the trails through the dunes.

As one of the best campgrounds in Indiana, you cannot go wrong staying here.

This is one of the best camping areas for a weekend getaway in Indiana!

Pikes Peak State Park in Iowa

For camping in Iowa, check out Pikes Peak State Park on the Mississippi River and the Wisconsin border.

You will love the sweeping views of the river, the Native American mounds, and the hike to the pretty Bridal Veil Fall, one of the best waterfalls in Iowa.

Whether you are a tent camper or living the RV life, this is a great spot for camping in the Midwest!

The campground is pretty with lots of trees, picnic tables, and fire rings. There are electric sites, modern restrooms, and showers.

At the park store, you can buy ice, snacks, and souvenirs.

This is one of the best Midwest state parks for camping so get ready for a fun time!

El Dorado State Park in Kansas

Want to go camping in Kansas? Check out El Dorado State Park near Witchita. The large park has four campgrounds with a total of over 1100 sites.

You can also stay in one of the primitive or modern, deluxe cabins.

Whether you want a primitive tent experience or an RV spot with full utility hookups, you will agree these are some of the best campsites in the Midwest.

There are modern showers, restrooms, laundry facilities playgrounds, and picnic tables.

The campgrounds are all set around El Dorado Lake offering easy access for water recreation.

Along with swimming and boating, you will have fun at the archery range, horseback riding, or hiking in Kansas.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan Is One Of The Best Places For Camping In The Midwest

Some of the best rustic camping in the Midwest is found at the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan. This is one of the prettiest places to go in the Midwest!

Found on the Upper Peninsula on Lake Superior, this is one of the most beautiful national parks in Michigan. If you love to immerse yourself in nature, this is one of the best places to go camping!

There are three drive-in campgrounds but if you want more of an adventure, backcountry camping is a fun option.

Little Beaver Lake Campground has eight sites. A boat ramp leads into Little Beaver Lake.

Overlooking Lake Superior, Twelvemile Beach Campground has 36 sites. You can hike the pretty 2-mile White Birch Nature Trail.

Hurricane River Campground has 21 sites. It sits on Lake Superior with easy beach access. You can also hike to the Au Sable Light Station.

All three campgrounds have vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings. There are no utility hookups. Each campground has at least one wheelchair-accessible site.

Vehicles and trailers cannot exceed 42 feet for any of the campgrounds. They are all open from mid-May through mid-October.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan

Another great place for camping in Michigan is the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

D.H. Day Campground near Glen Arbor is a popular Midwest campground because it is nestled in pretty woods on Lake Michigan. There are vault toilets as well as firewood and potable water seasonally.

It is an easy walk to Glen Haven Beach. You can also step back in time at the historic Glen Haven Village or set out on the epic Dune Climb.

This campground is open from late April through late November. If you visit off-season, some features are unavailable.

Farther south on the lakeshore is the Platte River Campground. While it is not right on Lake Michigan, you can easily hike or drive to the lake. Many smaller lakes are nearby as well.

Tent and RV parking is available. There are 179 sites including some that are wheelchair accessible.

This campground features restrooms with flush toilets and camp sinks, hot showers, fire pits, picnic tables, electric hookups, and more. It is open year-round.

Itasca State Park in Minnesota Is A Great Place For Camping In The Midwest

Established in 1891, Itasca State Park is one of the best places for camping in Minnesota as well as the state’s oldest state park.

Here you will find the headwaters of the Mississippi River, an old-growth pine forest, and over 100 lakes. It is also a fantastic place for birdwatching and discovering native plants.

Bear Paw Campground is found right on the water with tent and RV sites as well as cabins to choose from.

There is a restroom, showers, and playground. Pine Ridge Campground is another option with similar amenities.

There are also plenty of backpack campsites if you feel like roughing it!

If you want a more comfy stay, you can book a room at the historic Douglas Lodge. Built in 1905, you will love the rustic charm and fireplace in the lounge. There is also a restaurant on site and WiFi.

Pulltite Campground in Missouri

Found in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, the Pulltite Campground is one of the best places for camping in Missouri.

This remote campground is located on the Current River in Shannon County. Anyone interested in canoeing will want to come here for camping in the Midwest.

The Current River is popular for canoeing. You will love floating through the pretty water nestled among trees. Canoe, tube, and kayak rentals are available on-site.

If you want to go hiking in Missouri, set out on the Pulltite Nature Trail. This is a 1.5-mile moderate loop with interpretive panels.

You can pitch a tent or park your RV. The campground features flush toilets, showers, picnic tables, fire pits, and grills.

Apgar Campground in Montana

One of the best places for camping in Montana is Apgar Campground. It is the largest campground in Glacier National Park found just off the Going-To-The-Sun Road next to Lake McDonald.

There are nearly 200 campsites for both tents and RVs. Handicap-accessible sites are available as well. The sites are spread out with lots of trees so you have privacy.

Amenities include restrooms with flush toilets, showers, spigots with potable water, an amphitheater with ranger programs, and picnic tables.

The lake is just a short walk away and provides a jaw-dropping background for sunset! There are also many hiking trails nearby.

If you are looking for a beautiful place for camping vacations, this is it! The campground is open year-round but some features are only available during the summer.

Branched Oak State Recreation Area in Nebraska

The Branched Oak State Recreation Area is one of the best places for camping in Nebraska.

There are multiple campgrounds around Branched Oak Lake equaling over 330 sites. Some require a reservation while others are first-come, first-served. There is also an equestrian campground.

These Midwest campgrounds vary from primitive to modern with full utility hookups. Features among the sites include restrooms, showers, playgrounds, boat ramps, and picnic tables.

Enjoy your time in this beautiful area boating, hiking, swimming at beaches, biking, and wildlife viewing.

A visit to Branched Oak State Recreation Area is definitely one of the top things to do in Nebraska.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota

If you want to go camping in North Dakota, Theodore Roosevelt National Park is one of the best options!

There are two main campgrounds in the park, Cottonwood Campground and Juniper Campground. If you have horses, you can stay at the Roundup Group Horse Campground.

The Cottonwood and Juniper Campgrounds are both primitive and allow tents and RVs, though there are no hookups. They each have picnic tables, restrooms, and potable water seasonally. They are both open year-round.

Make sure to keep an eye out for bison wandering through the campgrounds!

Have fun in the vast park hiking, canoeing, stargazing, and wildlife viewing. Along with bison, you might see elk, golden eagles, prairie dogs, mule deer, and more!

This is one of the best national parks in the Midwest and should not be missed out for your next camping vacation!

John Bryan State Park in Ohio

Come to the John Bryan State Park Campground to enjoy camping in Ohio!

This Midwest campground is pretty and shady with plenty of trees. It is also pet-friendly. There are over 60 sites, some of which have electric hookups. The sites also have fire rings and picnic tables.

Restrooms, showers, and drinking water are available. The camp store is open seasonally selling firewood, ice, and other supplies.

This is easily one of the best campgrounds in Ohio for a family trip!

John Bryan State Park offers some of the best hikes in Ohio featuring a limestone gorge, pretty woodland, and waterfalls. There are multiple trails of different lengths and difficulties.

Other things to do in the park include disc golf, mountain biking, picnicking, and rock climbing.

Overall, this is one of the most scenic state parks in Ohio and is a great place for Midwest camping!

Robbers Cave State Park in Oklahoma

Robbers Cave State Park is one of the top state parks in Oklahoma with a fascinating history and cool landscape. Outlaws once hid out in the caves here.

This park is also one of the best places for camping in Oklahoma. There is plenty of accommodation choices including some unique options.

Grap a primitive tent site for a classic Midwest camping adventure or reserve an RV spot to make use of the water, sewer, and electric hookups. Combined, there are 200 tent and RV sites.

There is an equestrian campground too.

You can also stay in one of 26 rustic cabins or book a room at the Robbers Cave Lodge. For a more interesting place to stay, book a night at one of the yurts or the covered wagon.

Spend your time in this park, rock climbing, canoeing, biking, and hiking in Oklahoma.

Custer State Park in South Dakota Is One Of The Best Places For Midwest Camping

Found in the Black Hills, Custer State Park is one of the most beautiful state parks in South Dakota. You’ll be awed by the dazzling lakes, incredible rock formations, and roaming bison.

If you plan on camping in South Dakota, this park offers nine different campgrounds as well as backcountry camping.

No matter which campground you choose, you will be surrounded by amazing nature. Most are close to either a lake or a creek. If you want to go swimming or hiking, many sites are close to beaches or trails.

The campgrounds vary with either flush or vault toilets. Most have showers and all have drinking water.

Some are not equipped for large RVs so pay attention to which site you pick.

For something a little more cozy, you can stay at one of the park’s cabins or lodges.

You will enjoy some of the best Midwest camping in this stunning park!

Rock Island State Park in Wisconsin

If you are looking for things to do in Door County, Wisconsin, head to the pretty Rock Island State Park on Lake Michigan.

This is a wonderful place for camping in Wisconsin if you want a remote spot to explore. You’ll need to take two ferries to get to this undeveloped Midwest paradise.

This is truly a primitive camping experience since all equipment must be backpacked in and no vehicles are allowed on the island.

The park has 40 basic campsites with a picnic table and a fire ring. There are vault toilets. Drinking water is available next to the dock and firewood can be purchased.

The park really offers some of the best Lake Michigan campgrounds for adventurers!

Spend time on the island swimming, hiking, kayaking, and touring the historic Pottawatomie Lighthouse.

The ferry runs from Memorial Day through Columbus Day. You can also use your own boat.

Packing List When Camping In The Midwest

Whether you are driving or flying into the Midwest here are some tips on how to pack lightly when packing to go camping in the Midwest.

A concealed travel pouch may be one of the most important items you bring along when staying at the best Midwest campsites 

It is always important to protect your personal information. Identity thieves are everywhere.

This unisex RFID-blocking concealed travel pouch is lightweight and comes in several colors. It has lots of organization to give you peace of mind.

You can place it under your clothes next to your body to carry your ID safely.

If you have a pouch already that does not come with RFID protection, as I do, these RFID sleeves are the perfect solution.

If you are planning on taking a lot of pictures with your phone you will definitely want to consider an external charging battery.

This Anker high-speed phone charging battery is the exact one I carry with me on all of my trips.

I like that it holds its charging capabilities for several uses so I do not have to worry about it while out and about, and if I forget to recharge it at night, it will still be good to go the next day.

My daughter gifted me with this FugeTek selfie stick and tripod setup for my birthday. I absolutely love it! It is made of lightweight aluminum and is so easy to use.

It has Bluetooth connectivity and is a breeze to use for taking Insta-worthy selfies while discovering island getaways in the US.

I never much believed in using packing cubes when traveling. That is until I tried them. Now I am hooked. These are the exact cubes I use to stay organized when I pack for a trip!

You will want to bring your own refillable water bottle with you. 

I never leave home on a trip without my Bobble filtration bottle. The 18.5-ounce size is perfect for your adventures and it fits nicely in the pocket of a backpack.

The replaceable carbon filters ensure fresh drinking water whenever you want it.

Perhaps you are traveling a long distance and packing space is a premium in your suitcase, or in your car.

Then this collapsible silicone foldable water bottle would work well for you. Would not take up much space at all. 

You will want a backpack or daypack with you to store snacks, your water bottle, phone, extra clothes, etc.. while visiting Missouri’s National Parks. No matter the time of day or evening.

This foldable water-resistant backpack would be great. And it comes in many different colors.

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Hopefully, you found some of the best places to visit in the Midwest for camping for your next adventure!