The Midwest has no shortage of sights to see and places to visit while on a road trip, and going RVing is the best way to experience them. There’s only so much time for exploring, though, so planning ahead is vital. Part of that is choosing campgrounds, whether to make stops on the way, or to find somewhere to camp out at your destination. To make planning a little easier, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best RV resorts in the Midwest for you and your family.
INDIANA DUNES STATE PARK, CHESTERTON, INDIANA
Established in 1925 to preserve the unique landscape, Indiana Dunes State Park stretches across Lake Michigan’s southern shore with sights unlike anywhere else in the state. Massive sand dunes, over 200 feet tall, dominate the terrain away from the shore, while varied vegetation anchors the sand and hems in marshes that provide a habitat for both local animals and migrating birds. Over 16 miles of hiking trails thread through the terrain, and the nature center also offers workshops and guided tours. Fitting for a federally protected park, the campgrounds and facilities are pristine and RV friendly.
GRAND MARAIS RECREATION AREA, MINNESOTA
Another lakeside location, Grand Marais may not host a state park, but over 300 campsites—ranging from RV camping with full water, electric, and sewer hookups to secluded tent sites with stunning views of Lake Superior from the woods—await you here. Downtown’s fine North Shore cuisine and shopping is within walking distance from the camps, so transitioning between the great outdoors and civilization is easy. Along with the natural scenery, the Grand Marais Harbor itself is more than worthy of a postcard.
HOCKING HILLS STATE PARK, OHIO
Hocking Hills has camping options for just about everyone, from the RV park and rustic riverfront campgrounds to log cabins and even a local horse ranch. The scenery is just as varied, and miles of hiking trails will take you to caves, waterfalls, gorges, and more. Perhaps most popular is Old Man’s Cave, where the founder of the Hocking Region lived out his days in the wild—the secluded trail and outstanding Black Hand sandstone cliffs and gorges feel like they were pulled from a fantasy novel. You can also take in the region’s beauty by train ride or on an air tour.
PICTURED ROCKS NATIONAL LAKESHORE, MICHIGAN
It’s little wonder that many of the greatest RV resorts in the Midwest are all found at lakeside locales when you see Pictured Rocks. The three campgrounds are rustic by design and only equipped to accommodate smaller rigs, with no utility hookups and little cellphone reception—this is where you go to truly get away from it all. Sandstone cliffs and plateaus overlook Lake Superior for camping views that have to be seen to be believed. Along with hiking trails, the region is perfect for plenty of outdoor activities during any season; go down to the lake for boating, fishing, and kayaking, gear up to go hunting, or come in the winter for skiing and ice climbing.
JOHNSON’S SHUT-INS STATE PARK, MIDDLEBROOK, MISSOURI
Though the original campground was washed away in a 2005 reservoir breach, it was rebuilt and refined to its current state featuring 70 spacious RV sites and cabins. Johnson’s Shut-ins State Park covers over 8500 acres along the St. Francois Mountains, cut through by the Black River as it cascades over and around rocks. Explorers come to hike, swim, kayak, and picnic along the river and see the picturesque wooded trails following it. A local amphitheater also offers weekly presentations teaching visitors about the local wildlife.
Traveling across the Midwest in an RV offers once-in-a-lifetime experiences for campers and outdoors enthusiasts, and these RV resorts are just a small selection of what the region offers. If you’re planning a trip, contact Hilltop Camper and RV to see how we can help you purchase, rent, or finance your own RV.
Image Credit: Andrey Armyagov
