Camping in the Midwest offers a wonderful escape into diverse landscapes, from the towering pines of the Northwoods to the sweeping prairies and glittering shores of the Great Lakes. The region’s numerous state parks and national forests provide affordable, well-maintained campsites where families can unplug and reconnect with nature. With four distinct seasons and a genuine friendliness among fellow campers, the Midwest is a welcoming destination for outdoor lovers.
Sandy Springs Campground can celebrate its fifth straight year in the Top 3 in the region as campers continue to rave about the accommodations and atmosphere of the destination that sits along the Ohio River. Michigan and Minnesota, two Midwest heavyweights when it comes to camping and all things outdoors, each registered two campgrounds on the list, including the top two — Mouth of Two Hearted River State Forest Campground and the cart-in campground at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park.
Check out these and the rest of this year’s Best Places to Camp Regional Award winners in the Midwest Region, which are based on reviews and ratings from The Dyrt’s vast community of campers.
1. Mouth of Two Hearted River State Forest Campground — Michigan
Location: Newberry, MI
What makes it great: This rustic state forest campground sits right where the Two Hearted River spills into Lake Superior, and reaching it is half the adventure: roughly 30 miles of washboarded dirt and gravel roads that reviewers universally describe as rough but worth every bump. The payoff is a genuinely remote, peaceful setting with 39 first-come, first-served sites spread across two loops, one of which sits closer to the campground’s signature walking suspension bridge over the river.
The amenities are intentionally basic but well kept: clean vault toilets and hand-pump potable water, with campers repeatedly praising how spacious and semi-private the sites feel. The real draw is the water. A suspension bridge carries you over the river to a Lake Superior beach famous for rock and agate hunting, and the fishing is excellent, with brook trout and steelhead in the river and lake trout, steelhead and salmon out in the big lake. The North Country Trail runs directly through the campground, so hiking is right outside your tent, and there’s a boat launch suitable for small boats and kayaks.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “Beautiful Spot. Such a great location at the mouth of Two Hearted River from Superior. The swaying bridge over the river to Superior is right in the campground and everything is rustic and secluded.” — Stacy N.
Campground details
Price: $20
Number of sites: 39
RV sites: Yes
Fires allowed: Yes
Pets allowed: Yes
2. Split Rock Lighthouse State Park Cart-in Campground — Minnesota
Location: Two Harbors, MN
What makes it great: On Minnesota’s North Shore, this cart-in campground offers one of the most scenic tent-camping setups in the state. Campers park in a lot and use park-provided wheeled carts to haul gear up to 2,000 feet to their sites, a small effort that buys serious seclusion. There are cart-in sites plus a handful of backpack sites, several of them perched on bluffs with unobstructed views of the historic Split Rock Lighthouse and Lake Superior, while others nestle among birch and pine.
Twelve miles of hiking trails run along the lake and connect to the paved Gitchi-Gami trail, and the Day Hill trail climbs to panoramic overlooks taking in the lighthouse, Split Rock Point and distant islands. Multiple access points lead down to rocky beaches good for fishing and rock collecting. The headline attraction in the area, of course, is the lighthouse itself, and lighthouse-view sites book up first.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “This is one of my favorites not only from growing up but also nowadays, and we will enjoy it each year to come! We stayed in a cart-in site and the cart worked well, the trail was in good shape, the restrooms were well kept, and the site was beautiful.” — Emily.Michael B.
Campground details
Price: $25
Number of sites: 20
RV sites: No
Fires allowed: Yes
Pets allowed: Yes
3. Sandy Springs Campground — Ohio
Location: Stout, OH
What makes it great: Sitting on the bank of the Ohio River, this small, family-owned campground earns its reputation on two things: river views and hospitality (the owners are mentioned in nearly every review). Sites face the water with the Appalachian foothills visible in the opposite direction, and the constant parade of barges and tugboats gives the waterfront a relaxing, working-river character that reviewers find oddly mesmerizing.
Amenities are solid across the board. Full hookups with electric, water, and sewer are available, the campground takes RVs up to 70 feet with pull-through sites in the mix, and there are 30/50-amp connections plus a dump station. The private individual shower rooms each have a toilet, sink and counter space and there’s a camp store, playground and basketball area. Campers fish the river, launch inflatable paddleboards from a nearby sandy boat ramp, and hike a trailhead directly across the road that’s part of the Arc of Appalachia preserves. Shawnee State Forest is within reach for a longer trail system.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “Love this place! The owners are a family and they treat guests like an extension of family. We stayed at RV campsite 10 which was a river front site. It was full hook up which was convenient. The view of the Ohio river was really lovely.” — Heidi R.
Campground details
Price: $35-$125
Number of sites: 40
RV sites: Yes
Fires allowed: Yes
Pets allowed: Yes
4. B Berry Farms & Co. — Missouri
Location: Marshfield, MO
What makes it great: This one is a genuine original: a working blueberry and blackberry farm that doubles as a small, charming campground. Guests can pick berries right from the fields surrounding their campsites, including a novelty variety of pink blueberries that reviewers swear taste like cotton candy. Sites are tucked privately between the berry fields and walking trails, each typically outfitted with a firepit, firewood and log or homemade seating.
The setup is rustic but thoughtfully built. A cedar-walled shower house with river-rock flooring provides solar-heated hot water, and a recreation barn holds games like darts and cornhole plus a small kitchen area with a coffee pot and stove for guests. The farm accommodates RVs up to 30 feet with 30-amp electric and water hookups, and this is another property where the owners get shouted out constantly in the reviews for their care and attention.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “Love this place. Upon arrival, I could not find my site. I called the phone number and the owner came out. Very sweet woman. She showed me my spot and explained the entire property to me. Very nice property. If I’m in the area again, I will definitely stay there.” — Eric K.
Campground details
Price: $7-$48
Number of sites: 16
RV sites: Yes
Fires allowed: Yes
Pets allowed: Yes
5. Manistique Lakeshore Campground — Michigan
Location: Manistique, MI
What makes it great: This campground in the Upper Peninsula sits directly on the shore of Lake Michigan, just steps from a sandy beach. It’s a polished, almost resort-like operation: 45 sites with long, paved, level concrete pads that reviewers call the easiest setup they’ve ever had, capable of handling large rigs with ease. It runs seasonally from May through October.
Full hookups include 30- and 50-amp electric, water and sewer at most sites, plus Wi-Fi, cable TV, laundry facilities and a playground near the entrance. Six primitive tent sites round out the options. The premium lakefront sites deliver direct beach access, letting campers walk right out their door onto the sand, with a lighthouse serving as a scenic backdrop. These sites book fast, with reservations opening in December for the following season.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “This is an upscale campground. Concrete pads, wheelchair accessible picnic tables, excellent bathrooms and showers, good separation between sites and right on Lake Michigan!” — Robert B.
Campground details
Price: $36-$85
Number of sites: 51
RV sites: Yes
Fires allowed: Yes
Pets allowed: Yes
6. Sangchris Lake State Park Campground — Illinois
Location: Rochester, IL
What makes it great: Just 20 minutes from Springfield, this state park campground occupies a peninsula jutting into Sangchris Lake, and many sites sit directly on the lake, some with their own private docks for fishing. Reservations run April through mid-January, and the campground handles RVs up to 60 feet. Sites are electric-only with no individual water hookups, but water is available at common areas, and there’s a dump station for RVs.
The walk-in primitive sites on the western peninsula are a genuine bargain at $8, offering more space, solitude and privacy. The lake was seemingly made for recreation as campers come here to fish, boat and kayak. There’s a playground, pavilion and sand volleyball court, along with hiking trails and a paved campground road for biking. This is an ideal base for touring Abraham Lincoln historical sites.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “There’s really no way to describe this campground except for: Accommodating. Beautiful. Clean. Convenient. Peaceful. Relaxing.” — Jason L.
Campground details
Price: $8-$45
Number of sites: 195
RV sites: Yes
Fires allowed: Yes
Pets allowed: Yes
7. Copper Falls State Park Campground — Wisconsin
Location: Mellen, WI
What makes it great: Deep in northern Wisconsin, Copper Falls is a waterfall lover’s campground with multiple spectacular cascades within hiking distance. It operates year-round with 56 sites split between north and south loops, offering both electric hookup sites and primitive options. Sites are generously sized and heavily wooded, giving a semi-private feel.
The park’s trail system is the main event and connects directly to the campsites. The Doughboys Trail leads to viewing areas for Copper Falls and Brownstone Falls, and the North Country Scenic Trail extends to Red Granite Falls, all cutting dramatically through rock gorges. Reviewers love biking from their sites to the trailheads. There’s also a swim beach near the ranger station, a concession stand selling locally made ice cream that campers rave about, multiple picnic areas, and canoe or kayak rentals on a nearby lake.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “Fantastic place to camp. The campground was quiet and well kept. We had a walk-to site and carts were available to haul our items. The staff around the park were very helpful and loved to chat. There were many informational signs around detailing history or information on the wildlife. There were also updated postings about events in the park.” — Ashley F.
Campground details
Price: $25-$90
Number of sites: 56
RV sites: Yes
Fires allowed: Yes
Pets allowed: Yes
8. Bear Paw Campground — Itasca State Park — Minnesota
Location: Park Rapids, MN
What makes it great: Set within Itasca State Park, home to the headwaters of the Mississippi River, Bear Paw is a walk-in campground along the shore of Lake Itasca where campers park at designated areas and carry gear to their sites. It accommodates both tent campers and RVs up to 90 feet with electric hookups. Sites spread across open terrain with fire rings and picnic tables, positioned close to the lake for easy water access. The campground connects to the park’s extensive trail system, including paved paths leading to the Mississippi headwaters and unpaved routes through old-growth pine.
Wildlife is abundant but cell service is not. The surrounding park is what makes this a bucket-list destination. Campers walk or paddle to the headwaters, bike the roughly 10-mile paved loop along Wilderness Drive, climb the fire tower for sweeping views, rent pontoons, canoes and kayaks and explore historic sites. The lake water is cool and great for swimming.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “I wish I was staying longer. This campground is incredibly peaceful. Even with kids and most spots full, it’s just quiet. Lake is beautiful. Things are clean.” — Steve D.
Campground details
Price: $25-$425
Number of sites: 79
RV sites: Yes
Fires allowed: Yes
Pets allowed: Yes
9. Green Valley State Park Campground — Iowa
Location: Creston, IA
What makes it great: In southwestern Iowa about three miles north of Creston, this state park campground sits on open terrain along a lake and makes a reliable, easygoing getaway. Campers love the direct lake access, with tent sites positioned right on the shoreline and numerous spillways around the water offering easy shore fishing. Sites can even be accessed by boating directly to waterfront spots.
Fire pits come with handy swinging grates, and each site has a picnic table. The grounds are pretty and offer woodland coverage on several sides in addition to the lake views, with lovely sunrises and sunsets over the water. A roughly 10-mile loop trail circles the lake and extends toward town, suitable for both hiking and mountain biking. There are two playgrounds, a beach within walking distance via the trail, and plenty of fishing and boating.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “Great place to relax!!! We love camping here with the whole family even though we are only 20 min from home.” — Amanda W.
Campground details
Price: $16-$96
Number of sites: 93
RV sites: Yes
Fires allowed: Yes
Pets allowed: Yes
10. Sycamore Springs Park — Indiana
Location: English, IN
What makes it great: Sycamore Springs Park is a paradise for families with kids. Spread across a large property that includes Deer Lake and the Little Blue River, the park boasts over 20 playgrounds scattered throughout, plus a miniature village complete with a schoolhouse, library and playhouses, and even goats and a donkey to pet. Golf cart rentals help you get around the expansive grounds.
Water activities revolve around the fishing lake and Little Blue Creek, where visitors wade, swim, fish for sunfish and let their dogs cool off. Other features include a steel bridge with a spiral staircase offering elevated views, hiking trails and large open fields for kids to roam. Lakefront spots fill quickly in peak season.
What The Dyrt’s community of campers has to say: “So much to do with the kids, from swimming in the creek, fishing, campfires, s’mores, fresh black topped roads, and such friendly staff. Clean bathrooms and showers, and beautiful places to visit also. Tons of playgrounds too spread throughout the campground.” — Cora P.
Campground details
Price: $15-$52
Number of sites: 109
RV sites: Yes
Fires allowed: Yes
Pets allowed: Yes