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8 Scenic Places You’ll Fall In Love With In The Midwest

This post was updated on March 15th, 2024

Places like Florida and the Pacific Northwest may be hot spots for RVers but the Midwest is often overlooked. It’s well known for the wide open corn fields, however there’s also glimmering shoreline on the Great Lakes, lush forest, and plenty of campgrounds where RVers can pull up and enjoy it all.

Next time you’re driving through the heart of America, we highly recommend stopping by some of these parks and taking in this area’s underrated hidden beauty.

1. Ludington State Park, Michigan

campgrounds midwest
Photo by Tom Gill/Flickr

Ludington State Park is an idyllic spot for hiking and camping between Lake Michigan and Hamlin Lake. The park has amazing views with shoreline along both bodies of water, sand dunes, marshland, forest, and a 112-foot lighthouse you can hike to.

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The park has three campgrounds with tent and RV sites and electric hookups. By day, the outdoor recreation here is endless: hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing are popular options. Read more on RV Park Reviews

2. Devil’s Lake State Park, Wisconsin

campgrounds midwest
Photo by Wikipedia/Yinan Chen

Peace, quiet, and some of Wisconsin’s most breathtaking scenery lies in Devil’s Lake State Park. Not only do you have miles of hiking paths to choose from, including ones that wind along bluffs and the Ice Age Trail, but there’s also great rock-climbing, biking, and picnic areas.

For overnight stays the park has three campgrounds available. Most of the sites are first-come, first-served, and all have electric hookups. Get more details

3. Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio

campgrounds Midwest
Photo by Flickr/MPaulMD

Like stepping into Middle Earth, Hocking Hills in southeastern Ohio is completely surreal. The park has miles of hiking trails around caves, waterfalls, cliffs, and gorges.

Plus, there’s camping of all varieties for those looking to stay the night. There are sites for tents and RVs with full hookups, others with just electric hookups, and 38 cozy cabins. Read more about Hocking Hills State Park

4. Indiana Dunes State Park, Indiana

campgrounds midwest
Photo by Tom Gill/Flickr

You may not imagine Indiana having sand dunes but this is like a slice of Midwest heaven. The park has a wide, sandy beach that hugs the southern shore of Lake Michigan, postcard-worthy sunsets, and hiking trails that offer impressive views of the Chicago skyline.

It also features a year-round campground with pet-friendly sites and 50-amp electric service. Read more about Indiana Dunes State Park

5. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan

Photo by Wikipedia/Yinan Chen
Photo by Wikipedia/Yinan Chen
Yinan Chen, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons

There’s a reason Pictured Rocks has gotten over a thousand 5-star reviews on TripAdvisor—it’s a work of art by nature. With colored cliffs, sandstone formations, and hiking trails, this park has some of Michigan’s most astounding natural beauty.

The park has three campgrounds, but the sites are all rustic with no hookups and can only accommodate smaller rigs. Get more info on the National Park Service website

6. Maumee Bay State Park, Ohio

campgrounds midwest
Photo by Flickr/USFWS Midwest

On the shores of Lake Erie in northwest Ohio, Maumee Bay is just the place to go if you’re dreaming of a quiet waterside retreat. There are campsites for both tents and RVs (with 30-amp electric hookups), as well as three hiking trails, including a 2-mile interpretative boardwalk.

The park’s also home to a family fun lodge with cozy rooms, cabins, a restaurant, and an 18-hole golf course. Read more about camping here

7.  Gooseberry Falls State Park, Minnesota

campgrounds midwest
Photo by Aaron Fulkerson/Wikipedia

No drive along Minnesota’s North Shore is complete without stopping at Gooseberry Falls. The park has miles of family-friendly hiking trails to the Lower, Middle, and Upper falls, along with a bridge where you can get some of the best views.

For camping they have 69 drive-in RV sites and a few pull-thrus—all of which now require reservations (which you can get online here).

8. Grand Marais RV Park & Campground, Minnesota

campgrounds Midwest
Photo by TripAdvisor

Grand Marais (also on Minnesota’s North Shore) isn’t a state park, rather just a campground with scenic views in all directions. They’re bordered by the Grand Marais Harbor on one side and Lake Superior on the other.

Over 300 sites are available—some with full hookups and others with just water & electric. Primitive sites are available as well, offering stunning lake views and more privacy nestled in the woods. Read more about Grand Marais Campground

Have you been to any of these beautiful places before? Where do you love to go camping in the Midwest?

Also in the Midwest: The RV/MH Hall Of Fame in Elkhart, Indiana