Midwest Road Trip Guide

Published Date: April 7, 2025 By Shalee

The Midwest is the perfect place for a spring, summer, or fall road trip. It has gorgeous lakes, beautiful campsites, and endless hidden gems for exploring. Overlooked and underappreciated, this area of the United States has so much to offer.

If a road trip through the Midwest is on your itinerary, get excited! We’ve curated a road trip guide to take you to all the best parts of the region, from the waterfalls of Ohio to the shores of Lake Superior.

Midwest Road Trip Guide

Ohio

Ohio is often considered a ‘drive through state’ but if that’s all you see, you’re missing out! There are plenty of fun and adventurous things to do while making your way north on your Midwest road trip. Our favorites include:

Hocking Hills: If you aren’t looking, it’s easy to miss this beautiful natural wonder tucked away in the rolling hills of south-central Ohio. Go rappelling, explore waterfalls, catch some fish, or just relax at camp. You’ll be surprised this exists in Ohio! Where to camp: Knox Acres Campground

Sandusky & Cedar Point: In Northern Ohio, don’t miss Sandusky & Cedar Point along Lake Erie. If you’ve got kiddos, a trip to Cedar Point is a must. If looking to experience the ‘Key West of North’ during the summer, take the car ferry out to Put-In-Bay, a small island located a few miles off the coast. Where to camp: East Harbor Campground

Michigan

After Ohio, make your way north to Michigan, known as the ‘Great Lakes State.’ If you’re a fan of pristine beaches, waterspots, and beautiful sunsets, you’ll want to spend weeks or months here in your pop-up camper. It’s truly the paradise of the north!

Empire & Sleeping Bear Dunes: Cut across the southern portion of the state until you reach Lake Michigan, then enjoy a nice slow drive up the coast. Stop for some free camping in Manistee National Forest before making your way further north. Visit Sleeping Bear Dunes, check out the infamous dune climb, pack a cooler for the ultimate beach day, and go for a swim in the pristine waters of Lake Michigan. If you’re visiting in the fall, the swimming won’t be good, but just wait until you see the fall colors! Where to camp: D H Day Campground

Leelenau Peninsula: Located in the same region as Empire & Sleeping Bear Dunes, allow a day or two for exploring Michigan’s wine region. There are dozens of incredible wineries dotted along the Leelanau & Old Mission Peninsula that surround Grand Traverse Bay. Where to camp: D H Day Campground

Pictured Rocks: Cross the Mackinac Bridge to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Continue north and strap on your hiking boots for a visit to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Complete the Mosquito Beach – Chapel Rock loop trail, which tracks about 11 miles long, but includes some of the most beautiful sites in the entire state. Beware of black flies in June! Where to camp: Twelve Mile Beach Campground

Marquette: Just an hour west of Pictured Rocks is Marquette, the largest town in the Upper Peninsula. Check out Blackrocks Brewing for a draft, and head out to see the actual black rocks at Presque Isle State Park. If it’s a hot day, put on your swimsuit and find the local cliff jumping spot for a polar plunge in Lake Superior! Other nearby attractions include Sugarloaf Mountain & the Marquette Harbor Lighthouse. Where to camp: Little Presque Isle

From there, cut across the Western Upper Peninsula where there aren’t a lot of towns, but plenty of dispersed campsites, hidden adventures like Pine Mountain Ski Jump, and endless dirt roads for a ‘create your own adventure’ style trip in your Four Wheel Camper.

Wisconsin

Cross from Michigan to Wisconsin and continue to follow the shores of Lake Superior. You’ll be impressed just how far the lake stretches!

Madeline Island: Load your lightweight truck camper onto the ferry to cross a bay to Madeline Island. Pack your fishing pole and setup camp at Big Bay State Park. Hike, explore, fish, or enjoy a relaxing day along the shores of Lake Superior. You won’t regret it! Where to camp: Big Bay State Park

Apostle Islands: Kayakers, this is for you! It’s impossible to drive through northern Wisconsin in your pop-up camper and not take the slight detour to the Apostle Islands. Rent kayaks or take your own to explore the brilliant and beautiful sea caves dotted throughout the islands. Other adventures include glass bottom shipwreck tours, trout fishing, and hiking. Where to camp: Big Rock Campground

Minnesota

It’s a short three hour drive across northern Wisconsin until you hit Duluth, Minnesota. Take a day to explore town, then turn north and continue driving up along, you guessed it, Lake Superior. We told you it was a big lake!

The North Shore of Minnesota is a magical destination that feels a world away from everything else, in the best way possible.

Gooseberry Falls State Park: Located right along the Voyager Highway, Gooseberry Falls State Park is an easy and scenic stop. Run around, explore the falls, and book a campsite at the state park campground for easy access. Where to camp: Gooseberry Falls State Park

Split Rock Lighthouse: Located high on a cliff above Lake Superior, Split Rock Lighthouse is a real-life postcard. Take a small hike to Pebble Beach at sunset and to see the lighthouse from a different perspective. Where to camp: Split Rock Lighthouse State Park

Voyagers National Park: Cut away from Lake Superior and head inland to Voyagers National Park, one of the most northern and remote national parks in the United States. Unlike some other national parks that are crowded year-round, Voyagers is a hidden paradise with plenty to explore. Where to camp: Ash River Campground