Camping in the midwest

[heidi0622]

I'm trying to plan a camping trip for Labor Day weekend. I am looking for recommendations of places to go within 5 hours of Chicago. I am looking in the Illinois, Southern/Central Wisconsin, South/Central Michigan or Indiana area. Any recommendations?

We are not hard-core campers, but we will be in tents. We'd like a place with electrical hook-up. For the weekend, we'd like to do some hiking and swimming if possible.

Any thoughts or ideas?

[sublime311]

Howdy! I don't have specific recommendations for your area, but I do have a couple links to share with you:

Reserve America - this is my favorite site for campground research. You can also make online reservations for most campsites (especially handy for holiday weekends) and lets you even choose your own site. LOVE IT!

Go Camping America - This page on that website lists some campgrounds (along with descriptions) near Chicago.

Good luck and have fun!

[shopaholic]

I have been to several places near Chicago. Mostly all in Wisconsin.

You can go up by Lake Bluff (is that what its called) by Baraboo. I have been to Wheelers and another campground (will have to get the name) and I believe both had swimming pools.

Just recently my BF and his family went to a place about 1 hour from Naperville. I am not sure where exactly (I can find out for you) because I decided to sit that one out. Wasn't in a camping mood

[GeekGirl]

Door County, WI is beautiful!

[Hello Kitty]

Check out the Wisconsin State DNR's site - they have lots of sites with electic. I know b/c we have tons of trouble finding primitive sites with no electric Wildcat Mt State Park is really nice.

The Sand Ridge State Forest in IL is really, really cool. It's a very interesting environment and worth checking out.

[*Jen*]

I live in Northwest Indiana and we ALWAYS go camping at Indiana Beach It's nice there plus the park and water park are right across the road.

I've never been there but FI has also gone camping at Turkey Run State Park I've been on the trails at Turkey Run but never camping...FI said it's really nice and fairly inexpensive.

Those are 2 opposites...it depends on what you're looking to do...like whether you want to hike or go on rides or water rides.

Hope this helps!!

*~Jen~*

[lawyergirl25]

I *love* camping in Wisconsin. I second the Door County suggestion!

[boilermaker]

I have never been camping in WI but have heard wonderful things about it.

I have been camping at Pokagen State Park in Angora IN (about 3 hrs from Chicago) and it is really nice. They have electrical at most campsites and a big lake to swim, rent jet ski's etc. There is also a hotel there so if you decide not to cook around the campfire, you can always hit the restaurant