The Midwest is full of beautiful forests, lakeside beaches and quality campgrounds for the family to enjoy. Here are some of the best campgrounds in the Midwest for your end-of-summer camping trip.

Meramec State Park – Sullivan, Mo.

         Meramec State Park 

Meramec State Park is a great choice for those who love having options when it comes to outdoor activities. The park is well-known for its caves, namely Fisher Cave, which contains intricate calcite deposits and various cave wildlife. Visitors can also explore the Meramec Upland Forest; canoe, float or swim in the Meramec River; and hike the parkâ€s many nature trails.

Campers have access to sewer, water and electric campsites as well as areas for roughing it in tents. The park also offers laundry facilities, cabins and even motel rooms for those who prefer to sleep in comfort.

Brown County State Park – Nashville, Ind.

            Brown County State Park

If youâ€ve ever wondered what it would be like to ride horseback through forested hills and wooded trails, Brown County State Park is the perfect place for your next camping trip. Pony rides and guided trails are also available so your kids arenâ€t left out. However, there are plenty of hiking and trail options for those who prefer to get around on their own two feet.

Other activities include fishing, tennis, mountain biking, picnicking and playgrounds. Campgrounds in the park come with tent camping, electric camping and full hookup camping, and there are special camping areas for horsemen. No matter how you get around or where you sleep, the “Little Smokies” provides campers with an outdoor experience resembling the beauty of the Smoky Mountains.

Devilâ€s Lake State Park – Baraboo, Wis.

                Devilâ€s Lake State Park

You donâ€t have to travel to California or Florida to spend a vacation at the beach. The kids will love building sand castles and swimming in the lakeside beaches at Devilâ€s Lake State Park. Canoeing and kayaking is another family friendly option, as is hiking and biking through the Uplands Trail. Experienced climbers can scale the rock cliffs in Baraboo Hills — one of the most popular climbing areas in the Midwest.

Campers can choose from standard electric and non-electric tent and camper sites, and restroom and shower facilities are available.

Ludington State Park – Ludington, Mich.

                Ludington State Park

Ludington State Park is a laid-back camping option for those who want to relax and enjoy nature. The park is sandwiched between Lake Michigan and Hamlin Lake, making it a prime spot for boaters and beachgoers. No trip to Ludington would be complete without visiting the historic Big Sable Point Lighthouse on the shore of Lake Michigan. Your family can also enjoy fishing and swimming in the lakes, as well as biking and hiking on one of the many trails throughout the park.

Youâ€ll have no problem adjusting to camping life at Ludington — most campsites have laundry rooms, swimming pools and convenience stores nearby. Of course, roughing it in tents is always an option, too.

Considerations

No matter where your camping adventures take you, always be prepared for unexpected emergencies. Bring a first aid kit, an emergency stash of food and water and flares when camping, and protect your family with a reliable travel health insurance policy from a company like HCC Medical in case anyone needs to be hospitalized during the trip.

Donâ€t let summer fly by without creating lasting memories with your family. Take them on a camping trip to one of the Midwestâ€s best parks to connect with nature and each other.

Speaking of get-aways, what do you have plans to do for Labor Day weekend? Camping isn’t on my to do list, but I’m planning on a day trip or two to one of the local state parks in my area – look for a post coming up.

There were historical markers talking about Lewis and Clarke, and a decent cold sandwich lunch, but the view of the river valley was quite impressive, especially for a northern Indiana boy who thought a hill was a 30 foot change in elevation. Though I had seen mountains before, it was a rare occasion, and the view was fantastic and unique.

The point of sharing this article is to remind you, and myself, that road trips need not be a rush to the campsite or the park, with McDonald’s or Iron Skillets to keep oneself fueled, which I myself have been frequently guilty of. Having visited many rest stops over the years, I don’t think any two are the same, and while some really are nothing more than a bathroom with vending machines, most have some combination of natural beauty, historical significance, or unique feature that led them to be placed at mile marker 146 instead of 157. Enjoy these unique American features with a picnic, reading about the local area in the travelers’ center, or pause and take in the view as your fellow travelers hurry by.

Do you have a favorite rest stop? Or do you try to frequent rest stops or stick with the travel plazas?

When it comes to backpacking, this is especially true. Sometimes mistakes are as tiny as taking a wrong turn on the drive to the trailhead; other times backpacking mistakes can be much more serious (say, if you forget to seal up your dinner in a bear canister). Iâ€ve been backpacking for many years now and Iâ€d be lying if I said I never make mistakes anymore.

Over the years Iâ€ve taken lots of people out into the backcountry on their first backpacking trips, and Iâ€ve noticed a lot of common mistakes those people make. With summer rapidly approaching, chances are one of the readers of this post will be heading out for their first backpacking trip. If so, check out these common mistakes, so you can be sure you avoid them.

Choosing the Wrong Backpack

Beginning backpackers often underestimate the importance of choosing the right backpack. There are an infinite number of things that you should consider when choosing a backpack, but there are three main things to take into account:

1)   Torso Length

Many people make the mistake of choosing a backpack relative to their overall height. This is in fact what you shouldnâ€t do, as you should instead choose your backpack relative to your torso. To make sure you get the best fitted backpack for your trek, visit a local outdoor supply store and get fitted for one.

2)   Backpacking Style

Some backpackers prefer to sacrifice some comfort for the sake of a light backpack. Other backpackers prefer to have a heavier pack if it means more comfort at the campsite. This choice is completely up to you, and itâ€s something to keep in mind when choosing a pack.

3)   Trip Length

For shorter trips, youâ€ll want a smaller and lighter pack. For longer trips, you want a pack that can fit more gear. If you plan on backpacking a lot, Iâ€d suggest purchasing two backpacks: one for short trips and one for long trips.

Consider all three of the above things when choosing a backpack, and youâ€ll be comfortable and efficient when you hit the backcountry. Donâ€t make the mistake of choosing the wrong one, like many backpackers before you have.

Being Over-Prepared

The motto of the Boy Scouts is to “Be Prepared”. When backpacking, this advice is absolutely critical. Although, there is such thing as being over-prepared. I took my brother-in-law backpacking through the Sierras a few summers ago. It was an easy trek, just for two nights. He packed enough stuff to last a week.

My brother-in-law went out and bought all kinds of expensive, top-of-the-line gadgets that we just didnâ€t have any use for. All it meant for him was that he had to carry more stuff in his pack. While a USB powered camp stove is definitely cool, itâ€s a little much for the backcountry.

When prepping for your first backpacking trip, only take what you need; no more, no less. Find a backpacking checklist and make sure youâ€re not over-preparing. Even adding a small gadget to your pack might make a big difference if youâ€re going to be carrying it on your back for multiple miles.

Being Underprepared

On the flip side, many first time backpackers hit the trails underprepared. The effects of being underprepared can range from being uncomfortable to downright dangerous, which is why itâ€s important to make sure you review the backpacking checklist to make sure youâ€ve got what you need.

Make sure you have the right gear for the expedition youâ€re going on. This means making sure your sleeping bag will provide adequate warmth, your clothes are correct for the situation, and youâ€ve got a first aid kit that can handle anything that could happen. The last thing you want is to be up a creek without a paddle.

Ignoring the Forecast

Iâ€ll admit: this is something that even I am still guilty of. I rarely let weather ruin a planned weekend in the backcountry, but if the forecast calls for serious weather than I typically rethink my plans. Iâ€ve known some beginning backpackers that donâ€t, though.

If youâ€re a beginner, the forecast is especially important to pay attention to. Even a bit of light rain could mean you need to seriously reconsider what youâ€re packing. You might have to reconsider your clothes, your camping tents, and even the type of pack youâ€re bringing and its weight. Additionally, simply checking your iPhone weather app wonâ€t cut it. Use the National Weather Serviceâ€s website in order to get the most accurate forecast.

This guest post was provided by, Ted Levin is an avid backpacker and birder, currently planning a summer trip through the Pacific Northwest. He also enjoys sketching and writing while in the backcountry. You can connect with Ted on Google+ and Twitter.