Your guide to camping in the Midwest and just beyond

Pinery Provincial Park, Canada

Why we like it: Yes, this isn't technically in the Midwest, but this gorgeous sunset beach park on Lake Huron in Ontario is just a two-hour drive from downtown Detroit.

What to do: Find forest landscapes and dunes with walking and bike trails amid a rare, diverse, and fragile ecosystem of 800 plants and 300 bird species, according to Ontario Parks.

• Rent canoes, hydro bikes, paddle boards and kayaks to explore the Old Ausable River channel.
• The park is also known for its cross-country skiing.

Zoom in: Campsites with or without electrical hookups are available along Old Ausable near water taps, flush toilets and laundry. One area is open year-round for winter campers.

• Many of the sites are within walking distance from the beach.
• Eight rustic cabins are available for rental, plus six tentlike yurts.

Zoom out: Alongside your trip to Pinery, visit the hundreds of vendors offering produce, cheese, baked goods and more every Sunday at Pinery Market — or tour Ontario's wine country.

• Also consider driving another hour east from Pinery to check out Stratford, an arts- and theater-centric town known for its large bevy of plays of Shakespeare.

If you go: The park is at 9526 Lakeshore Road RR2, Grand Bend, Ontario.

• Reserve campsites or cabins online or over the phone.

Blackwell Campground, Illinois

Why we like it: Archery, fishing and kayaking just 30 miles outside Chicago, plus, hiking and biking trails at these campsites in DuPage County Forest Preserves and a fenced-in park for your doggie to run off-leash.

Zoom in: Tents, trailers and motorhomes are welcome with access to electricity, gravel parking pad, fire rings and picnic tables.

• It's also about a 20-minute bike ride from the Wheaton Metra Stop.

Yes, but: There are no sewage or water hookups, but sites are close to portable toilets and a shower house with flushable toilets.

Zoom out: If you're craving some big city action, it's about five miles to Naperville where you can enjoy the beautiful Riverwalk.

• There are top-notch restaurants in the western 'burbs like Kim's Uncle Pizza and the French Market in Wheaton.

The intrigue: A 13,000-year-old skeleton of a woolly mammoth, one of the oldest finds of its kind in northeastern Illinois, was discovered at the campground in 1977.

If you go: Enter at the north side of Butterfield Road, 0.25 mile west of Winfield Road. Reservations are $20/night for DuPage residents and $35/night for non-residents and must be made at least three days in advance.

Shades State Park, Indiana

Why we like it: Shades is the less busy cousin to nearby Turkey Run, one of Indiana's most-visited state parks, offering an equally wonderful experience for campers, hikers, canoers and families without the crowds.

What to do: Hike along the beautiful sandstone cliffs overlooking Sugar Creek, descend into six ravines, and climb back out using ropes and ladders. There are trails for every experience and adventure level.

• You can also paddle Sugar Creek, traveling through parks and under several covered bridges (depending on your desired trip length).

Zoom in: The great thing about camping at Shades is the ease of booking a site, which you can usually do just a week or two in advance.

• There are 101 non-electric campsites suitable for RVs, trailers, cars and tents.
• Plus: Sites are pet-friendly, equipped for a campfire, and have a picnic table.
• The campground has shower facilities, toilets, water fill stations, and a playground.

Zoom out: Just 20 minutes down the road is Turkey Run State Park, with even more hiking trails.

• About 17 miles northeast of Shades is Crawfordsville, the nearest city with plenty of restaurants and a winery.
• Nearby Parke County is home to dozens of covered bridges.

If you go: Shades State Park is at 7751 S. 890 W., Waveland, Indiana.

• Camping is available year-round but with reduced amenities November-April. The nightly fee ranges from $10-$24.
• Reserve a site online.

Hitchcock Nature Center, Iowa

Why we like it: The center is on about 1,500 acres of prairie, savannah and woodlands among the Loess Hills in western Iowa, about two hours from Des Moines.

• Tent, RV and backcountry camping are available; and there are year-round lodge room rentals.

What to do: The lodge is located on the park's highest point and includes a gallery, gift shop, and a recently renovated observation deck known for its Hitchcock Hawkwatch, which counts an average of 13,000 raptors annually.

• A 10-mile system of unpaved trails offers easy ridgeline walks or difficult climbs for hiking, snowshoeing and birdwatching.
• The Loess Hills National Scenic Byway runs through the area and provides scenic views and majestic overlooks.

Zoom in: RV sites have electric and water hookups, bathrooms and a shower house.

• Group tent sites include nearby shower facilities, non-flush restrooms and Wi-Fi.

Zoom out: The center is about 20 minutes from Council Bluffs, where you can visit the Historic Squirrel Cage Jail and the Bregant House — known as "Little People's House," built for former Vaudeville performers who were no more than 42" tall.

• Loess Hills State Forest is about 40 minutes away for additional outdoor recreation.

If you go: 277792 Ski Hill Loop in Honey Creek.

• Park admission is $5 per vehicle; camping is $10-$50 a night.
• Lodge hours, through November, are 11am-3pm Tuesday-Friday; 9am-5pm Saturday and noon-4pm Sunday.

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Minnesota

Why we like it: It offers pristine beauty in one of the most remote places left in the lower 48 states. The federally designated Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is over 1 million acres of lakes, streams and forests along Minnesota's northern border with Canada.

What to do: 1,200 miles of canoe routes, 12 hiking trails and fantastic fishing.

Zoom in: There are 2,000 campsites in the Boundary Waters, but they're not for the inexperienced. Most are accessible only by canoe/kayak and often require portaging. There's no potable water available, so you'll have to boil or filter lake water.

• Campsites are free and first come, first served.

Zoom out: The small town of Ely is a major starting point for Boundary Waters adventures. It's also home to the International Wolf Center and the North American Bear Center.

• On the eastern side of the BWCA, the main jumping-off city is Grand Marais on the North Shore. Sven & Ole's pizzeria and Angry Trout Cafe are popular.

If you go: Make a plan first. Permits are required to enter the BWCA, but there's a limited number available per day at each entry point from May 1 through Sept. 30. They cost $16 for adults and $8 for kids.

Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Missouri

Why we like it: This was the first national park area to protect a river system, stretching along the Current and Jacks Fork, "two of the finest floating rivers found anywhere," the National Park Service argues.

What to do: "Grab one of the undeveloped camping areas along the Current River. Lug your cooler and a camping chair into the water. And then swap stories, beverages and high-fives with everyone who comes floating along your campsite," says Ryan M., a friend of Axios Local.

• Or you can float or kayak right up to your campsite, he adds. "What else could you possibly need?!"

Zoom in: The riverways have designated and developed camping areas as well as backcountry and primitive options. It's a great way to beat the heat, as the spring-fed rivers stay at about 57 degrees throughout the summer!

• The NPS reports about 1.5 million people visit the park, about 2.5 hours southwest of St. Louis, every year.

Yes, but: If camping isn't your thing — but floating is — the rivers are floatable year-round.

• Guided tours of Round Spring Cave are available during the summer — and hiking trails through the Ozarks are also an option.

If you go: There are three visitor centers, including at Alley Spring at 12185 Alley Hollow Road, Eminence, MO.

• Through mid-October, developed campsites with potable water, showers, flush toilets and some water/electric hookups cost $20-140 depending on the size.
• Backcountry campsites with fire rings and vault toilet restrooms range from $10-65, and primitive sites are always free. Prices drop between Oct. 16 to April 14.
• Reserve online.

Mohican State Park Campground, Ohio

Why we like it: Whether you want to rough it or stay in a refined cabin, this classic Ohio campground has something for everybody and is less than 90 minutes from Columbus or Cleveland.

What to do: The area is Ohio's "Canoe Capital," with several rental companies nearby.

• Nearby hikes include picturesque sights like Big and Little Lyons Falls, a historic covered bridge, and views from a 360-degree fire tower.
• Tour a restored 1800s relic, the Wolf Creek Grist Mill.

Zoom in: Mohican's large campground offers 100 electric and 33 non-electric sites and 51 with full hookups for RVs. Showers with flushable toilets are available.

• Plus: It's pet-friendly and kid-friendly, with amenities like a Nature Center, free "gem mining" at the campground store, and a pool open Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Zoom out: The village of Loudonville is just a few miles up the road.

• Grab a drink at Ugly Bunny Winery, with live music from 6-9pm Friday and Saturday, or take the kids to drive go-karts and play mini golf at Mohican Adventures.

If you go: 3116 State Route 3. Campsites are open year-round and cost $21-50 per day, depending on amenities and time of year.

• Summer weekends are mostly full, but there's lots of availability during the week and throughout September. You can make a reservation up to six months in advance.

West Branch State Park, Ohio

Why we like it: Your ideal family camping trip awaits less than an hour from Cleveland and 30 minutes from Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

What to do: Bring your swimsuits. Located around the Michael Kirwan Reservoir in Portage County, West Branch is a boater's paradise, with canoe and kayak rentals, sailboats, pontoons and jet skis zipping in and out of the coves and feeder channels.

• It provides optimal fishing, too, with abundant walleye, muskie and striped bass.

Zoom in: West Branch is set up for families, with more than 200 sites, full hookup and 50-amp electric sites for RVs — pets permitted on all of them — showers, laundry facilities, and a camp store for last-minute essentials.

• Three enormous group camping sites feature six picnic tables and two fire rings are optimal for bigger outings.
• Mountain biking, disc golf and an eight-mile Buckeye Trail loop offer plenty of daytime activities when you're not on the water.

Be smart: Cuyahoga Valley doesn't allow overnight camping, so if you're National Park road-tripping, you'll need a nearby site like West Branch for your overnights.

Zoom out: The park is only 10 miles from downtown Kent, a lively university town. Check out Mike's Place for over-the-top kitschy American fare.

If you go: Pop 5570 Esworthy Road, Ravenna, Ohio into the GPS. Campsites (generally $28-$34) are popular over the summer, so reserve sooner rather than later.

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Wisconsin

Why we like it: This 21-island archipelago on Lake Superior's south shore gives campers access to crystal clear waters and red sandstone sea caves. Many campsites sit near sandy beaches.

What to do: Kayaking, hiking and beach bumming. If you're brave enough, quick swims in the chilly Lake Superior.

Zoom in: 18 of the 21 islands have campsites, but they're only accessible by sea kayak, motor boat, sailboat, shuttle service or water taxi.

• Most individual and group campsites on the Apostles have a fire ring, picnic table, bear-resistant food locker and nearby privy. Some islands have seasonally available potable water, but you should check ahead and be prepared if they don't.

Zoom out: Bayfield is the jumping-off point to the Apostle Islands. Mannypenny Bistro is a good place for a fuel-up breakfast. Just south of Bayfield, in Washburn, Good Thyme Restaurant is an excellent choice for dinner.

• A quick ferry ride to Madeline Island — the largest of the 21 — puts you in the fun town of La Pointe, where you can visit the legendary Tom's Burned Down Cafe. The word "cafe" is misleading because it's a bar on a 40-foot trailer where people drink and listen to music.

If you go: $15 a night for individual and primitive campsites and $30 for group campsites, plus a $10 fee per trip. Reservations can be made 30 days in advance.

• Be sure to plan if you're taking a ferry or water taxi.

Axios reporters Sam Allard, Jason Clayworth, Annalise Frank, Nick Halter, Arika Herron, Emma Hurt, Carrie Shepherd and Alissa Widman Neese contributed to this story.