I know camping is a big part of the lifestyle for a lot of us here so im wondering what some of the campgrounds, in your area, you would recommend for those of us looking for new places to enjoy the outdoors.

Ive noticed that the state parks here in ohio are, most of the time, the nices places to camp.

Every memorial and labor day weekends we go to East Harbor State park near sandusky ohio. We stay in the group camping area as we usually have 16-20 people up for the weekend. Its a lot of fun and you dont get yelled at for having a good time. Also its very close to the Ferry's that take you to the lake erie Islands. We spend a day up at put-n-bay every time we go.

So what are your favorite places to camp?

My wife and I have camped at some nice palces in Michigan. I'd say our favorite palces have been in the UP around Pictured Rocks (http://www.nps.gov/piro/) and near Traverse City in Sleeping Bear Dunes (http://www.nps.gov/slbe/). There are several nice palces around Lake Michigan as well, but I've never camped there personaly. Would like to some day. Our other the of camping has been all about a place to sleep near ORV trails (http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10365_15070-38330--,00.html).

If you set soemthing up for this summer, I won't make it with a 6 month old. We'll try to resume camping next summer. It worked out last summer with a 2yo at the time.

For short trips, we like the Mississippi Palisades State Park near Savannah, Illinois. Nice views, especially for the flatlander state.

Lake Hope, baby! Nothing else even comes close as far as camping in Ohio is concerned. Be sure to get site #114. Near by is Hocking Hills. Excellent hiking and specatular view.

For close range, Ceasar Creek, John Bryan, and Cowen are simple and relaxing. It's fun to go in the winter and have the whole place to yourself!

If you are in for a drive. The U.P. of Michigan can't be beat around the great lakes.

We have so many state parks and many more state forest camp grounds.

As mentioned pictured rocks is nice. I prefer the Porcupine Mountains in the Western U.P. tons of hiking and beautiful vistas of Lake Superior and plenty of rough spots for your Jeep, it is by far our largest state park. Also Copper Harbor at the Tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula is another hard to beat scenic spot with historic Fort Wilkins right on site of the campground. Fayette State Park in Michigan on the southern shore of Lake Michigan is a quite large copper smelting ghost town that you can enjoy hiking around.

So much to do in the U.P. of Michigan is boggles the mind. I will admit I am quite biased though.:smiley_thumbs_up:

I love the UP - it's been too long since we went up. The state park at Interlochen, just south of Traverse City, has also been highly rated. It's a very beautiful area with a music and arts camp right next door.

Try Turkey Run State Park close to the Illinois border, south of Lafayette, IN. It has mild to wild HIKING trails and you are within a resonable drive of The Badlands Off Road Park in Attica, IN.

You are also close to 30 covered bridges in Parke County, if that is something that trips your trigger.

Click here for more info on The Badlands: http://www.badlandsoffroad.com/

Southeast of Terra Haute, IN is the Redbird Off-Highway Park, in Duggers, IN, which is run by the DNR of the State of Indiana. There are camping facilites close by. About Redbird: http://www.redbirdsra.com/about.htm

BTW, Go Purdue!

Bring your U.S money to any Ontario Provincial Park in Canada

West branch has some nice jeep trials.

I'm going to agree with HoosierMud on this one. As an Indiana eagle scout I've probably gone camping in every park in Indiana. But while in school at Purdue, we went to Turkey Run all the time. The hiking is great, especially at night. We've never had a problem with DNR, and mosquitoes didn't seem too bad either. I'm also going to recommend Clifty Falls as well. Hiking the riverbed is a lot of fun, but the DNR will get you if you're out past dark.

For the best camping experience ever though, head up to Ely Minnesota and take a canoe trip into Canada for a week. Pack in a week's worth of food, catch and eat your own fish, and drink water right out of the lakes. I'm just waiting for the chance I can go back.

I live in Georgia right now, but I'm moving up to Chesterton in a month. It's going to be great to be back in Indiana.

Boiler up.