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Originally Posted by iluvuk
Heading to Minnesota and Wisconsin (from the west) for the very first time and looking for recommendations of must see state/national parks, or attractions. We like hiking, nature, parks, etc. We also like unique sites, museums, caves, etc. We do not need hookups and are fine with dry camping. We plan to stay 1-2 nights max in a location and then move on. The trip will be the last 10 days of September so it is late in the year, but looking for recommendations of must see places in those states at that time of year.
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Lots of good suggestions above! I will add a little.
Wyalusing State Park. It is at Prairie Du Chien where the Wisconsin River joins the Mississippi River.
At least 2 nights. You could spend a week there. Walk the bluff trail. Canoe or Kayak the back water trail. Visit nearby Villa Louis History Museum. Nearby Effigy Mounds National Monument. Eagles, deer, fish, migratory birds in abundance. Rent a boat and picnic on an island sand beach in the Mississippi River.
At end of September there will be ample space for 30 ft units. Possibly bigger, see website.
https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/
It may be better to get weekend reservations in advance. All sites must be reserved on-line until "off season".
Pattison State Park for big rigs or Amnicon Falls State Park for smaller rigs. They are a little south west of Superior WI. See the dramatic water fall there. They are good for at least 2 nights.
https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/ All sites must be reserved on-line until "off season". Weekend reservations in advance may be needed.
Apostle Island National Lake Shore
https://www.nps.gov/apis/index.htm
Kayak to the wilderness islands.
Boat tours of all sorts
There are endless
US Forest Service rustic campgrounds all across northern Wisconsin. They are first come, first serve, self registration sites. Accommodation of big rigs varies a lot. Arrive early on Friday and stay until Sunday morning if campgrounds are still crowded in late September. They are good for short stays and or fishing.
Porcupine Mountain State Park in Upper Michigan has excellent wilderness trails and overlooks. It closes early in the season and open in early summer. Check status before heading for it.
Peninsula State Park on the Door County peninsula. Big rig friendly.
Door County is a tourist destination. It is big boat country. Take a tour.
There are many small towns with lots of small tourist attractions. There are wineries and crafts. September will be harvest time for fruit at road side stands, big and little. Eat dinner at a Fish Boil if you can find one.
Bolder Lake National Forest Service campground near the Wolf River. Make reservations, or just drop in.
https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233777
The campground is good for two nights. Raft trips on the nearby wild Wolf river are great if there is lots of water in the river. There are multiple raft outfitters there. Rent a raft or take a guided trip. Reservations and planning can make it a success.
I loved the day trips on the Indian reservation nearby when I was younger. Good for the adventurist in you. They are not great at advertising. You may have to dig for it.
https://www.facebook.com/bigsmokeyfallsrafting/
https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffab&q=wol...sconsin&ia=web
Kohler Andrae State Park On Lake Michigan Near Sheboygan. It is well north of Milwaukee. Dog Beach, People Beach, dune trails, deer, etc Good for 3 or 4 days. Some big rig sites.
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/kohlerandrae
Kettle Moraine North State Forest There are two main campgrounds here, Long Lake and Mauthe Lake. On line reservations required. You may be able to reserve the same day. Week ends may be crowded. Advance registration is advised. End of September may be less crowded.
Short and long trials among the glacial terminal moraines and kettles. The longest trails extend across the state.
At this point we have circled Wisconsin Dells and Devil's Lake State Park in South Central Wisconsin. This is a crowded tourist destination. It will probably take some planning for a successful visit. Devil's Lake Park has a beach and bluff trails with spectacular vistas. You will probably need reservations.
Near by Wisconsin Dells advertises the biggest water park in the world. All the tourist attractions are centered around the Dells Boat tours. Take upper and lower Dell boat tours. Visit endless water parks.
Wisconsin has hundreds of State Parks all good for at least two nights. Some are spectacular for wilderness lovers.
Wisconsin also has endless National Forest service rustic campgrounds. All good for at least one night.
The Apostle Islands Sea Shore is the only National Park.
All State Parks require on-line reservations for camp sites. You can make same-day reservations if sites are available. Many parks switch to first come first serve with self-registration during late fall and winter seasons. If the reservation site seems to show no sites, that park has probably shifted to first come first serve. It can be disorienting. Northern parks switch sooner.
Day passes are required for all entry to state parks. A day pass at one park is good for all parks on that day. There is an annual pass that makes that easy.
Use the reservation website to find big rig friendly sites. Electric sites often stay booked well into late fall. Reservations are recommended for electric sites.
Most camp grounds have a dump station. All have water. There are a few "rustic" campgrounds. Rustic site users are entitled to use dump sites at other state parks for no additional charge.
Wisconsin State Parks:
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Parks
Reservations site:
https://wisconsin.goingtocamp.com/
Enjoy!
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