12 Midwest Road Trip Ideas

I feel like the Midwest gets a bad rap. I lived in Ohio for awhile and its really not so bad. In fact, I actually kind of liked it. Contrary to popular belief, landscapes besides cornfields DO exist. I thought I’d show the Midwest a little love by sharing a few Midwest road trip ideas! This list is meant to provide road trip destination inspo more so than lay out a specific road trip, though I think it would be pretty freakin’ awesome to turn this into an actual road trip. Maybe someday!

Midwest Road Trip Destinations

Hocking Hills State Park, OH

Located in southeastern OH, Hocking Hills State Park is an excellent road trip destination. There is no cost to enter the park and a plethora of things to do. The park contains jaw-dropping cave formations, waterfalls, and over 25 miles of hiking trails. It is conveniently located just an hour south of Columbus – another great place to check out if you’re in the area! A few of the most iconic spots within Hocking Hills State Park include Old Man’s Cave, Ash Cave, and Cedar Falls. If you want to be extra adventurous, you can kayak on the Hocking River!

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, MI

I will never not be amazed by Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and Pictured Rocks is no exception. This park was actually the United States’ first national lakeshore (others include Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in WI and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in MI! According to the NPS, “Pictured Rocks offers towering multicolored sandstone cliffs, miles of sparkling beaches, dashing waterfalls, huge sand dunes, inland lakes and streams, and deep green forests.” There is no entrance fee, so you’re free to explore nearly 100 miles of trails. Some must-see spots include Miners Castle, Chapel Rock, and Miners Falls.

Indiana Dunes National Park, IN

Since I’m trying to visit all 63 US National Parks, Indiana Dunes was part of my bucket list! This area was formerly a national lakeshore until it became a national park in February 2019, making it one of our newest national parks. The park is located in northwestern IN and is just 2.5 hours north of Indianapolis. Most national parks charge entrance fees, but this one does not. Try the 3 Dune Challenge if you’re looking for a fun experience. Alternatively, you could hike the Dune Succession trail (pictured above). It’s a relatively easy (I say relatively because you do have to walk through sand and there is some elevation gain) one mile trail that provides both beautiful views and beach access. You can actually see the Chicago skyline from across the lake on a clear day! I happened to catch the dreamiest sunset here and it was incredible.

Starved Rock State Park, IL

This beautiful state park is located just an hour and a half southwest of Chicago. The park contains 18 moss covered canyons and roughly 13 miles of trails. There’s no entrance fee. The park’s epic waterfalls (Ottawa Canyon Falls, Wildcat Canyon Falls, and St Louis Canyon Falls to name just a few) are best viewed after a heavy rainfall. Whether or not you get to see the waterfalls, the canyons in this park are insane. They were actually formed by glacier meltwater. How cool is that?! Make sure to stop at Eagle Rock Overlook for a view of the Illinois River! Lover’s Leap Overlook is another great spot worth checking out. If you want another destination to explore nearby, check out Matthiessen State Park. 

Gateway Arch National Park, MO

Located right smack in downtown St. Louis is Gateway Arch National Park – not at all what I envision when I think of a national park, but that makes it so unique! Standing at a whopping 630ft, the arch is the tallest monument in the US. The monument symbolizes the role St. Louis played in the United States’ westward expansion. This website has a ton of interesting information about the park’s history, which makes it abundantly clear as to why this site became a national park in February of 2018. Make sure to check out the museum located at the base of the arch if you go. To actually go up in the arch, the cost is $12 for adults and $4 for children. 

Maquoketa Caves State Park, IA

The caves in this beautiful state park are seemingly never ending! The park is isn’t far from Des Moines – about 3 hours northeast, so it’s the perfect spot for a day trip or long weekend if you’re in the area. Entry is free and the trails as well as the camping areas are very well-maintained. The park offers hiking options ranging from boardwalks to more rugged terrain, so there’s something for everyone! 

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Voyageurs National Park, MN

This area reminds me of upstate NY a bit (up towards the Canadian border in the Thousands Islands region). Accessing the park is a bit tricky because it’s mostly accessible by boat since it’s surrounded by lakes BUT don’t let that deter you! There are some hiking trails on the mainland that are accessible by car (see here for a comprehensive list). If you are up for renting a boat, you’ll have access to so many incredible spots. This destination is worth the extra effort required to enjoy. If you’re not comfortable renting a motorized boat (I wouldn’t be lol), you can rent a canoe instead. This is also a great place to see the northern lights if the timing and conditions are right. I don’t mean to pick favorites, but this just might be my favorite out of all the Midwest road trip ideas!

Cave of the Mounds, WI

This place is worth visiting for the simple fact that it looks totally otherworldly!! There is a $20 per person admission fee. No matter the weather outside, the caves are always 50 degrees. It doesn’t take too long to walk through the caves so if you need something else to do in the area, check out Blue Mound State Park!

Also Read: Road Trip Essentials for Your Next Adventure

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, ND

The Dakotas deserve more hype. Theodore Roosevelt National Park contains beautiful views, trails, and lots of wildlife. This park isn’t as popular as some of the other national parks, which means less crowds! It’s also the only national park named after a person, which is pretty cool. There are three units: North, South, and Elkhorn Ranch. The South Unit is the most visited since it’s located in the town of Medora. Check out the NPS website for an overview of hiking trails and what units they’re in! 

Custer State Park, SD

Again, the Dakotas are highly underrated. This is an amazing spot for some wildlife viewing and scenic drives – don’t miss Wildlife Loop and Needles Highway. I happened to cross paths with the CUTEST mountain goat family on the Needles Highway. They were just casually strolling through one of the one-way tunnels. Legion Lake and Stockdale Lake are a few more must-see spots. There is a $20 entrance fee, but it covers 7 consecutive days of entry to the park. This gem is located just 30-45 minutes away from Mount Rushmore! 

P.S. – If you want a cool (and free) way to view Mount Rushmore from a distance, check out Iron Mountain Road.

Scotts Bluff National Monument, NE

This park isn’t very large but has some extremely interesting geography and really great hiking. It’s actually a historical landmark of the Oregon Trail, California Trail, and Pony Express Trail. The history alone makes this a place worth visiting. The incredible views are just a bonus!! Located not too far away is Agate Fossil Beds National Monument – another spot worth checking out if you’re passihng through! 

Castle Rock Badlands, KS

The Castle Rock Badlands are located 10 miles south of Castle Rock itself. These amazing chalk formations have changed a lot over the years due to weather and erosion, so the area looks different in old photos than it does today.  A 4×4 vehicle is a must to navigate this area due to rough terrain. Not too far away is Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park, which is another great place to see some dramatic chalk formations!

I’d love to hear your favorite road trip destinations in the Midwest or if you have any Midwest road trip ideas of your own! Tell me in the comments!