There are two types of popular summer escapes from Chicago: one involves lounging at the beach, ideally in the Hamptons of the Midwest, and the other involves hiking among scenic trails accompanied by the sound of rushing water.
Today, we want to highlight the latter—a Wisconsin campground that stands out as one of the best.
While there are a lot of State parks near Chicago, Copper Falls State Park consistently attracts thousands of hikers each year for good reason.
The park boasts stunning scenery, including two 30-foot waterfalls, a 100-foot gorge, and the remnants of ancient lava flows. Yet, don’t forget about its campgrounds, which have been receiving high praise.
Copper Falls among the best in the Midwest
The Dyrt, a popular camping website and app, ranked Copper Falls third in the Midwest Region on its 2025 Best Places to Camp Awards, based on user reviews and ratings.
Located in Mellen, the park features two campgrounds with a total of 55 campsites. The North Campground features 32 sites with electric hookups, while the South Campground offers 23 non-electric sites (four of which are walk-in) and a four-person cabin equipped with padded beds and nearby shower facilities.
During their stay, visitors can enjoy activities such as hiking, bicycling, picnicking, fishing, and swimming opportunities in Loon Lake. The 1.7-mile Doughboy’s Nature Trail, which runs along the Bad River, has been recognized as one of the best hikes in Wisconsin.
