InSandy

Camping in the midwest in July. Is there a reason I shouldn't? Specifically I'm wondering if it gets too hot or if the bugs are too bad.

tomfuller

It makes a big difference if you set up a tent or pull in with a motorhome and plug into electric to run an air conditioner.
Try to find a yurt for a night or two.

iowagirl

My idea of camping is a Marriott, so take this for what it's worth.

Iowa and Missouri in July are typically very buggy, hot and humid. Minnesota will likely be a bit cooler, but will have more mosquitoes.

I wouldn't camp in a tent here in July if you paid me.

Ozarksbill

Good heavens, you can't just talk about the Midwest as a whole! Just moved from Missouri and lived in Illinois and have camped all over. Of course it can get hot in July. But not so likely in Wisconsin or Michigan especially near a lake. But that's also true Bennett Springs St Pk in MO or Lake Okoboji in IA or Crab Orchard Lake in IL, etc. Years gone by we have been in a tent, then fold downs, then travel trailers. And it does cool down at night and many units do have airconditioning. Obviously iowagirl is indeed a motel camper who like many detests bugs.
Bill in Boston

apersuader65

As for Missouri, it really depends upon where in the state you might be as to weather. I've seen it 80 degrees as the overnight LOW, and I've seen it cooler than that as a high. Mosquitos and bugs really depend upon where you are as well. Marshy areas will be buggier.

As the above posts also illustrate, there's a broad perspective on what "camping" means.

iowagirl

Bill: I'm convinced that the person who invented window screens spent a July in Iowa, God bless 'em. ;-)

Happy and safe camping, Sandy!

Leann

We camped for years during late June in Missouri. It has never been uncomfortable. We have camped and floated around Steelville, Mo in June and July and Caulfield in October. I have never had any problem that I can recall with bugs just a lot of dark skies and bright stars. It can get warm but we have never been greatly uncomfortable. Our campsites are usually shady. Nights can cool off depending on the overall daytime temperature.

Ozarksbill

Let it be recognized that iowagirl like our daughter-in-law is not an outdoors camper. These people may also prefer cruise ships and resorts, perish the thought. I do recall one miserable night camping in MO that was terribly hot and dear D-in-L was miserable in a tent. Park ranger would not let us run a cord across a road from our camper for a fan! Regulations!@#$

But I do wonder...is camping (not big RV rigs) out of date?

annesherrod

I have several friends who canoe and camp in central MO all summer and are very comfortable at night.

If the forcast calls for sweltering heat near 100 - well I would cancel and go to The Four Seasons!!

WhereAreWe

You're best bet in Minnesota is along the North Shore - the breeze coming off Lake Superior will help keep the bugs away and keep the temps down. Specifically, Split Rock Lighthouse SP has a few campsites pretty much right on the cliffs over the lake that are great.

I've camped a couple times inland in Minnesota in summer and it's not fun, once you get into the woods the black flies and mosquitoes are unbearable. The more open areas in campgrounds are better but still, I'd stick with a campground along Lake Superior or another large lake. I think Madeline Island in Wisconsin would be great too - a state park is on the island right out in Lake Superior, you need to take a ferry to get there.

Your other option(s) in Minnesota are to head to the drier southwest or northwest areas, fewer bugs but a bit hotter. More of a prairie environment in those areas.

Ozarksbill

Oh yes, I've camped and canoed several times in N. Minn. and Canada in Boundary Waters. Also done canoeing in Current R. and Jacks Fork and Niangua. I think we should just recognize that in the summer it could be hot and muggy but it could also be lovely with a breeze. And if you can't stand flies and other bugs just don't camp or canoe or even picnic in a park or BBQ in your backyard.

InSandy

I must have forgotten I posted this. Sorry

I appreciate all the comments though, they still give me a good idea of what we will be facing. I would be tent camping in between hotel stays as a way to keep costs down on a long midwest tour. So choosing a nice place on a northern lake will not happen, I am trying to find places to camp somewhere between various specific places.

Ozarkbills, Tent camping sure does seem to be the little brother to all those RV's. When I was young we would camp without a tent, so it was a big step up for me to buy one when we got married. Still using our trusty Springbar. But the RV's can overwhelm us. I try to stay away from places they congregate.

I've decided against camping in OK and Missouri. But I found what I hope is a good place in southern Iowa... on a lake. So that means muggier? buggier? Oh well, we will deal with it. Knowing me it will rain, it always does when I camp. We will also be camping in southern MN and South Dakota, and maybe on the Wyoming plains.

Again thanks for the replys

WhereAreWe

Where in southern MN? or S. Dakota? I really liked Blue Mounds State Park in Minnesota, not far off the interstate, relatively dry so not a lot of bugs. And lots of places in South Dakota - Badlands and Black Hills are great.

InSandy

Yup Badlands is on the way home so that will be one place.
It looks like there are so many good places to camp in MN. We will be near Forestville/Mystery Cave.

WhereAreWe

Check out Whitewater State Park - I was looking for parks to visit this summer and their homepage mentioned a noticeable lack of mosquitoes. I thought of this thread when I saw that.

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_par...ter/index.html

I would think Mystery Cave would pale in comparison to Jewel and Wind Cave in the Black Hills area. Never been to any of them, just my guess. Forestville is nice for a visit, not too far from Whitewater so maybe a daytrip from there?

InSandy

See, it is the fact they have to advertise no mosquitos makes me wonder about camping anywhere.... do the citron candles help at all?

We have seen Wind Cave and weren't too impressed with it actually.

Ozarksbill

My question for InSandy...on a trip with only occasional camping would you have room for a tent and camping gear? I do remember one trip we took when our older kids decided unexpectedly to come along. So we rented a van and did some tent camping along with motels in New Orleans and San Antonio destination. This was a summer with a big scare about some health hazard from mosquitoes...and sure enough camping near Vicksburg we had swarms of them!

InSandy

.."on a trip with only occasional camping would you have room for a tent and camping gear?"

Well, I have considered that, especially since we may have a small car. But our camping stuff doesn't really take up much room and I travel this way quite a lot so I'll make it work out somehow.

WhereAreWe

I don't know if the citron candles really help or not.

The key is to stay away from wetter areas - so Badlands should be fairly bug free. Even SW Minnesota is pretty dry, mostly prairie instead of woods. Northern Minnesota has far more mosquitoes and black flies than southern Minnesota so you're lucky you are staying in the south.

It also helps to find a relatively open campsite, preferably somewhat elevated if possible so the breeze helps keeps the bugs away.

InSandy

Good things to know WhereAreWe. I'll keep them all in mind. Thank You.