Recommendation for a gravel riding vacation for a Chicagoan

[Gsinill]

I am thinking about a one-week+ camping/gravel riding vacation within 6ish hours' driving distance from Chicago by the end of September/early October.
I plan to drive somewhere by car, put up a tent as a base camp, and explore the area by bike.
Good hiking would be nice, too, in case I want to take a break from riding for a day or so.
National or state campgrounds in WI, MN, and MI are apparent choices, but I'm also looking for a backup south of IL if the weather doesn't cooperate.

Any particular recommendations (not just south)?
Has someone done something similar?

[truth]

Originally Posted by Gsinill

I am thinking about a one-week+ camping/gravel riding vacation within 6ish hours' driving distance from Chicago by the end of September/early October.
I plan to drive somewhere by car, put up a tent as a base camp, and explore the area by bike.
Good hiking would be nice, too, in case I want to take a break from riding for a day or so.
National or state campgrounds in WI, MN, and MI are apparent choices, but I'm also looking for a backup south of IL if the weather doesn't cooperate.

Any particular recommendations (not just south)?
Has someone done something similar?

Onekgguy can probably recommend some stuff in Southwestern Minnesota. Lots of state campgrounds around there as well.

[saab2000]

Western Michigan is crisscrossed with very nice wooded gravel roads. I’m hard pressed to make park or camping recommendations because I don’t know those details but I know the riding east and north of Grand Rapids is very good.

[JMT3]

Base camp. Kickapoo State Park. Bring a gravel, road and mountain bike because all can be had there. Some great place around to dine and a cool down drink too. 35 miles away from Champaign/Urbana.

[christian]

I’d get a membership at the West Fork club in Avalanche, WI and stay there. Amazing road and gravel riding in the Driftless.

[charliedid]

^ Great idea from Christian.

If you want to camp you can book Wildcat Mtn. State Park is a solid choice with a bit of hiking as well. As noted road and gravel nearby and can even fit in a section or all of the Elway Sparta Bike Trail.

Could do much much worse.

[Ken Robb]

If you set up a tent and ride off for the day how do you keep your tent and its contents from disappearing while you are away? The area south and west of Madison, WI. should be lovely in early OCT.

[christian]

I actually think the risk of that is pretty low, but if it’s big worry you can strike the tent and stuff it in the car I guess. The West Fork club is a private campground and membership is like $35 / year. I would feel safe leaving my stuff there - most of the members are out fly fishing part of the day and it’s not been a problem.

[charliedid]

Originally Posted by christian

I actually think the risk of that is pretty low, but if it’s big worry you can strike the tent and stuff it in the car I guess. The West Fork club is a private campground and membership is like $35 / year. I would feel safe leaving my stuff there - most of the members are out fly fishing part of the day and it’s not been a problem.

Just looked that place up....I believe I have been past it, looks like a nice spot.

[Gsinill]

Originally Posted by Ken Robb

If you set up a tent and ride off for the day how do you keep your tent and its contents from disappearing while you are away? The area south and west of Madison, WI. should be lovely in early OCT.

Zero concerns, anything important or semi valuable stays in the car while I am gone.

[Ken Robb]

Originally Posted by Gsinill

Zero concerns, anything important or semi valuable stays in the car while I am gone.

Valuables in a locked car aren't very safe on the street in San Diego so that affects my vision of what might happen in a remote camp site.

[thwart]

Originally Posted by Ken Robb

Valuables in a locked car aren't very safe on the street in San Diego so that affects my vision of what might happen in a remote camp site.

Two very different places… urban SD and rural southwestern Wisco.

Always good to be cautious, but also realistic.

… the bike trail mentioned above (complete with multiple tunnels) is Elroy-Sparta.

[charliedid]

Originally Posted by thwart

Two very different places… urban SD and rural southwestern Wisco.

Always good to be cautious, but also realistic.

… the bike trail mentioned above (complete with multiple tunnels) is Elroy-Sparta.

All of this including my typo. Musta been auto correct🤣

Ridden that and portions so many times.

[alexihnen]

I just spent a week riding the gravel roads of NW Michigan. It was great. Farther south: south central Ohio has many options (check Ohio gravel grinders website). Another option is the Bentonville, AR area.