Camping road trip

I should add that I haven't gone this far North in Minnesota (as the first poster suggests). It may be the same experience - but what surprised me was the ruggedness of the terrain - it didn't feel like the Midwest and yet was still close.

Rocky Mountain National park and the adjacent national forest lands could also be a possibility. Not a bad drive if you plan to camp at smaller state parks or forest lands along the way.

#9, the North Shore is in the U.S. -- at least what we call the North Shore (Duluth up to the Canadian border). You're right, it doesn't feel like the Midwest... feels a lot more like Maine, with waves crashing against tall cliffs, pebble beaches, dense forests further inland. I've been many, many times and never run out of things to see and do.

i had avoided yellowstone assuming it would always be too crowded-went last sept and found it to be phenomenal --also went to the tetons.it will be a bit chilly at night but days were great for hiking.

Yes - a similiar feel. But - as a Michiganer - to me the north shore of Lake Superior is Canada. Also full of the cliffs, crashing waves, etc. I"ve never made it all the way around the lake - so haven't seen the Minnesota shore (I've seen the north shore to Thunder Bay). The state (and one national) parks there are wonderful and I love the area. What I was trying to say is that the Minnesota experience may be the same - but my experience (which has been wonderful) is in Canada.