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Camping guide

Where can you camp beside your airplane in the Midwest?

Researched by Taxi to Table · Guide checked

In Sean Cummings’ photograph from Oshkosh in 2026, two camp chairs face each other under the Cessna’s wing. There’s a little table between them and an orange tent just beyond. You can picture where you’d have your morning coffee. Where would you like to spend the evening before it? At Havana you can cook supper in the airport kitchen. At Cornucopia you can leave the tent pitched while you ride down to Lake Superior. At Oshkosh during AirVenture, the next campsite may belong to a pilot you’ve been hoping to meet.

Sean’s airplane and campsite at Oshkosh in 2026
Sean Cummings’ campsite at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, 2026. Photo shared by Sean Cummings.

A supper you can cook in Illinois

For a first overnight with someone who likes their creature comforts, try Havana Regional. Bring something you both like to cook. There’s a full kitchen, a propane grill and a pavilion with picnic tables, so you can choose where to eat when you get there. The port district supplies firewood for its fire pit and lists planeside camping without a fee. Ask the manager about kitchen access and current fire rules for your dates. If supper requires a grocery run, ask whether the airport’s seven-passenger crew van is available.

From a grass strip to the harbor

At Cornucopia the bicycles have a history. Volunteers helped finish the pilot shelter, set out picnic tables and put donated bikes in their own shed. If two bikes are available, you can leave the tent pitched and ride together into the village. Make the marina your destination. The town’s Green Shed Museum occupies an old fishing shed there, and a public sand beach lies beside the harbor. Check museum hours and bring something to eat for the ride back. The harbor shops and galleries keep a summer season.

Two places to lay your head at Hanley Field

At Hanley Field near Munising, you can keep your tent close to the airplane and your groceries in the pilot lounge refrigerator. If you would rather wake up away from the airport building, carry your gear to Pilot Park. Alger County maintains a picnic table and fire ring there. The shower and microwave are back at the lounge, behind a coded door. Get the code before setting out, and have your own tie-down ropes in the airplane. The ramp provides the anchors.

When friends are coming by road

Empire works for a mixed group if you sort out who sleeps where. The airport tie-down camping area welcomes pilots and passengers who fly in. Friends arriving by car can look into a site in the wooded township campground next door. That’s also where pilots walk for a shower. The village of Empire is about five miles away, so a friend with a car makes a dinner in town easier. At Green Lake near Interlochen the township specifically extends tie-down camping to aircraft owners. If you’re bringing a rental or club aircraft, talk to the manager before counting on a spot.

A tent in the crowd at Oshkosh

Sean’s Oshkosh campsite belonged to a particular week on the aviation calendar. During AirVenture, EAA assigns aircraft campsites as airplanes arrive, and the minimum camping charge covers three days. Pack for the first night with the knowledge that shower houses and banks of portable toilets open as the grounds fill. A sign at a closed facility points you to the nearest one in service. Before choosing an arrival day, check the camping dates and aircraft parking updates for that year’s convention.

Compare the stops

9I0

Havana Regional airplane camping

Havana, Illinois (9I0). The port district welcomes aircraft campers and lists tie-downs, showers and a full kitchen. Call the airport manager at 309-543-9006 to arrange the stay. Ask where to pitch and how to get into the building after hours.

Location
On-airport camping
Season
Confirm seasonal availability and any event restrictions.
Facilities
Published facilities include showers, a kitchen, picnic pavilion, grill and fire pit.
Access
Camp with your airplane; confirm the exact parking and tent location with the airport.
Phone
309-543-9006
Website checked Nov 3, 2026Open stop plan →
23W

Cornucopia underwing camping

Cornucopia, Wisconsin (23W). The public grass field has a pilot shelter and a designated under-wing tent area. Ask about field conditions, drinking water and how many loaner bicycles are available on your dates.

Location
On-airport camping
Season
Opening and closing dates are not published in the consulted sources; do not assume all-season availability.
Facilities
RAF documents a pilot shelter, picnic tables and donated bicycles; current availability should be confirmed.
Access
Airport camping permission is documented by RAF, an airfield improvement partner. Confirm current field conditions and camping arrangements before travel.
Website checked Nov 3, 2026Open stop plan →
5Y7

Hanley Field Pilot Park Camping

Munising, Michigan (5Y7). Call 906-202-0818 for lounge access and current field availability. If you’re thinking of driving into town, the county offers its courtesy car in arrival order. Pick up the keys in the lounge and bring it back with a full tank.

Location
On-airport camping
Season
Season is not stated; confirm availability and field conditions before arrival.
Facilities
Pilot lounge includes shower, restroom, microwave and refrigerator. Call for the door code.
Access
County policy permits aircraft-arriving pilots and passengers to camp under-wing or in Pilot Park. General-public vehicle camping is excluded.
Phone
906-202-0818
Website checked Nov 3, 2026Open stop plan →
Y87

William B. Bolton Airport pilot camping

Empire, Michigan (Y87). Arriving pilots and passengers may camp beside their airplane. The neighboring campground publishes a May 15 to September 15 season. Confirm tie-down permission and which facilities are open if your trip falls outside that window.

Location
On-airport camping
Season
The adjacent campground publishes May 15–September 15. Confirm tiedown camping and facility access separately outside those dates.
Facilities
Confirm campground opening and shower availability before your visit.
Access
Use the aircraft tiedown area for pilot and passenger tents. The airport currently lists the courtesy vehicle as temporarily unavailable.
Phone
231-326-5194
Website checked Nov 4, 2026Open stop plan →
Y88

Green Lake Airport Camping

Interlochen, Michigan (Y88). Aircraft owners may pitch in the designated tie-downs. Portable toilets are in the adjacent public park. Get the pilot building’s code before arrival and make parking arrangements for a stay longer than a few days. Interlochen State Park, about a mile north, offers another campground option.

Location
On-airport camping
Season
Camping season is not published. Confirm current ground conditions and availability before planning an overnight stay.
Facilities
Portable restrooms are in the adjacent public park. Ask the manager for current visitor-building access instructions.
Access
Aircraft owners may camp in the designated tie-down area. Arrange parking of more than a few days with the manager.
Phone
231-409-7149
Website checked Nov 3, 2026Open stop plan →
KOSH

AirVenture aircraft camping

Oshkosh, Wisconsin (KOSH). This is an AirVenture camping option. EAA requires membership for aircraft camping and allocates sites without preregistration. For a showplane camping area, your aircraft must qualify in one of EAA’s judging categories.

Location
On-airport camping
Season
AirVenture event only; year-round availability not established
Access
Aircraft camping areas at AirVenture. EAA membership required per EAA’s published guidance. Confirm eligibility, availability, fees and current rules directly.
FBO
Basler Flight Service · 920-236-7827
Website checked Oct 31, 2026Open stop plan →

First-time airplane camping checklist →

Sources

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