Turkey Run State Park Campground offers electric sites, wooded areas, and full shade options for outdoor enthusiasts. Terrain varies significantly across the camping area, with many sites featuring uneven ground. Sites near the outer perimeter often provide more privacy with trees separating neighboring campers. Water activities center around Sugar Creek, which cuts through the park and offers floating, fishing, and wildlife viewing opportunities. The park maintains year-round accessibility, though specific amenities may be limited during colder months.
What to do
Hiking unique trails: At Turkey Run State Park Campground, the challenging terrain creates distinctive hiking experiences. According to Samantha S., "We hiked Trail 3 with our dog, but we cut off early before the ladders using Trail 10. Our dog did pretty well in the section of Trail 3 before the ladders, and be prepared to get wet." Some trails follow unusual routes including stream beds and box canyons.
Paddling Sugar Creek: Multiple access points allow for different water experiences. Joel R. at Turkey Run State Park Campground explains, "Sugar Creek runs through the park for fishing and canoeing. The suspension footbridge across Sugar Creek is cool. Sugar Creek is also great for floating with inner tubes, canoes, or kayaks." Canoe rentals are available directly from outfitters near the campgrounds.
Stargazing: The Harry L. Swartz Campground offers exceptional night sky viewing due to its designated Dark Sky Park status. Rachel notes that "since the campground is right next to a Dark Sky Park, stargazing is amazing if you have good weather." During certain seasons, the campground hosts special astronomy events including expert talks during meteor showers.
Disc golf: For alternative recreation, Rockville Lake County Park features a challenging course. According to Smeeta T., "Disc golf course is awesome, in the woods, up and down ravine. 18 holes plus practice basket. Hole 1 starts by primitive sites closer to beach. Ask for a disc golf map at gatehouse."
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Many campers prefer secluded spots available at Harry L. Swartz Campground. According to Rachel, "Some of the sites are very private, others are closer together. 42 - 47 had a lot of vegetation between them and were very private." These natural barriers create more isolated camping experiences away from neighboring sites.
Clean facilities: Bathroom and shower quality receives consistent positive feedback. Samantha S. reports, "The bathrooms were super clean and the showers were hot with good water pressure." Similarly, at Rockville Lake County Park, a visitor noted, "Shower house is older but decent and clean. The showers themselves have a lot of hooks inside to hang your things."
Fishing opportunities: Multiple ponds and lakes provide fishing access across several camping areas. Tim F. notes that Harry L. Swartz features "three lakes to fish for the small and big kids alike." Most fishing areas are easily accessible from campsites, with some campgrounds offering dedicated cleaning stations.
Corner sites: Strategic site selection enhances privacy and space at many glamping locations close to Bismarck, Illinois. Monica C. shares, "Booked late for this one but ended up with a great corner spot in the middle of a turn off from the main drive." Corner locations typically offer additional space and fewer neighboring campsites.
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Many sites require preparation for level setup. At Rockville Lake County Park, Jeremiah G. advises, "The sites range from very uneven to moderately uneven in this section. The full hookup site section is flat but with less tree cover. The sites in modern electric water only can be awkward to back into with no room to pull forward due to a ditch in some areas."
Wildlife encounters: Multiple campgrounds report active wildlife, particularly after dark. Samantha S. warns, "As some other reviews stated, watch out for the raccoons. Those guys are not afraid of anything." Proper food storage and trash disposal are essential throughout the camping area.
Seasonal variations: Campground conditions change significantly across seasons. At Harry L. Swartz, one camper mentioned visiting "in April before they turned the water on (we were prepared for that). The campground was mostly empty and I don't believe the hosts were there for the season yet, but it was very quiet and peaceful."
Cell service inconsistency: Mobile connectivity varies by carrier and location. Monica C. notes, "I have AT&T service and had no problem with cell service, my husband has Verizon and his was spotty." Signal strength tends to be better in elevated areas and deteriorates in ravines and lower-lying camping areas.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access: Several campgrounds offer swimming areas ideal for children. At D & W Lake RV Park, Luna L. found "the lake behind our trailer is beautiful and can be fished Catch and Release with Blue Gill and Bass. There's plenty of grass, Fire Pits, Playgrounds and a Dog Park." These water features provide convenient recreation without leaving the campground.
Playground proximity: Choose sites with clear views of play areas. Carey R. notes at Rockville Lake County Park, "Playground located in middle of loop and accessible/visible from any of sites on loop area." This visibility allows parents to supervise children from their campsites.
Weekend activities: Many campgrounds schedule organized events, particularly during summer months. At Sugar Creek Campground, Amy Y. shared, "The staff was beyond pleasant and helpful. The park is great, they offer disc golf, Gaga, and other fun activities." These structured programs provide entertainment beyond typical outdoor recreation.
Avoiding crowds: Time visits strategically to minimize congestion. Samantha S. suggests, "In order to avoid crowds on the trails, we got there Thursday night so we could hike Friday morning/early afternoon. Saturday we rented a canoe from a canoe place right down the road from the campground."
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Options for complete services vary significantly between campgrounds. At Sugar Creek Campground and Canoe Rental, Adam W. explains, "SCC has about 50 full hook sites and several electric and water. There is quite a few primitive areas as well." Reservation planning is essential as premium sites fill quickly during peak seasons.
Electric charging: Some campgrounds accommodate modern RV needs including EV charging. Leif D. notes about Turkey Run State Park, "All except the 'youth sites' had 110, 30, and 50 amp power. I was able to charge my EV without issue."
Site spacing concerns: Some luxury camping options near Bismarck offer limited separation between RVs. At Turkey Run Canoe & Camping, Scott B. cautions, "The sites are difficult to get into and although they allow one car on the site there is barely room for that one car. The electric is shared with another site which could be a problem if you have the same type of service."
Water access points: Filling freshwater tanks requires planning. Scott B. observes, "There is portable water at the entrance but the road coming and going to the campsite is only wide enough for one rig and you will block traffic while you are filling up." Arriving with full tanks or planning fill-ups during off-peak times minimizes congestion.
