Cabins near Bloomingdale, Indiana sit within Parke County's rolling terrain, with elevations ranging from 500-700 feet. The area experiences four distinct seasons with summer highs averaging in the mid-80s and winter lows frequently below freezing. Most cabin rental locations remain accessible year-round, though some forest retreat cabins close during winter months due to unpaved access roads.
What to do
Creek exploration: Sugar Creek offers excellent fishing and paddling opportunities. At Sugar Creek Campground, visitors can rent kayaks, canoes, and tubes for river excursions ranging from 2-8 miles. "We rented a canoe from a canoe place right down the road from the campground. It was great and once we saw the crowds at the beach area of the park on Saturday afternoon, we were super glad we had been canoeing all day instead of fighting crowds at the park," notes one Turkey Run visitor.
Trail hiking: Box canyon terrain creates unique hiking challenges at Turkey Run. "On one trail part of it went through box canyons up an active, though trickling, stream bed," reports a camper who stayed at Turkey Run State Park Campground. For families with pets, some trails accommodate dogs but require planning: "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."
Fishing: Multiple stocked ponds provide year-round angling options. "The pond is stocked with GIANT fish (catch and release only)," mentions a visitor to Sugar Creek Campground and Canoe Rental. Many cabins position guests near fishing spots, with some properties offering equipment rental for an additional fee.
What campers like
Secluded cabin sites: Forest cabins offer varied privacy levels depending on location. "We stayed in the hideaway loop and it was perfect. Lots of wildlife, so pack your food up right," reports a visitor to Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area. For more isolation, the back areas of some campgrounds provide maximum separation: "Our primitive tent site was in the very back isolated from the rest of the grounds."
Clean facilities: Many visitors highlight consistent maintenance standards at most properties. "The bathrooms were super clean and the showers were hot with good water pressure," notes a Turkey Run camper. At Rockville Lake, "Newer restroom/showerhouse well kept" stands out as a particularly appreciated feature for cabin-staying guests who share common bathing facilities.
Varied terrain options: The area offers both wooded and open spaces depending on preferences. "Also, the open, grassy area sites don't offer any privacy. If that's what you're looking for, try to get a wooded site on the outsides that back up to woods," advises a Turkey Run visitor. Sites vary significantly by elevation and terrain, with one camper at Rockville Lake County Park noting "Nice graveled camp sites. Very quiet as well."
What you should know
Site selection matters: Many campgrounds feature dramatically different site types. "We were in a wooded section and it was pretty private however our site was pretty sloped. Next time I would probably pick the site on either side of 167," advises a Turkey Run camper. At Peaceful Waters Campground, "Sites #P1 and #P10 were very nice and cozy!"
Wildlife awareness: Raccoons appear frequently around cabins. "Watch out for the raccoons. Those guys are not afraid of anything," warns a Turkey Run visitor. At Cecil M Harden Lake, another camper notes: "Lots of wildlife, so pack your food up right."
Seasonal water levels: Creek activities depend on recent rainfall. "It was August so the river was kinda low and we had to stand up and walk a few times," reports a Sugar Creek Campground and Canoe Rental visitor. Spring visits typically offer more consistent water flow for paddling activities.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Select sites near play areas for convenience. At Rockville Lake, "Playground located in middle of loop and accessible/visible from any of sites on loop area." Multiple campgrounds feature family-oriented facilities: "There is a great pond for fishing, and there are lots of fish to catch!"
Activity planning: Schedule popular activities strategically. "In order to avoid crowds on the trails, we got there Thursday night so we could hike Friday morning / early afternoon," suggests a Turkey Run visitor. At Crawfordsville KOA, "They have a very nice pool and a place to let your dog run!"
Cabin selection: Family cabins vary significantly in size and amenities. "The cabin we stayed in had so much privacy and was adorable!" reports a Crawfordsville KOA visitor. For larger groups, double sites may be worth the extra cost: "We booked site 41 which is a double site. I'd highly recommend this site."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Many sites require careful setup. "Some of the sites have a huge inclines or declines," notes a Cecil M Harden Lake camper. At Turkey Run, "Sites tried from all concrete to a dusty dirt and rock tent area, and all had old wood picnic tables."
Utility placement: Check hookup locations before committing. "Sewer hookup was all the way at the end of the site, needed extra extension to hook up sewer," reports a Crawfordsville KOA visitor. At Sugar Creek Campground, utilities may be shared: "The electric is shared with another site which could be a problem if you have the same type of service."
Site size variations: Double-check measurements for larger units. "There are multiple pull throughs" at Cecil M Harden Lake, but at Sugar Creek Campground and Canoe Rental, sites can be "tight spots for a long rig." Most cabin areas accommodate standard vehicles but may have limited parking for additional cars or equipment.
