Turkey Run State Park Campground features over 200 electric sites set in mature woods near Bloomingdale, Indiana. The park sits within the unique sandstone gorges and ravines characteristic of west-central Indiana, with Sugar Creek flowing through the park at approximately 560 feet above sea level. Campgrounds in the area typically experience warm summers with high humidity and mild to cold winters with occasional snow.
What to do
Hiking diverse terrain: Turkey Run State Park Campground offers unique hiking experiences including box canyons and stream beds. As leif D. notes, "There are multiple trails and some quite challenging ones... On one trail part of it went through box canyons up an active, though trickling, stream bed."
Canoe or kayak: Watercraft activities provide a different way to explore the area. One camper at Turkey Run Canoe & Camping mentioned, "Did a nice kayaking loop using their service. Had everything you needed, very chill experience."
Fishing: Multiple lakes and waterways offer fishing opportunities throughout the season. At Raccoon Cecil M Harden Lake, a reviewer commented, "There is a nice pond in the center of the property that has good size fish! The pond seems to be well maintained and clean!"
What campers like
Corner sites: Strategic site selection can improve your camping experience. A camper at Turkey Run State Park Campground shared, "Booked late for this one but ended up with a great corner spot in the middle of a turn off from the main drive."
Primitive camping options: For those seeking a more rustic experience, Shades State Park Campground offers non-electric sites. One camper noted, "Nice quiet campground with spacious sites. Canopied by the big beautiful Indiana trees. Close to some good hiking trails."
Clean facilities: Maintained bath houses and showers are important to many campers. A visitor to Turkey Run State Park mentioned, "The bathrooms were super clean and the showers were hot with good water pressure."
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Many sites in the area require attention to leveling. At Turkey Run State Park, one camper reported, "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."
Wildlife awareness: Local wildlife may be comfortable around humans. A camper warned, "As some other reviews stated, watch out for the raccoons. Those guys are not afraid of anything."
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly by location and carrier. At Raccoon Lake, one visitor mentioned, "No cell service but who needs it!" contradicting experiences at other campgrounds.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: For family camping near Bloomingdale, Indiana, consider sites with dedicated recreation facilities. At Terre Haute Campground, a visitor observed, "Lots of kids and activities. It looks like some folks have settled in for the long haul with flower gardens and lawn furniture."
Swimming options: Water recreation provides relief during hot summer days. One camper at Raccoon Cecil M Harden Lake shared, "I loved this camp ground, there was a beach which was nice and a building to get food. They have a basketball court, and a few trails."
Timing for popular trails: Pet friendly camping near Bloomingdale means planning ahead for busy trails. A Turkey Run visitor suggested, "In order to avoid crowds on the trails, we got there Thursday night so we could hike Friday morning / early afternoon."
Tips from RVers
Water hookup availability: RVers should note that water connections vary between campgrounds. At Turkey Run State Park, a camper noted, "No water hookups at the site but all except the 'youth sites' had 110, 30, and 50 amp power. I was able to charge my ev without issue."
Site selection for privacy: For those seeking more secluded camping options near Bloomingdale, choose sites strategically. At Peaceful Waters Campground, a reviewer advised, "If you can get a site in the back, they look really great. We had a site in the front which is right next to the highway so it was a little loud and we had no shade."
Utility placement: Be prepared for shared utilities at some campgrounds. One camper at Turkey Run Canoe & Camping observed, "The electric is shared with another site which could be a problem if you have the same type of service since there is only one 50 amp, one 30 amp, and one 20 amp service per hook up."
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