Turkey Run State Park Campground is situated among mature hardwood forests in the west-central region of Indiana near Cecil M. Harden Lake. The campground features over 200 sites arranged in both wooded sections with variable terrain and open grassy areas. Most campsites have 20, 30, and 50-amp electrical service, though sites vary significantly in levelness and shade coverage.
What to do
Hiking challenging trails: Turkey Run State Park offers a network of rugged hiking trails that traverse sandstone ravines and canyons. Trail 3 includes ladder sections and stream crossings. According to one visitor at Turkey Run State Park Campground, "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."
Water recreation: Sugar Creek runs through the area, providing opportunities for paddling and floating. A camper notes, "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." Multiple outfitters near the campgrounds rent equipment for water activities.
Sunrise viewing: The topography around Cecil M. Harden Lake creates excellent conditions for sunrise viewing. One camper shared their experience at Turkey Run Canoe & Camping: "My favorite part about camping is the sunrise and Turkey Run was not disappointing."
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Experienced campers recommend selecting sites on the campground perimeter. "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... try to get a wooded site on the outsides that back up to woods. The majority of those have a decent number of trees separating you from the site next to you."
Clean facilities: The park maintains well-kept shower and restroom buildings. One camper at Mill Creek Park praised the "super clean" facilities, while another at Turkey Run noted, "The bathrooms were super clean and the showers were hot with good water pressure."
Spacious corner sites: Strategic site selection can significantly improve the camping experience. "Booked late for this one but ended up with a great corner spot in the middle of a turn off from the main drive," shared one camper. Another mentioned, "We had site 94, which was right next to the bathhouse. It had almost a whole extra campsite's worth of space next to it for my kids to run around."
What you should know
Limited equestrian camping near Cecil M. Harden Lake: Despite Turkey Run having stables, dedicated equestrian camping facilities are not available at the immediate campgrounds. Horseback riders seeking equestrian camping near Cecil M. Harden Lake must look to facilities in neighboring counties that offer horse corrals and trail access.
Weekend crowds: The popularity of the park means trails and facilities become congested during peak times. "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."
Site levelness varies significantly: Campers frequently mention challenges with uneven terrain at Turkey Run State Park Campground. "The site was very uneven. It definitely sloops to the back corner. It's was difficult to level our camper but we got it in the end. The site was huge but given the unevenness it would be difficult for tents."
Wildlife encounters: "Watch out for the raccoons. Those guys are not afraid of anything," warns one camper. Food storage precautions are essential to prevent unwanted nighttime visitors.
Tips for camping with families
Visit during weekdays: To avoid crowds with children, schedule your visit during non-peak times. "We were super glad we had been canoeing all day instead of fighting crowds at the park," noted one family that visited midweek.
Trail difficulty considerations: While many trails are family-friendly, some sections present challenges for younger children. A visitor observed, "There are lots of inclines and steps, not much of it was extremely easy hiking, but we did see lots of families with kids doing just fine."
Look for extra space: Sites with additional room provide valuable play areas. One parent at Turkey Run Canoe & Camping shared that their site "was tucked away in a more forested area away from RVs" providing more privacy for family activities.
Tips from RVers
Electric service sharing: At some campgrounds near Cecil M. Harden Lake, electrical hookups are shared between sites. "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," notes one RVer.
EV charging available: For those with electric vehicles, some sites can accommodate charging. "All except the 'youth sites' had 110, 30, and 50 amp power. I was able to charge my ev without issue," reported one camper.
Water access planning: Many campgrounds have limited water fill stations. "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."
