Cecil M. Harden Lake sits at 690 feet above sea level, spanning 2,060 acres in west-central Indiana with numerous coves and inlets. Summer water temperatures typically range from 70-80°F, while winters can drop to freezing levels. The surrounding area offers both primitive and developed camping options with varying levels of shade and terrain.
What to do
Hiking trails: Turkey Run State Park Campground offers rugged terrain with unique geological features. "Trail 3 is nothing special but was relatively flat. It was pretty crowded but people were respectful," notes one camper about the park's trail system.
Fishing spots: Peaceful Waters Campground has a stocked pond where anglers can try their luck. "There's a nice pond in the center of the campground where they have paddle boats and canoes; also saw people fishing," shares one visitor who appreciated the fishing opportunities.
Water recreation: Cecil M. Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area provides beach access for swimming. "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," reports a camper who enjoyed the lakeside amenities.
Disc golf: Rockville Lake County Park features an 18-hole course through wooded terrain. "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," explains a visitor who played the course.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Shades State Park Campground offers natural separation between campsites. "Nice quiet campground with spacious sites. Canopied by the big beautiful Indiana trees. Close to some good hiking trails," notes one visitor about the park's layout.
Clean facilities: Rockville Lake County Park maintains well-kept shower houses and restrooms. "The cleanest campground we have been to in our neighborhood," comments one visitor who appreciated the park's maintenance standards.
Family-friendly activities: Turkey Run State Park Campground provides outdoor recreation beyond hiking. "Sugar Creek is also great for floating with inner tubes, canoes, or kayaks. There is a stable and a campground store," explains a camper who enjoyed the diverse options.
Spacious sites: Cecil M. Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area offers room to spread out. "This place is so beautiful! We stayed in the hideaway loop and it was perfect. Lots of wildlife, so pack your food up right," shares a visitor who enjoyed their campsite.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies greatly throughout the camping areas. "No cell service but who needs it!" mentions one visitor to Cecil M. Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area.
Wildlife encounters: Shades State Park Campground has active wildlife. "This is a primitive state park near Turkey Run State Park In Midwestern Indiana. First named The Shades Of Death State Park," explains a visitor, highlighting the park's natural setting.
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds in the area have limited winter services. "The majority of sites looked very nice. There were mostly tents with a few popups. This wouldn't be a campground I would choose if I had a big rig," notes a Shades State Park visitor.
Booking early: Popular sites fill quickly, especially during summer and fall. "Allot of sites reserved way in advanced. There is a few pull throughs, no water hook ups at site," reports a camper at Cecil M. Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Peaceful Waters Campground offers play areas near campsites. "The kids loved the playground and all the activities. Will definitely be staying here again!" shares a visitor with children.
Swimming options: Raccoon State Recreation Area has a dedicated beach area. "Fun filled!! 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," reports a family who enjoyed the water access.
Trail difficulty: Consider hiking abilities when selecting trails. "The hiking trails were pretty, not very rugged. Scenery was nice on the trails," notes a family who visited Cecil M. Harden Lake.
Evening activities: Some campgrounds offer organized events. "The Saturday night we were there they had karaoke at the stage by the camp store. Not sure if they regularly have stuff like that," mentions a visitor to Peaceful Waters Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Prepare for uneven terrain at many rv campgrounds near Cecil M. Harden Lake. "The sites range from very uneven to moderately uneven in this section. The full hookup site section is flat but with less tree cover," reports an RVer at Rockville Lake County Park.
Hookup availability: Cloverdale RV Park offers year-round access with full connections. "This easy-access-from-the-highway RV park is really nice. The spots are accessible, the bathrooms are AMAZING (no…seriously), the little attractions are adorable and the host is terrific," shares an RV traveler.
Site selection: For larger rigs, research site dimensions before booking. "Good sized pull through style camp sites that are gravel and surprisingly pretty level! Very reasonable rates for a full hookup site," mentions an RVer at Peaceful Waters Campground.
Arrival timing: Plan to arrive during daylight hours for easier setup. "We were in a very quiet, off the main road, in a circle, in full shade. It is very close to the restroom but a distance from the camp store and dumpster," notes a camper at Turkey Run State Park.
