Camping opportunities near Cloverdale, Indiana extend beyond established campgrounds into the surrounding state forests and recreation areas within a 30-mile radius. The area sits at the western edge of the Hoosier National Forest region with elevations ranging between 600-850 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-90°F with moderate humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons bring cooler 45-65°F temperatures with occasional rainfall.
What to do
Water activities at Cecil M Harden Lake: Raccoon State Recreation Area offers swimming at a well-maintained beach area with adjacent food service. The lake provides excellent boating options with rentals available. A camper noted, "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."
Biking on designated trails: Lieber State Recreation Area Campground has flat terrain perfect for family biking. One visitor shared, "Very flat and ideal for bike riding," making it suitable for cyclists of all skill levels.
Hiking to waterfalls: Turkey Run State Park Campground offers unique canyon hiking through stream beds. A recent visitor reported, "We hiked Trail 3, which has the ladders, and parts of trail 10, 4, and 2. Trail 10 was nothing special but was relatively flat." Box canyon trails follow active stream beds with moderate difficulty.
Wildlife observation: Forest edges provide deer viewing opportunities, particularly at dawn and dusk. Raccoons are notably abundant in the area. One camper at Turkey Run mentioned, "watch out for the raccoons. Those guys are not afraid of anything."
What campers like
Spacious, shaded sites: Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area receives praise for its site arrangement. A visitor noted, "There is a few pull throughs, no water hook ups at site," and another mentioned "Beautiful, peaceful campsites with a lot of shade!"
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness varies between campgrounds but receives positive mentions. A camper stated about Raccoon Lake, "clean restrooms. No cell service but who needs it!" while another noted about Turkey Run, "The bathrooms were okay. They were older but seemed to be fairly well maintained."
Seasonal activities: Fall camping offers special events, particularly at Lieber State Recreation Area. One regular visitor mentioned, "We love going to this park several times a year. We especially like camping in the fall for their Goblins weekend."
Lake access: Multiple campsites provide direct lake access for fishing. A visitor described Raccoon Lake as "one of the best state park campgrounds I've grown to love with beautiful views, hiking, and boating."
What you should know
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly throughout the area. A camper at Raccoon Lake mentioned, "No cell service but who needs it!" while others have found spotty coverage at best. Bring physical maps as GPS may be unreliable.
Site leveling challenges: Many campsites require equipment for proper leveling. A Turkey Run visitor noted, "We were in a wooded section and it was pretty private however our site was pretty sloped."
Limited hiking at some locations: Happy Campers Campground and other smaller sites have fewer trail options compared to state parks. A visitor at Lieber noted, "Very few hiking trails near campground. With a park and lake of this size I would expect more hiking options."
Weekend crowds: State parks fill quickly during summer weekends. Arrive Thursdays for better site selection and quieter experiences. One camper advised, "In order to avoid crowds on the trails, we got there Thursday night so we could hike Friday morning/early afternoon."
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Several campgrounds offer swimming pool alternatives to lake swimming. A family noted about Lieber, "The pool was excellent! Skip the lake and enjoy the pool."
Structured weekend activities: Hickory Hills Camp Resort provides organized family events. A visitor shared, "Saturday mornings were our favorite where we could get biscuits and gravy, coffee and the kids had craft time."
Multiple recreation options: Look for campgrounds with diverse activities beyond swimming. One visitor to Hickory Hills noted, "There's two pools, a pickle ball court, a basketball half court, farm animals, golf cart trails, kayak/canoe/row boats, exploring creeks, fishing, a dog park, several playgrounds, Gaga ball, tether ball, volleyball, frisbee golf and several weekend activities."
Wooded sites for shade: Request shaded sites when booking, especially for summer camping with children. A Turkey Run visitor advised, "As some other reviews stated, watch out for the raccoons. Those guys are not afraid of anything."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for leveling: Choose carefully as many sites have significant slopes. A Turkey Run camper mentioned, "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."
Electric service variations: Cloverdale RV Park and other local sites offer varied electric options. A visitor stated, "The spots are accessible, the bathrooms are AMAZING (no…seriously), the little attractions are adorable and the host is terrific."
Water quality considerations: Some campgrounds have issues with water quality. A camper at Cloverdale RV Park noted, "Water had a funny smell, however. But, would stay again for sure."
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds offer on-site dumping facilities. Plan accordingly for longer stays. Many visitors recommend using Lieber State Recreation Area's facilities which are accessible even if you're camping elsewhere.
