Raccoon Lake State Recreation Area offers several camping loops with varying site conditions and amenities. Some sites feature steep inclines or declines, making leveling challenging for certain RVs or trailers. The campground has pull-through options but lacks water hookups at individual sites. Camping areas can flood during wet seasons, particularly in spring. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F while nights cool considerably, even in July and August. Surrounding forests consist primarily of maple, oak, and hickory trees providing substantial shade for many sites.
What to do
Hike through unique geology: Access hiking trails at Turkey Run State Park Campground with varying difficulty levels. One camper noted, "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. Trail 3 before the ladders, and be prepared to get wet."
Fish in stocked ponds: Catch and release fishing at Sugar Creek Campground provides rewarding angling opportunities. The ponds contain exceptionally large fish as one visitor mentioned: "The pond is stocked with GIANT fish (catch and release only)."
Float down Sugar Creek: Rent tubes, canoes or kayaks for river recreation. Water levels vary seasonally affecting float times. A camper reported, "We had fun tubing in Sugar Creek. It was August so the river was kinda low and we had to stand up and walk a few times."
Play disc golf: Test your skills on the wooded course at Rockville Lake County Park. One visitor described it as "awesome, in the woods, up and down ravine. 18 holes plus practice basket. Hole 1 starts by primitive sites closer to beach."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers consistently praise the well-maintained bathhouses. At Shakamak State Park Campground, one guest mentioned, "The bathrooms/showers are KOA clean. I couldn't even find a spider web. Kudos to the park employees and camp hosts!"
Shaded campsites: Many camping areas feature mature tree canopy providing relief from summer heat. A visitor to Shakamak noted, "The campsites are in a heavily wooded area with fantastic tree canopy for shade and comfort. Sites are mostly level gravel pads."
Multiple lakes: Shakamak State Park features three lakes spanning approximately 400 acres for varied water recreation. As one camper stated, "There's three beautiful lakes there that are good for boating and fishing. There is a large pool too with a nature center that has limited hours."
Limited cell service: Many campers appreciate the disconnection from technology at Raccoon Lake. One visitor noted, "No cell service but who needs it!" while another mentioned enjoying "beautiful views, hiking, and boating."
What you should know
Wildlife encounters: Raccoons frequently visit campsites after dark. Bring secure food storage containers. One camper at Turkey Run advised, "Watch out for the raccoons. Those guys are not afraid of anything."
Water quality concerns: Some campgrounds have issues with water taste or odor. A visitor at Cloverdale RV Park mentioned, "Water had a funny smell, however. But, would stay again for sure."
Site reservation timing: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially during summer weekends and holidays. Book well in advance for premium locations. A Raccoon Lake camper noted there are "allot of sites reserved way in advanced."
Weather preparedness: Rapid weather changes occur frequently in this region. Summer thunderstorms can develop quickly, sometimes causing flash flooding near creek areas. Temperature swings of 30°F between day and night are common in spring and fall.
Tips for camping with families
Beach alternatives: The large aquatic center at Shakamak State Park offers swimming options beyond natural lakes. A visitor described it as "a really nice pool with water slides and diving board. The pool also had a splash area/wading pool for your smaller kiddos."
Kid-friendly hiking strategies: Schedule trail exploration before crowds arrive. As one 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."
Playground locations: Multiple play areas exist throughout many campgrounds. At Morgan-Monroe State Forest, "There is a playground and fire tower right next to the Mason Ridge campground."
Nature activities: Look for scheduled programs at nature centers, particularly during summer weekends. Check individual park bulletin boards for updated calendars. Many parks offer junior ranger or nature exploration programs from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Bring extra leveling blocks for uneven sites. A camper at Rockville Lake noted, "The sites in modern electric water only can be awkward to back into with no room to pull forward due to a ditch in some areas."
Electric hook-up placement: Some sites have inconveniently positioned power boxes. As one Shakamak camper advised, "Bring an extension cord if you're in a pull through. If you want your door facing the fire pit, the electric box is in an awkward place."
Water access: Many campgrounds lack individual site water hookups. Fill tanks before parking. A visitor at Raccoon Lake mentioned there are "no water hook ups at site."
Size limitations: Certain campgrounds cannot accommodate larger RVs. Morgan-Monroe State Forest has very limited options for bigger rigs as one visitor noted: "We are RV campers and there are only about 5 sites we could get in to. Our camper is about 25' and it was tight getting in and out of the campground."
