S
Scott B.
Ranger
RangerProphetstown State Park Campground
Beautiful
Water park is super clean. Lots of bike trails and camp sites are all clean and level
Camping near Crawfordsville, IN
68 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Campgrounds near Crawfordsville, Indiana range from state parks with rugged hiking trails to family-friendly RV facilities with electrical hookups and cabin accommodations. Shades State Park and Turkey Run State Park offer tent and RV camping approximately 20 miles south of Crawfordsville in wooded settings with distinctive sandstone canyons. Private options include Crawfordsville KOA and Sugar Creek Campground, both providing cabin accommodations along with traditional camping spaces. The region includes several lake-based campgrounds such as Lake Waveland Park and Cecil M. Harden Lake Recreation Area, extending the variety of camping environments within a 30-minute drive of the city.
Most campgrounds in the Crawfordsville area operate seasonally, with peak availability from April through October. Several state park facilities, including Turkey Run, remain open year-round but with limited winter services. Electrical hookups are standard at most developed sites, while primitive options exist primarily within the state parks. "We arrived to a very quiet campground with few campers. Our site was next to the showerhouse, in the trees and had an attached grass trail out the back," noted one visitor to a nearby recreation area. Cell service varies considerably throughout the region, with reviews indicating limited connectivity in the canyon areas of Shades and Turkey Run State Parks, while campgrounds closer to Crawfordsville maintain reliable coverage.
Campers frequently mention the distinctive terrain as a highlight of the area's camping experience. The sandstone canyons and hiking trails at Turkey Run and Shades State Parks receive consistently high ratings, providing experiences uncommon in Indiana's typically flat landscape. According to one visitor, "Turkey Run is one of my top 2 campgrounds in Indiana... My absolute favorite part though, is the trails. You completely forget you're in Indiana." Campground reviews indicate varying levels of privacy between sites, with state parks generally offering more seclusion than private campgrounds. Most developed campgrounds near Crawfordsville provide standard amenities including showers, flush toilets, and potable water, though some primitive areas rely on vault toilets. Families particularly appreciate the bicycle-friendly campground roads at several locations, making these camping spots ideal for weekend getaways with convenient access to Crawfordsville's local attractions. Whether you're looking for tent camping or RV sites, Crawfordsville's surrounding campgrounds offer diverse options for outdoor recreation throughout the camping season.
Best Campgrounds near Crawfordsville (68)
1. Shades State Park Campground
"Canopied by the big beautiful Indiana trees. Close to some good hiking trails."
"Located north of turkey run state park shades offers all the hiking and scenic terrain with less amenities and less crowds. Sugar creek cuts through the ancient sandstone floor creating canyon walls."
from $14 - $25 / night
Check Availability2. Turkey Run State Park Campground
"Turkey Run is arguably the most popular campground (and state park) in Indiana and has its pros and cons."
"Much enjoyed hiking some of the trails at Turkey Run State Park near Marshall, Indiana. This is Indiana's 2nd oldest state park, now 100 years old (1916-2016)."
from $20 - $52 / night
Check Availability3. Crawfordsville KOA
"Really cute little park with lots of shade and convenient access to Crawfordsville. We were here for a quick stopover, but made friends with several locals spending time here."
"We arrived at 2am, but they had us all situated for late checkin. The campground itself was very lovely and quiet."
4. Sugar Creek Campground and Canoe Rental LLC
"There are few trails looping around for the walks. Most of tent sites got shade. Rv sites all seem to be level, although kind of close together. Nice and clean bathrooms and shower facility."
"The campsite it very spacious and there’s a decent amount of distance between each site. Sites by the river are especially nice."
from $30 - $45 / night
Check Availability5. Sugar Creek Campground
"It's a nice place to walk around, though we were wandering past empty tent spots so in the busy season it might be less free-form on where you can roam."
"Very clean and well kept, smaller but with direct access to an awesome creek. Kids played in the creek all day long. Cheap and plentiful firewood. Really friendly and family owned"
6. Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area
"Raccoon State Recreation Area | Cecil M Harden Lake is located in the heart of historic covered bridge country just 50 miles West of Indianapolis."
"There are multiple boat ramps for easy access to the water. I met a friend there who is a resident of Indianapolis and we had a great time on the water."
from $14 - $62 / night
Check Availability7. Lake Waveland Park
"Nice clean park in west-central Indiana that has a lake and a large number of camping sites along with restrooms and showers."
"The campground is located within close proximity of both Turkey Run and Shades State Park."
from $25 - $40 / night
Check Availability8. Charlarose Campground
9. Old Mill Run Park
10. Prophetstown State Park Campground
"Well kept and clean area in the plains of Indiana. Great amnesties for the area such as a new, large public pool and a few hiking and biking trails."
"Not too far out of the way, this is Indiana's newest state park, if I'm not mistaken, and it shows. The lower loop is all full hookups with 50, 30, and 20 amp service and respectably woody."
from $50 - $62 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 36 min from Lafayette, IN
- 49 min from Indianapolis, IN
- 1 hr 6 min from Terre Haute, IN
- 1 hr 17 min from Kokomo, IN
Recent Camping Photos near Crawfordsville, IN
134 Photos of 68 Crawfordsville Campgrounds
Amy Y.
Sugar Creek Campground and Canoe Rental LLC
Hannah S.
Crawfordsville KOA
Shane H.
Sugar Creek Campground
Jennifer A.
Shades State Park Campground
Douglas W.
Charlarose Campground
Mike V.
Lake Waveland Park
The School for Y.
Broadview Lake and Campground
Michelle M.
Turkey Run State Park Campground
Rowan G.
Turkey Run Canoe & Camping
Stacey S.
Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area
Alan F.
Peaceful Waters Campground
Aaron H.
Rockville Lake County Park
Recent Reviews near Crawfordsville, IN
424 Reviews of 68 Crawfordsville Campgrounds
TownCountry C.
ScoutTurkey Buzzard RV Park
Affordable Full-Hookup RV Sites in Danville, IL
Turkey Buzzard RV Park is a quiet, clean, and affordable long-term RV campground in Danville, Illinois. The park offers spacious full-hookup RV sites with water, sewer, and electric, along with convenient month-to-month rentals. Guests appreciate the peaceful atmosphere, easy access to shopping, restaurants, healthcare, and major highways, making it an excellent choice for travel workers, full-time RVers, retirees, and extended stays. If you're looking for a safe, well-maintained RV park in Danville, IL with affordable monthly rates and a welcoming community, Turkey Buzzard RV Park is a great place to call home.
Moishe F.
GuideWhite River Campground
Amazing campground
We made last minute reservations, for tent camping, the staff was so nice. She even brought fire wood to us after they closed the store. They have all amenities. The shower were nice and clean (the water was a bit smelly). The sight comes with outlets and water faucets. There’s a lake right near the sight that u can go into, but that causes a lot of flies to come.
- ccarol
TravelerLake Waveland Park
Very disappointing
Arrived Saturday before the Fourth of July entire campground was overgrown trash in our site. I picked up at least 15 beer bottle lids from previous camper. No host to be found. Apparently she drives through but doesn’t stay here we were told there was 30 and 50 amp service. It was first come first serve. We were hoping that the next-door camper would leave on the 28th as his card on the mirror said he had to be out by the 28th but he’s still here and it’s the 30th there is no 50 amp anywhere. We looked in several empty campsites and could not find 50 amp anywhere. We were told later that there is no 50 A on this campground. Bathrooms are disgusting. They have a trough for the water to drain out. One shower is out of order the other one the door is hanging by one hinge honestly, I wouldn’t even go to the bathroom in bath houses. Definitely the worst shower house we’ve ever seen in camping all our years. Heavily wooden camp sites with many dead trees still standing the potential for this campground is high. It’s too bad the owners don’t see this. Anybody can drive in at any time we saw two different campers come in spend the night and leave the next day before the checkout building opened. They did not have placed cards on their mirrors so we feel like they were probably squatting. Since the lake, the beach and the public campground is open and not patrolled, there is a lot of Co19mings and goings.
Kelly S.GuideProphetstown State Park Campground
Top notch
A wonderful campground for families. Spacious lots with privacy, a large bathhouse, plenty of space for riding bikes and walking. And a well-designed dump station made the adults happy!
Kevin M.TravelerBachelor Runn Campground
Jacob the owner is awesomr
It was great quiet and the owners and maintenance.were great everyone friendly and no problems very peaceful would very much recommend it .
- CCorey M.Traveler
Turkey Run State Park Campground
Beautiful park, loved it
Great little campground, decently spaced spots and lots of thoughtful people in a great area. Would def come back if I go through Indiana again. The lady who works in the shack quickly changed my site to one that fits my rv after pulling in and seeing it was way too small. Thanks again ma’am!
troy K.ScoutSugar Creek Campground and Canoe Rental LLC
It was good for a while
Had a great annual relationship with this campground. When we first started going they did not have their canoes and kayaks service. We had our our own so no big deal. They let us put in and take out. Then they started their livery service. They were hesitant about letting us use they put in and take out spot but since we would help with some of the chores around the campground we built a good relationship with the owners. They once said "you are the only ones we allow to do this" thought that we were sort of grandfathered in at that point. 20 years later....they must have forgotten their words and we were told since we took out our canoes at there site we were not allowed to come back ever again. You word goes a long way in my book and it evidently got forgotten or they just got mean.
- TTJ F.Scout
Kickapoo State Recreation Area
Nice campground, reasonable rates
We checked in on a Sunday and there were plenty of available sites. I believe they are first come first served this time of year(April). It’s a pretty campground with good spacing between sites. Our site was level. Backed in and checked level and it was perfect front to back, side to side, on first try. We didn’t disconnect just set the stabilizers down, as we were there for just the one night. Shower house was open and reasonably clean. The check-in office was closed and no host on site. There were envelopes at the check-in station to pay when you leave if there was no host or attendant to collect. So we picked our site and setup. Very easy and just$20, no ridiculous add-on fees like entrance fees, unlike some states that I won’t mention(Indiana, Nebraska)….
Guide to Crawfordsville
Camping near Crawfordsville, Indiana offers diverse terrain with elevations ranging from 700 to 900 feet above sea level in the rolling hills of west-central Indiana. Raccoons are frequently mentioned in campground reviews throughout the area, requiring careful food storage practices at most sites. The camping season typically extends from April through October, with limited winter facilities available at select locations.
What to do
Paddle Sugar Creek: Sugar Creek Campground provides direct water access with kayak and canoe rentals. "We rented a canoe from a canoe place right down the road from the campground. It was great and once we saw the crowds at the beach area of the park on Saturday afternoon, we were super glad we had been canoeing all day instead of fighting crowds at the park," shares one Turkey Run State Park visitor.
Hike rugged trails: The area features challenging terrain uncommon in Indiana. "This is a hikers park & it has some of the most rugged trails in Indiana. The Pine Hills Nature Preserve is maintained by the park. The Devils Backbone is a popular trail, but definitely on the rugged side," notes a visitor to Shades State Park.
Fish in stocked ponds: Multiple campgrounds maintain fishing areas. "The pond is stocked with GIANT fish (catch and release only) and definitely go for a hike over at Turkey Run," reports a camper at Sugar Creek Campground. Lake-based options also exist at several locations around Crawfordsville.
What campers like
Wooded sites for privacy: Campgrounds with forest cover provide seclusion. "Nice quiet campground with spacious sites. Canopied by the big beautiful Indiana trees. Close to some good hiking trails," notes a Shades State Park visitor about the camping environment.
Clean facilities: Maintained bathhouses receive consistent praise across campgrounds. "The bathrooms were super clean and the showers were hot with good water pressure," reports a camper at Turkey Run State Park Campground.
Variety of accommodations: Options range from primitive tent sites to full-service cabins. "We stayed in site 41 which is a double site. I'd highly recommend this site. It backs up to Sugar Creek which is just gorgeous in the spring. We saw all kinds of birds, turtles, frogs and even a couple snakes," shares a visitor to Sugar Creek Campground.
What you should know
Uneven terrain at some sites: Campsite topography varies considerably. "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," explains a Turkey Run camper about site #35.
Weekend crowds: Popular parks fill quickly during peak season. "I would advise to camp during the week for a less crowded time," suggests a Sugar Creek Campground visitor, while another notes: "We arrived on Thursday on April 29th and the place was empty."
Wildlife encounters: Prepare for animal visitors, particularly after dark. "Watch out for the raccoons. Those guys are not afraid of anything," warns a Turkey Run State Park camper, a common theme across multiple campground reviews in the region.
Tips for camping with families
Look for playground access: Several campgrounds feature recreational areas for children. "My boys enjoyed the playground and my wife enjoyed the modern showers. Shades State Park is a great place to unplug and reconnect," mentions a visitor to Shades State Park Campground.
Consider weekday visits: Families report quieter experiences outside peak times. "We love the family friendly atmosphere, and all of the extras they offer for the kids! There is a great pond for fishing, and there are lots of fish to catch!" reports a Sugar Creek visitor.
Select sites strategically: Location within campgrounds affects noise and convenience. "We were in 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. It also had a tree for shade and was nice and level," notes a Turkey Run camper.
Tips from RVers
Check site levelness: Many RV sites require adjustment. "Sites have chip gravel, clean sites, clean comfort stations. Some sites are full hookup," notes a camper at Prophetstown State Park, while others mention challenges with uneven terrain at various campgrounds.
Verify hookup locations: Utility placement varies between sites. "My site was easy to level, beautiful wooded campground convenient to interstate," reports a camper at Crawfordsville KOA, though another visitor notes: "sewer hookup was all the way at the end of the site, needed extra extension to hook up sewer."
Consider rig size limitations: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger vehicles. "This wouldn't be a campground I would choose if I had a big rig," advises a Shades State Park visitor about the limitations of certain camping areas, particularly in the more primitive sections of state parks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds near Crawfordsville, Indiana?
What are the best campgrounds near Crawfordsville, Indiana?
The Crawfordsville area offers several excellent camping options. Shades State Park Campground provides spacious, quiet sites under a beautiful tree canopy with access to hiking trails. Another top choice is Turkey Run State Park Campground, Indiana's second oldest state park, featuring RV and tent sites with water/electric hookups and modern bathrooms with showers. Both parks offer stunning natural landscapes with sandstone canyons and trails. Other notable options include Lieber State Recreation Area near Cloverdale and White River Campground, which offers riverside sites with free WiFi and hot showers.
Are there campgrounds with cabins available near Crawfordsville?
Are there campgrounds with cabins available near Crawfordsville?
Yes, several campgrounds near Crawfordsville offer cabin accommodations. Lieber State Recreation Area Campground located west of Indianapolis near Cloverdale provides cabin options alongside traditional camping sites. The recreation area borders Cagles Mill Lake, offering water activities in addition to comfortable lodging. Thousand Trails Horseshoe Lakes is another option with cabin rentals, situated in a large park with various amenities. While primarily known as an RV park, it offers alternative accommodations for those not interested in tent camping. Always call ahead to check cabin availability and make reservations, especially during peak summer seasons.
Where is Sugar Creek Campground located in Crawfordsville, Indiana?
Where is Sugar Creek Campground located in Crawfordsville, Indiana?
Sugar Creek Campground is located in the Crawfordsville area of Indiana. This drive-in campground offers amenities including water access and toilet facilities. It's situated along Sugar Creek, which is a popular waterway that runs through the region, including through nearby Shades State Park where the creek cuts through ancient sandstone creating scenic canyon walls. The campground is accessible by vehicle and provides reservable sites that can accommodate larger RVs. For those interested in water activities, Sugar Creek is known for canoeing opportunities, and the campground's location makes it a convenient base for exploring the natural attractions of west-central Indiana.
Is there a KOA campground in Crawfordsville, Indiana?
Is there a KOA campground in Crawfordsville, Indiana?
Yes, there is a Crawfordsville KOA in Crawfordsville, Indiana. This private campground offers a shaded setting with convenient access to the town. The KOA features basic amenities including a swimming pool and playground. It's described as a cute park that serves as both a quick stopover location for travelers and a short vacation spot for locals. The campground appears to have a mix of short-term visitors and long-term residents. With its proximity to Crawfordsville and its family-friendly facilities, the Crawfordsville KOA provides a comfortable camping experience for those visiting the area.
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