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Best Campgrounds near Crawfordsville, IN

403 Reviews

Campgrounds near Crawfordsville, Indiana range from state parks with rugged hiking trails to family-friendly RV facilities with modern amenities. 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 areas popular weekend destinations for regional visitors.

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Best Camping Sites Near Crawfordsville, Indiana (62)

    1. Shades State Park Campground

    28 Reviews
    Alamo, IN
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (765) 435-2810

    $12 - $21 / night

    "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."

    2. Turkey Run State Park Campground

    70 Reviews
    Marshall, IN
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (765) 597-2635

    $20 - $32 / night

    "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)."

    3. Crawfordsville KOA

    14 Reviews
    Crawfordsville, IN
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (765) 230-0965

    "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

    11 Reviews
    Crawfordsville, IN
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (765) 362-5528

    $30 - $45 / night

    "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."

    5. Sugar Creek Campground

    7 Reviews
    Crawfordsville, IN
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (765) 362-5528

    "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

    32 Reviews
    Rockville, IN
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (765) 344-1412

    $12 - $42 / night

    "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."

    7. Lake Waveland Park

    8 Reviews
    Waveland, IN
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (765) 435-2073

    $25 - $40 / night

    "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."

    8. Charlarose Campground

    3 Reviews
    Alamo, IN
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (765) 234-7286

    9. Old Mill Run Park

    4 Reviews
    Frankfort, IN
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (765) 436-7190

    10. Prophetstown State Park Campground

    27 Reviews
    Battle Ground, IN
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (765) 567-4919

    $30 - $42 / night

    "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."

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132 Photos of 62 Crawfordsville Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Crawfordsville, IN

403 Reviews of 62 Crawfordsville Campgrounds

Guide to Crawfordsville

Camping near Crawfordsville, Indiana, offers a mix of beautiful nature and family-friendly activities. Whether you're pitching a tent or parking your RV, there are plenty of options to enjoy the great outdoors.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Turkey Run State Park Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "From the back of the campground, you can access Trail 7, a moderate level trail that leads unexpectedly to a small stream running past a recessed cave."
  • Fishing: At Fowler County Park, you can fish in the stocked lake. A visitor shared, "Bring your fishing gear; they stock the lake."
  • Water Activities: Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area is perfect for kayaking and swimming. One camper noted, "The water was breathtaking and very calm even with all of the boat activity."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A review for Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area stated, "Bathhouse clean, plenty of showers, flush toilets."
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Many families enjoy the activities available. One reviewer at Prophetstown State Park Campground said, "This park has it all. Multiple playgrounds for the kids, great hiking/biking trails."
  • Scenic Views: Campers love the beautiful surroundings. A visitor at Lieber State Recreation Area mentioned, "Great sites. Lots of activities for families. The beach was fun."

What you should know:

  • Privacy Concerns: Some campgrounds have sites that are close together. A camper at Turkey Run State Park Campground noted, "Many sites are in an open, level area without a lot of trees or bushes between them. You don’t have a lot of privacy."
  • Wildlife: Be prepared for raccoons at Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area. One camper humorously warned, "They will come right up to you without hesitation, so don’t be alarmed if there’s one next to you while you cook s’mores."
  • Site Conditions: Some sites may have steep inclines. A review for Fowler County Park mentioned, "Site has a pretty severe grade as the site goes back."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Activities for Kids: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and water activities. One family at Prophetstown State Park Campground said, "Great hiking/biking trails, and a resort-like water park in the summer."
  • Plan for Meals: Bring food that’s easy to prepare. A camper at Terre Haute Campground mentioned, "Lots of free activities for kids. Friendly and helpful staff. Clean nice bathrooms."
  • Safety First: Keep an eye on kids near water. A visitor at Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area noted, "The water was breathtaking and very calm even with all of the boat activity."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Conditions: Make sure to choose a site that fits your RV size. A camper at Terre Haute Campground said, "Most sites are gravel. The campground had WIFI that was fast enough to stream."
  • Full Hookups: Look for campgrounds with full hookups for convenience. One reviewer at Indianapolis KOA mentioned, "Primitive is $60 n/, full water/electricity is $80 n/."
  • Plan for Tight Turns: Be cautious of tight turns when parking. A visitor at Terre Haute Campground shared, "When we arrived, we were told that we would not be able to get into that site due to the turns."

Camping near Crawfordsville, Indiana, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the beautiful outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Crawfordsville, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Crawfordsville, IN is Shades State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 28 reviews.

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