Turkey Run State Park Campground near Crawfordsville, Indiana offers diverse camping options among mature hardwood forests. This central Indiana destination spans over 2,000 acres with sandstone gorges carved by glacial meltwater. Located about 30 miles northeast of Terre Haute, the area provides electric-only campsites for both tent and RV campers, with relatively limited options for those seeking equestrian camping facilities.
What to do
Hiking exploration: Trail 3 at Turkey Run State Park Campground features challenging ladder sections and creek beds. "We hiked Trail 3 with our dog, but we cut off early before the ladders using Trail 10. Our dog did pretty well in the section of Trail 3 before the ladders, and be prepared to get wet," notes Samantha S.
Water recreation: Sugar Creek provides multiple options for outdoor water activities during warmer months. "Sugar Creek is also great for floating with inner tubes, canoes, or kayaks," shares Joel R. Rentals are available nearby for those without personal equipment.
Morning photography: Early risers can capture spectacular woodland views with fewer crowds. "My favorite part about camping is the sunrise and Turkey Run was not disappointing," reports Maggie M., who discovered the park's beauty while traveling through the area.
What campers like
Corner campsites: Strategic site selection offers more privacy and space at Turkey Run Canoe & Camping. "Site 91 was tucked away in a more forested area away from RVs. Did a nice kayaking loop using their service. Had everything you needed, very chill experience," explains Rowan G.
Clean facilities: The campground maintains well-kept bathroom facilities. "The bathrooms were super clean and the showers were hot with good water pressure," reports Samantha S., who appreciated this practical amenity during her three-night stay.
Suspension bridge access: The footbridge across Sugar Creek connects campers to additional hiking options. "The suspension footbridge across Sugar Creek is cool," notes Joel R., highlighting this distinctive feature that provides access to trails on both sides of the waterway.
What you should know
Raccoon awareness: Local wildlife has adapted to regular human presence at Turkey Run State Park Campground. "Watch out for the raccoons. Those guys are not afraid of anything," warns Samantha S., suggesting campers properly secure food and garbage.
Site leveling challenges: Many campsites have uneven terrain that requires adjustment. "The site was very uneven. It definitely sloops to the back corner. It was difficult to level our camper but we got it in the end," explains Michelle M. about site #35.
Weekend crowds: Trails become significantly busier on weekends, particularly during summer months. "In order to avoid crowds on the trails, we got there Thursday night so we could hike Friday morning / early afternoon," recommends Samantha S., who planned strategically to enhance her experience.
Electric hookups only: All sites at Turkey Run State Park feature electric service without water hookups. "All sites are electric at Turkey Run. $23 per night," notes Joel R., providing important information for utility planning.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Schedule water activities for peak weekend periods when trails get congested. "Saturday 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," suggests Samantha S.
Spacious sites: Look for corner locations or sites with additional space for children. "We had 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," recommends Kaley A. at Turkey Run State Park Campground.
Trail selection: Some trails accommodate children better than others. "Trail 10 was nothing special but was relatively flat," notes Kaley A., identifying an option suitable for families seeking less challenging terrain.
Tips from RVers
Electric vehicle charging: Sites with 50-amp service can accommodate EV charging needs. "I was able to charge my ev without issue," reports leif D., who appreciated the reliable power options at Turkey Run State Park.
Site selection for larger units: When traveling with larger RVs, carefully research site dimensions. "The campsite is backed up to a major highway so it is loud by nature. The sites are difficult to get into and although they allow one car on the site there is barely room for that one car," cautions Scott B. about space constraints at Turkey Run Canoe & Camping.
Shared electric hookups: Plan for potential power sharing arrangements with neighboring sites. "The electric is shared with another site which could be a problem if you have the same type of service since there is only one 50 amp, one 30 amp, and one 20 amp service per hook up," explains Scott B., highlighting an important consideration for RVers with specific power requirements.
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