Greencastle, Indiana sits within an hour of several state parks and recreation areas in west-central Indiana. The area features rolling hills, dense forests, and multiple water features including lakes and creeks. Summer temperatures typically range from 60°F at night to 85°F during peak day hours, with most campgrounds experiencing peak visitation between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
What to do
Water activities at Cecil M Harden Lake: This recreation area features a beach area for swimming and multiple lake access points. "We love camping here! Lots to do. Love the archery range," notes Nicole B., highlighting recreational options beyond water activities.
Hiking at Shades State Park: Located near Waveland, Shades offers rugged trails through deep ravines with some challenging terrain. "Beautiful wooded campground neat Sugar Creek. Deep ravines and moderate to rugged trails encompass the area," shares Rebecca J. Some trails include ladders and water crossings.
Disc golf at Rockville Lake County Park: The park features an 18-hole disc golf course set in the woods with challenging elevation changes. "Disc golf course is awesome, in the woods, up and down ravine. 18 holes plus practice basket. Hole 1 starts by primitive sites closer to beach," explains Smeeta T., who recommends asking for a course map at the gatehouse.
Seasonal events at Lake Waveland Park: This campground hosts special events throughout their May to October season. "Fireworks in July and Halloween for the whole family in October," mentions Nicole B. The park combines water recreation with seasonal programming for campers.
What campers like
Privacy levels at Turkey Run State Park Campground: Campers appreciate the wooded sites that offer more seclusion. "We were in a wooded section and it was pretty private however our site was pretty sloped. Next time I would probably pick the site on either side of 167," advises Samantha S., who also cautions: "The open, grassy area sites don't offer any privacy."
Clean facilities at Rockville Lake County Park: The well-maintained bathhouses and showers receive consistent praise. "The cleanest campground we have been to in our neighborhood!" reports Pam M. The park also maintains three playgrounds and multiple amenities across its grounds.
Fishing opportunities: Many campgrounds in the area cater to fishing enthusiasts. At Rockville Lake, Josh H. shares: "The fishing was pretty good too!" At Lake Waveland, visitors appreciate the stocked lake, with William David S. noting the area is "a lovely space with lots of birds to observe."
Spacious sites: Several campgrounds offer generous spacing between sites. "The sites are accessible, the bathrooms are AMAZING (no…seriously), the little attractions are adorable and the host is terrific," explains Linda R. about her stay at Cloverdale RV Park, which offers convenient access from the highway.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds have spotty or no cell coverage. "No cell service but who needs it!" notes Joe M. about his stay at Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area. This can affect planning, especially for emergency contact needs.
Site terrain varies significantly: Many campgrounds feature sloped or uneven sites. At Turkey Run State Park, Leif D. observed: "Sites tried from all concrete to a dusty dirt and rock tent area, and all had old wood picnic tables."
Seasonal facilities: Some amenities close earlier than others. At Lieber State Recreation Area, Amy C. advises: "The pool was excellent! Skip the lake and enjoy the pool." However, pools typically close by Labor Day while lakes remain accessible longer.
Wildlife awareness: Raccoons are particularly active at Turkey Run State Park. "Watch out for the raccoons. Those guys are not afraid of anything," warns Samantha S., suggesting secure food storage is essential.
Tips for camping with families
Beach options for kids: Multiple parks offer swimming areas for children. "There is a beach which was nice and a building to get food. They have a basketball court, and a few trails," notes Staci J. about Raccoon Lake, where her family "stayed Thurs thru Sunday and had a very nice time."
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature multiple play areas. At Lieber State Recreation Area Campground, Brett B. reports: "Lots of activities for families. The beach was fun. Very social campground, but respectful and quiet after dark."
Kid-friendly trails: Not all trails are suitable for young children. For Turkey Run State Park, Samantha S. advises: "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 :)"
Weekend activities: Some campgrounds offer structured programs for children. At Hickory Hills Camp Resort, Stephanie C. shares: "Saturday mornings were our favorite where we could get biscuits and gravy, coffee and the kids had craft time."
Tips for RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the Greencastle area feature uneven terrain. Dave R. notes about Cecil M Harden Lake: "Some of the sites have a huge inclines or declines, allot of sites reserved way in advanced. There is a few pull throughs, no water hook ups at site."
Hookup variations: RVers should verify available connections. At Shades State Park Campground, Nick S. explains: "Great sites that offer decent privacy with brush & trees as a barrier between sites. Paved parking pad, steel fire-ring with steel grid to cook on."
Limited big rig access: Some parks have size restrictions or challenging access roads. In the primitive section of Shades State Park, Cynthia K. cautions: "This wouldn't be a campground I would choose if I had a big rig."
Reservation requirements: Popular RV sites book quickly, especially those with full hookups. Jeremiah G. observes about Rockville Lake County Park: "The full hookup site section is flat but with less tree cover. 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."
Guide
