Glamping options near Lafayette, Indiana range from tent sites along Sugar Creek to full-service cabin accommodations. The region sits along the Wabash River watershed, with elevations between 500-700 feet above sea level creating varied terrain for camping. Most campgrounds remain open from April through October, with summer temperatures typically ranging from 60-85°F, making it ideal for outdoor recreation.
What to do
Fishing at stocked ponds: Big Fish-n-Camp Ground features three fully stocked ponds for catch-and-release fishing. According to a visitor, "There are three huge ponds fully stocked with fish. The fishing is also open to the public where people can get day passes for 2, 4, 8 or 12 hours of fishing."
Hiking unique terrain: Turkey Run State Park Campground offers unusual geology with box canyons and stream beds. A camper noted, "There are multiple trails and some quite challenging ones. No water hookups at the site but all except the 'youth sites' had 110, 30, and 50 amp power. I was able to charge my ev without issue."
Water recreation: The area features several streams and lakes for tubing, canoeing, and kayaking. A visitor to Sugar Creek Campground and Canoe Rental LLC shared, "We come to Sugar Creek because it is close and it is a nice campground. We wish there was a pool, but there is the creek. Most sites a spacious unless you are on the water side."
Disc golf courses: Multiple campgrounds feature disc golf courses for all skill levels. A reviewer mentioned, "They even have a frisbee golf course. We are locals and this is our go to as it is quiet and we can see the kids play from our campsite."
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Many campgrounds offer secluded options away from busier areas. A Turkey Run visitor advised, "The open, grassy area sites don't offer any privacy. If that's what you're looking for, try to get a wooded site on the outsides that back up to woods. The majority of those have a decent number of trees separating you from the site next to you."
Water access: Waterfront sites remain popular, particularly at Wolfs Leisure Time Campground where a camper noted, "We have a tent and a canoe, so we really enjoyed the campsites they have by the river. The folks who run the place are very nice, one night they even opened up the camp store so we could get tent stakes, which we'd forgotten."
Swimming options: Natural swimming areas and pools provide relief during hot months. A visitor to France Park shared, "I took a 5 mile hike and she spent the day on the beach and swimming in the crystal clear lake. There are sooooo many trails and they are very well maintained, although if it's rained, there may be standing water in some of the lower areas."
Campground activities: Many locations organize regular events for guests. A camper mentioned, "They are great at planning activities for the guests and really like to make people feel at home. In addition to the feast, nearby is Tippecanoe State Park and Frank Lloyd Wright's Samara house."
What you should know
Raccoon management: Wildlife, particularly raccoons, require proper food storage. A camper at Turkey Run warned, "As some other reviews stated, watch out for the raccoons. Those guys are not afraid of anything."
Site selection tips: Terrain varies significantly within campgrounds. A Turkey Run visitor advised, "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."
Seasonal considerations: Trails may become muddy after rain. A reviewer noted, "There may be standing water in some of the lower areas. There is plenty of room for kayaking, fishing and hiking."
Primitive camping options: Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area offers more remote options for those seeking a backcountry experience. A visitor shared, "We stayed in the hideaway loop and it was perfect. Lots of wildlife, so pack your food up right. The hiking trails were pretty, not very rugged."
Tips for camping with families
Shallow water access: Some sites feature kid-friendly water areas. A Sugar Creek camper shared, "The creek is awesome for catching tadpoles and minnows."
Playground availability: Several campgrounds maintain designated play areas. A visitor to Wolfs Leisure Time noted, "They have a little arcade hall, have bingo, a swimming pool, basketball court. We were busy with kids activities so we didn't really get to enjoy the park a whole lot but staff seemed friendly."
Off-peak timing: For quieter experiences, schedule weekday visits. One visitor advised, "In order to avoid crowds on the trails, we got there Thursday night so we could hike Friday morning/early afternoon. Saturday we rented a canoe from a canoe place right down the road from the campground."
Family-friendly campsites: Look for sites away from main roads. A visitor to Big Fish-n-Camp Ground shared, "We love coming here when we want to camp, fish and getaway from home without driving far. We prefer certain primitive sites where we can be spaced out more and park on the grass since we car camp."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many sites require leveling blocks. A camper noted, "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."
Limited full hookup availability: Not all campgrounds offer complete services. A reviewer at Charlarose Campground stated, "There were only 2 sites that were full hookups big enough for our 5th wheel."
Power options: Most sites offer electric hookups. A Turkey Run visitor detailed, "All except the 'youth sites' had 110, 30, and 50 amp power. I was able to charge my ev without issue."
Reservation timing: Popular RV sites book quickly, especially for weekends. A camper at Raccoon Lake noted, "Great place to camp, can be flooded at times, 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."
