Prophetstown State Park Campground offers seasonal camping between March and October. The campground sits on former tallgrass prairie land with minimal shade except in the full hookup loop. Most Lafayette area campgrounds experience hot, humid summers with temperatures often reaching into the 90s, while spring and fall provide milder camping conditions. Winter camping options are limited in the immediate Lafayette area, with only a few facilities remaining open year-round.
What to do
Swimming and water activities: Prophetstown State Park Campground features a water park with attractions for all ages. "Waterpark is $5.00 and entertains all ages," notes one visitor. The park also offers "a new, large public pool and a few hiking and biking trails" according to another camper.
Fishing opportunities: Big Fish-n-Camp Ground provides three stocked ponds for catch-and-release fishing. "The pond is stocked with GIANT fish (catch and release only)," reports one visitor. These ponds are open to both overnight campers and day visitors who can purchase passes for 2-12 hours of fishing.
River activities: Sugar Creek Campground and Canoe Rental LLC offers creek access for water recreation. "The creek is awesome for catching tadpoles and minnows. And definitely take time to float or kayak down the river," shares one visitor. The campground provides canoe, kayak, and tube rentals on-site for exploring Sugar Creek.
Hiking trails: Turkey Run State Park Campground features unique trail systems through rock formations. "We hiked Trail 3, which has the ladders, and parts of trail 10, 4, and 2," reports a visitor. The park contains several challenging trails, with one camper noting that "part of it went through box canyons up an active, though trickling, stream bed."
What campers like
Natural settings: Turkey Run State Park Campground provides unusual geological features. "The rocks, waterfalls, and streams will have you awestruck the whole time," writes one camper. Several visitors mention the suspension bridge over Sugar Creek as a highlight of their visit.
Family-friendly amenities: Lost Acres RV Park offers numerous activities for children. "There is something for everyone. Playgrounds, new pool, kids activities, corn hole tournaments, fishing pond," notes a seasonal camper. The campground maintains a family orientation with organized events throughout the camping season.
Shade options: While many Lafayette campgrounds lack mature trees, certain sites provide better coverage. At Turkey Run State Park, one visitor recommends site #35, describing it as "in a very quiet, off the main road, in a circle, in full shade." At Prophetstown, campers note that "sites with some shade (especially the section with full hookups)" provide relief from summer heat.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds around Lafayette typically maintain well-kept bathhouses. At Turkey Run, "the bathrooms were super clean and the showers were hot with good water pressure." Similarly, a visitor to Lost Acres RV Park described it as "clean and well maintained, pleasant staff and campers."
What you should know
Site conditions: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain requiring leveling equipment. At Turkey Run State Park, a camper reports site #35 "is very uneven. It definitely sloops to the back corner. It was difficult to level our camper but we got it in the end." Similarly, Ross Camp features "hard concrete or rocks" at most sites.
Seasonal limitations: Most campgrounds around Lafayette operate on reduced schedules during colder months. Big Fish-n-Camp Ground operates from March through mid-October, closing completely during winter. Sugar Creek Campground experiences higher water levels during spring, making water activities variable by season.
Wildlife awareness: Crawfordsville KOA and other area campgrounds have active wildlife. At Turkey Run, visitors warn "watch out for the raccoons. Those guys are not afraid of anything." Food storage containers are recommended at all campgrounds in the region.
Reservation requirements: Most Lafayette area campgrounds fill quickly during summer weekends. At Prophetstown State Park, "the sites book up super fast on weekends and you have to book months out." Holiday weekends typically require reservations 3-6 months in advance at popular locations.
Tips for camping with families
Trail selection: When hiking with children at Turkey Run State Park, choose appropriate routes. "We hiked Trail 3 with our dog, but we cut off early before the ladders using Trail 10," notes one family. The ladders on Trail 3 present challenges for younger children and pets.
Weekday visits: To avoid crowds at popular destinations, time your visit strategically. "In order to avoid crowds on the trails, we got there Thursday night so we could hike Friday morning / early afternoon," recommends a Turkey Run visitor. Weekdays provide a more relaxed experience at water features and popular trails.
Kid-friendly activities: Sugar Creek Campground offers various recreational options for children. "The park is great, they offer disc golf, Gaga, and other fun activities," reports a family camper. The creek provides safe opportunities for children to explore aquatic wildlife in shallow areas.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Prophetstown State Park, RVers recommend specific areas for better camping. "In the 100's they are full hookup, yes that's right sewer hookups in a state park! The 200's are electric only," explains one frequent visitor. Sites in the full hookup section offer more shade than other areas of the campground.
Utility access: Wolfs Leisure Time Campground provides riverside sites with varied hookup options. "Pretty spots by the river but best for adults only trips as there is a step ledge," warns one RVer. While river sites offer scenic views, they may have more challenging access for larger rigs.
Leveling challenges: Many Lafayette area campgrounds require substantial leveling equipment. At Turkey Run, site #94 was praised as "nice and level" with "almost a whole extra campsite's worth of space," while at Ross Camp, site 8 "drops off quite a bit to the back so be sure to have appropriate leveling blocks."
