Turkey Run State Park and surrounding campgrounds near Marshall, Indiana sit on unique sandstone formations carved by glacial meltwater thousands of years ago. The region features ravines 100-150 feet deep with waterfalls and streams running through narrow canyons. Most campgrounds stay open from April through October, though Turkey Run and Raccoon Lake remain accessible year-round.
What to do
Creek exploration: Rent canoes or kayaks at Sugar Creek Campground for paddling adventures. "The creek was high for canoeing and tubing the first 2 days but half the family was able to go the third day. Turkey run is only a 35 min drive to beautiful hiking," shares Amy Y. about her Sugar Creek Campground experience.
Disc golf: Play an 18-hole course at Rockville Lake Park. "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," according to Smeeta T. from Rockville Lake County Park.
Fishing: Cast a line in stocked ponds at multiple locations. "There is a nice pond in the center of the property that has good size fish! The pond seems to be well maintained and clean!" reports Eli C. about Peaceful Waters Campground.
What campers like
Corner sites: Secure spots along outer loops for more privacy and space. "We ended up with a great corner spot in the middle of a turn off from the main drive," writes Monica C. about her stay at Turkey Run State Park Campground.
Clean facilities: Modern bathhouses receive regular maintenance at most parks. "The bathrooms were okay. They were older but seemed to be fairly well maintained," notes Kaley A. after staying at Turkey Run State Park Campground.
Diverse terrain: Unique landscape features unlike other Indiana camping areas. "This park is just other-worldly. We loved it. We hiked Trail 3, which has the ladders, and parts of trail 10, 4, and 2," reports Kaley A. about the distinctive geological formations.
What you should know
Wildlife awareness: Raccoons frequently visit campsites after dark. "Be prepared for the Raccoons and tons of fun! Beautiful lake with several nearby places to rent boat's!" advises Sharon T. from Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area.
Site selection: Research specific site numbers before booking. "This site was clean and well equipped with a fire ring and picnic table. The site is very uneven. It definitely sloops to the back corner. It's was difficult to level our camper but we got it in the end," Michelle M. notes about site #35 at Turkey Run.
Weather considerations: Trails often cross streams requiring appropriate footwear. "On one trail part of it went through box canyons up an active, though trickling, stream bed," explains leif D. about Turkey Run's unique trails.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple play areas available at several parks. "Kids loved the playground and all the activities," shares Eli C. about Peaceful Waters Campground, which features centrally located recreational spaces.
Off-peak timing: Schedule visits on weekdays when possible. "In order to avoid crowds on the trails, we got there Thursday night so we could hike Friday morning / early afternoon," suggests Samantha S. from Turkey Run, noting how weekend crowds can impact trail experiences.
Alternative activities: Consider canoeing when trails are busy. "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 at the park," explains Samantha S.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Bring blocks and leveling equipment for uneven terrain. "This campground was reasonably priced, had clean facilities and quite unusual and interesting hiking nearby... I was able to charge my ev without issue," mentions leif D. about Shades State Park Campground, where site conditions vary considerably.
Campsite positioning: Request wooded sites for shade and privacy. "As some other reviews stated, watch out for the raccoons. Those guys are not afraid of anything. Also, 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," advises Samantha S. about dog friendly campgrounds near Marshall.
Hookup preparation: Pack extra cords and hoses for shared utilities. "Sharing of water and electric between two sites, so come prepared with extensions for water and electric," suggests Smeeta T. about Rockville Lake County Park's setup.
