Marshall, Indiana camping areas sit within a landscape of ravines, sandstone cliffs, and mature hardwood forests. The region experiences humid continental climate with warm summers where temperatures average 85°F and cold winters that can drop below 20°F. Campgrounds in the area feature varied terrain with many sites requiring leveling equipment on gravel or dirt pads.
What to do
Hiking trail systems: Turkey Run State Park Campground features challenging hiking routes through unique geological formations. One visitor noted, "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."
Fishing opportunities: Peaceful Waters Campground has a central fishing pond where families can enjoy shoreline fishing. A camper mentioned, "There's a nice pond in the center of the campground where they have paddle boats and canoes; also saw people fishing. There's a cute little camp store where you can buy ice, last minute necessities."
Water recreation: Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area offers swimming at a large, maintained beach area with boat rentals available nearby. "Great place to camp, can be flooded at times," reports one camper, while another added, "There was a beach which was nice and a building to get food. They have a basketball court, and a few trails."
What campers like
Privacy options: Shades State Park Campground provides more secluded camping with natural barriers between sites. "Large campground with lots of space between sites. Privacy allowed my friends and I to play cards late into the night without bothering anyone," one camper explained.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds throughout the Marshall area maintain well-kept bathhouses and shower facilities. At Rockville Lake County Park, visitors appreciate that "the park staff were super friendly and very helpful. The fishing was pretty good too!"
Convenience to attractions: Most campgrounds are situated within 15-30 minutes of each other, making it easy to explore multiple parks. "Awesome place," reported one camper about Rockville Lake County Park, noting it's "only 15 minutes from Turkey Run."
What you should know
Site challenges: Many rv parks in Marshall, Indiana have uneven terrain requiring significant leveling. At Turkey Run State Park Campground, "Sites are in a mature tree woods, so some sites are not as level as others. $23 per night."
Wildlife awareness: Raccoons are particularly bold at several campgrounds. "Watch out for the raccoons. Those guys are not afraid of anything," warns one Turkey Run visitor.
Seasonal operations: Turkey Run Canoe & Camping operates from April 15 to November 1, with limited availability outside this window. A visitor noted, "The grounds are well kept and the owners are just nice people. The only caveat I have is that there is only one building for showers for the whole site."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. At Peaceful Waters, "There is a playground for the kiddos if you have them, a volleyball net, and horseshoes."
Swimming options: Cecil M Harden Lake features a designated beach area popular with families. As one visitor reported, "Nice camp sites and friendly staff. My only reason for not giving 5 stars is the bathrooms are nice, but not air conditioned."
Trail difficulty assessment: For families with children, consider trail ratings carefully. At Thousand Trails Horseshoe Lakes, "The park is very large, has many activities such as swimming, fishing, arcades, cornhole, volleyball. You will need a vehicle to travel to activities because they are far away."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: At Turkey Run State Park Campground, RVers recommend wooded sites for privacy. "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."
Hookup variations: RV parks near Marshall, Indiana offer different levels of service. Rockville Lake County Park has both partial and full hookup sections: "We stayed in the modern section of the campground. This is the electric and water only section. The sites range from very uneven to moderately uneven in this section. The full hookup site section is flat but with less tree cover."
Arrival timing: Early arrival is recommended during peak season. A Cloverdale RV Park visitor reported, "This easy-access-from-the-highway RV park is really nice. The spots are accessible, the bathrooms are AMAZING, the little attractions are adorable and the host is terrific."
