Camping sites near Poland, Indiana primarily consist of state-managed properties within forested terrain at elevations between 600-700 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-90°F with high humidity, while fall brings temperatures in the 60-70°F range with drier conditions. The area's campgrounds generally remain open year-round, though winter camping requires preparation for temperatures that can drop below freezing.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Cagles Mill Lake at Lieber State Recreation Area provides extensive fishing options. "Stayed at Poplar Grove. Great sites. Lots of activities for families. The beach was fun. Very social campground, but respectful and quiet after dark," notes Brett B.
Pool swimming: Multiple campgrounds offer swimming pools rather than just lake access. "The pool was excellent! Skip the lake and enjoy the pool," shares Amy C. about Lieber SRA, while Shakamak State Park provides "a really nice pool with water slides and diving board. The pool also had a splash area/wading pool for your smaller kiddos."
Hiking variety: Trail difficulty varies significantly across the region. At Turkey Run State Park, "Trail 10 was nothing special but was relatively flat. It was pretty crowded but people were respectful," according to Kaley A., who also hiked Trail 3 with the ladders.
Boating options: Electric motors are permitted on several area lakes. "This is a fishing park. Boating with electric motors, so a quiet lake," reports Cynthia K. about Shakamak State Park. For those seeking more active options, "Saturday we rented a canoe from a canoe place right down the road from the campground," notes Samantha S. about her Turkey Run experience.
What campers like
Shaded sites: Wooded campsites provide relief from summer heat. At Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area, "We stayed in the hideaway loop and it was perfect. Lots of wildlife, so pack your food up right," explains Stacey S. Most established campgrounds maintain tree cover for summer comfort.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain exceptional cleanliness standards. "The bathrooms were super clean and the showers were hot with good water pressure," reports Samantha S. from Turkey Run, while another camper noted Shakamak's bathrooms as "KOA clean. Also unheard of in an Indiana State Park. I couldn't even find a spider web."
Site spacing: Site privacy varies considerably between campgrounds. At Terre Haute Campground, "The area is clean, well-managed and has the look of a nice neighborhood of campers in the trees," according to Steve A., while Shakamak offers "evenly spaced from the other campsites by trees."
Seasonal events: Special weekend activities enhance camping experiences throughout the year. "We love going to this park several times a year. We especially like camping in the fall for their Goblins weekend," shares Timothy B. about Lieber SRA, showing how scheduled events create repeat visitors.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly across the region. At Raccoon SRA, "No cell service but who needs it!" notes Joe M., while Lieber campers report "ZERO cell phone coverage." For those needing connectivity, Terre Haute Campground provides "3 bars on Verizon" and "above average" WiFi.
Wildlife encounters: Raccoons are common visitors at most campgrounds. "We did have several nighttime visits from a couple large raccoon families, but it became a game for the kids as they watched for them," shares DevinandKalah H. about Shakamak. Proper food storage is essential.
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds have terrain variations requiring preparation. At Cloverdale RV Park, "The spots are accessible," notes Linda R., while at Turkey Run, "The 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," reports Michelle M.
Reservation timing: Popular weekends fill quickly at most parks. "Turkey Run is arguably the most popular campground in Indiana," making advance planning essential, particularly for holiday weekends when "the non electrical can be a wild party during memorial weekend," according to Nicole G. at Lieber.
Tips for camping with families
Bike-friendly areas: Several campgrounds offer excellent cycling opportunities. At Shakamak, "Very flat and ideal for bike riding," while Happy Campers Campground provides "Plenty of room for kids or pets to roam and play. Very clean and safe," according to Randy M.
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for children. Terre Haute Campground includes basketball courts and playgrounds, while Hickory Hills offers "several playgrounds, Gaga ball, tether ball, volleyball, frisbee golf and several weekend activities for everyone."
Weekend activities: Scheduled events keep children engaged. "Saturday mornings were our favorite where we could get biscuits and gravy, coffee and the kids had craft time," shares Stephanie C. about Hickory Hills, demonstrating how programmed activities enhance family stays.
Water features: Swimming options vary across campgrounds. "We hiked Friday morning / early afternoon. 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," explains Samantha S. about managing crowds at Turkey Run.
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Water access differs between campgrounds. At Lieber, "despite the fact that we chose our site based on being next to water, they have the spickets hacked off. So you couldn't attach a hose," reports Shannon C., highlighting the importance of understanding specific amenities.
Extension cord needs: Power hookup placement can require additional equipment. At Shakamak, "Bring an extension cord if you're in a pull through. If you want your door facing the fire pit- the electric box is in an awkward place."
Site selection strategy: RV site privacy varies considerably. "If you're looking for that, 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," advises Samantha S. about Turkey Run, contrasting with the observation that "the open, grassy area sites don't offer any privacy."
Site leveling: Terrain varies significantly across the region. "The sites are all flat- ALL FLAT!!! No inclined sites at all! Unheard of in an Indiana State Park," notes one Shakamak visitor, while at Turkey Run, "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."
