Turkey Run State Park and nearby camping areas are situated in west-central Indiana, approximately 20-30 miles from Roachdale. The region features rolling hills with elevations ranging from 650 to 780 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-90°F, while spring and fall camping seasons offer milder 60-75°F days with cooler nights in the 40-50°F range.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Rockville Lake County Park offers excellent fishing in its 100-acre lake. "The fishing was pretty good too!" notes a recent visitor. The park includes a fish cleaning station and attracts many anglers throughout the season.
Disc golf course: Rockville Lake County Park features an 18-hole disc golf course through wooded terrain. "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," explains one camper who enjoyed the challenging layout.
Kayaking and tubing: Sugar Creek Campground provides direct access to creek activities. "We had fun tubing in sugar creek through Clements Canoes. It was August so the river was kinda low and we had to stand up and walk a few times," reports one visitor. Tubing trips typically take 1-4 hours depending on water levels.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the well-maintained bathrooms at Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area. "Bathroom facilities are very clean, new bike, walking, rollerblading path. Beach is large and clean. We go every year and love it!" shares one repeat visitor. The park maintains modern restrooms with regular cleaning schedules.
Spacious campsites: Many campers appreciate the room to spread out at certain campgrounds. "The campsite itself was large and spacious and the campgrounds is well taken care of," notes a visitor to Sugar Creek Campground. Site sizes vary significantly across the area, with some offering 30+ feet between neighbors.
Hiking options: Turkey Run State Park Campground receives praise for its unique terrain. "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," advises one hiker. Most trails range from 0.5 to 2 miles in length.
What you should know
Site selection matters: Choose carefully at Turkey Run State Park. "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," recommends one camper. The open sites offer less privacy than wooded ones.
Wildlife awareness: Multiple campers mention raccoons at Turkey Run. "As some other reviews stated, watch out for the raccoons. Those guys are not afraid of anything," warns one visitor. Food storage containers are recommended as raccoons actively investigate campsites after dark.
Water levels vary: When planning creek activities, check recent conditions. "It was August so the river was kinda low and we had to stand up and walk a few times," notes a Sugar Creek visitor. Spring typically offers higher water levels for floating activities than late summer.
Tips for camping with families
Multiple playgrounds: Old Mill Run Park caters to families with various recreation options. "There is Putt putt, shuffle board, a large creek and pond to fish in," explains a visitor. The heated outdoor pool is particularly popular with children during summer months.
Weekday visits: To avoid crowds at popular spots like Turkey Run, 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 one family. Weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day see the highest visitor numbers.
Beach access: Raccoon Lake offers swimming opportunities for families. "This place is so beautiful! We stayed in the hideaway loop and it was perfect. Lots of wildlife, so pack your food up right," shares a visitor. The beach area typically opens from late May through early September, weather permitting.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Several campgrounds in the area require preparation for uneven sites. "The sites in modern electric water only can be awkward to back into with no room to pull forward due to a ditch in some areas," notes a visitor to Rockville Lake County Park. Bringing leveling blocks is recommended for most area campgrounds.
Hookup arrangements: Be prepared for shared or unusual utility setups. "The electric is shared with another site which could be a problem if you have the same type of service since there is only one 50 amp, one 30 amp, and one 20 amp service per hook up," explains a camper at Turkey Run Canoe & Camping. Extension cords and extra water hoses are useful at many area campgrounds.
Site spacing varies: For those seeking privacy, research specific loops or sections. "Only reason for 4 stars is I think they need to redo like 1/4 of campground," mentions a visitor to Turkey Run Canoe & Camping, noting that some sections feel cramped while others offer more space.
