Camping options near Roachdale, Indiana include well-maintained county parks, state recreational areas, and private campgrounds. Most sites are situated within a 30-mile radius, making day trips between locations practical. Seasonal considerations are important for campers visiting this area, as spring often brings muddy conditions while summer weekends typically experience higher occupancy rates.
What to do
Hiking trails at Shades State Park: The park offers some of Indiana's most challenging terrain with several rugged trails through deep ravines. "This state park is great for hiking! Many trails lead to gorgeous rocky cliffs, the river and a gorgeous waterfall. Love that it's much less populated giving you are your crew more space and less noise," notes one visitor to Shades State Park Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Rockville Lake County Park provides excellent fishing access with dedicated facilities. "The Campground is very well maintained great fishing and only 15 minutes from Turkey Run," shares a camper. The park includes "a nice fish cleaning station" and many visitors bring boats specifically for fishing the lake.
Water recreation: Sugar Creek runs through multiple parks in the region, offering various water 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," explains a visitor to Sugar Creek Campground. Many campgrounds offer canoe, kayak, or tube rentals directly on-site.
Disc golf courses: Several campgrounds feature disc golf for outdoor enthusiasts. "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. Ask for a disc golf map at gatehouse," recommends a guest at Rockville Lake County Park.
What campers like
Quiet atmosphere: Many campgrounds in the area maintain peaceful environments. A Crawfordsville KOA visitor noted, "Great spot for an overnight stop. Host was super friendly and helpful... The campground itself was very lovely and quiet." The more secluded locations provide relief from highway noise.
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness receives consistent praise at several parks. "Bathroom facilities are very clean, new bike, walking, rollerblading path. Beach is large and clean. We go every year and love it!" shares a camper at Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area.
Wildlife viewing: The area supports diverse wildlife, particularly around water features. "Be prepared for the Raccoons and tons of fun! Beautiful lake with several nearby places to rent boats! Beautiful, peaceful campsites with a lot of shade!" explains one visitor. Raccoons are frequently mentioned across multiple campgrounds.
Beach access: Several parks feature swimming areas during summer months. "There was a beach which was nice and a building to get food. They have a basketball court, and a few trails. We stayed Thursday through Sunday and had a very nice time," notes a visitor to Cecil M Harden Lake.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly between parks, with some locations offering no reception. "We really enjoyed our visit to Raccoon Lake. Plenty of places to hike, awesome beach, clean restrooms. No cell service but who needs it!" reports one camper.
Uneven terrain at campsites: Many campgrounds feature sloped sites that require leveling equipment. "Great place to camp, can be flooded at times, some of the sites have huge inclines or declines, allot of sites reserved way in advanced," warns a camper about Raccoon SRA.
Seasonal flooding concerns: Water levels impact both campsite availability and water activities. "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.
Wildlife protection measures: Raccoons are particularly active and require proper food storage. "Raccoons will show up at night so pack up your snacks," advises a camper at Sugar Creek Campground and Canoe Rental.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and recreational facilities: Multiple campgrounds offer dedicated children's areas. "The campground is family friendly and was quiet at night. There is a lot to do at this state park. We hiked the #3 and #5 trails and it took us about 2 hours," shares a visitor to Turkey Run State Park.
Water activities for children: Beaches and swimming areas provide supervised water recreation. "The creek is awesome for catching tadpoles and minnows. And definitely take time to float or kayak down the river," recommends a Sugar Creek Campground visitor.
Cabin options for non-tent campers: Several parks offer cabin rentals for families seeking more amenities. "This KOA served as 'home' for my husband and I for 3 weeks while moving. The family that runs the campground is wonderful and extremely helpful... The cabin we stayed in had so much privacy and was adorable!" notes a guest at Crawfordsville KOA.
Site selection for families: Some locations offer better family accommodations. "We stayed in the hideaway loop and it was perfect. Lots of wildlife, so pack your food up right. The hiking trails were pretty, not very rugged. Scenery was nice on the trails," advises a Raccoon SRA visitor.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Water access varies significantly between campgrounds. "No water hook ups at site," notes one RVer about Raccoon SRA, while other campgrounds offer full hookups but with placement challenges.
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds feature uneven terrain requiring equipment. "The sites range from very uneven to moderately uneven in this section. The full hookup site section is flat but with less tree cover," reports a visitor to Rockville Lake County Park.
Extension cord preparation: Electrical connections may require additional equipment at some parks. "Sharing of water and electric between two sites, so come prepared with extensions for water and electric," advises an RVer at Rockville Lake Park.
Arrival timing considerations: Early arrival is recommended during peak seasons. "The camp host/owner is very friendly. Plenty of room for kids or pets to roam and play," notes a visitor to Happy Campers Campground, which requires calling ahead for reservations.
