Turkey Run State Park and surrounding campgrounds near Alamo, Indiana offer diverse camping experiences. The area contains unique sandstone ravines and dense forest, with elevations ranging from 500-680 feet. Camping conditions vary from well-established grounds with full amenities to more primitive options, with summer temperatures averaging 85°F and spring bringing frequent rainfall.
What to do
Hiking challenging trails: Trail 3 at Turkey Run State Park Campground features ladder sections and requires water navigation. "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," reports Samantha S.
Water recreation on Sugar Creek: Rent canoes, kayaks, or inner tubes for floating. "The best part of Turkey Run is sugar creek. You can choose 2 different canoe trips," says Barry B. Multiple outfitters operate near the park entrance with trips ranging from 2-8 miles.
Sunrise viewing: Early mornings offer peaceful nature experiences and wildlife sightings. "My favorite part about camping is the sunrise and Turkey Run was not disappointing," writes Maggie M., who camped in her Jeep at Turkey Run State Park.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Many campers prefer sites that back up to forested areas. "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," notes Samantha S. from Turkey Run State Park.
Corner camping spots: Strategic site selection can enhance the camping experience at Turkey Run Canoe & Camping. "Booked late for this one but ended up with a great corner spot in the middle of a turn off from the main drive," reports Monica C., who also noted good AT&T service but spotty Verizon coverage.
Well-stocked camp store: Convenience items and camping necessities are available on-site. "The grounds are well kept and the owners are just nice people," writes Ed D. about Turkey Run Canoe & Camping, which serves as his "default campground when going to Turkey Run state Park."
What you should know
Site levelness varies significantly: Many campsites have uneven terrain that can challenge setup. "The site was huge but given the unevenness it would be difficult for tents," reports Michelle M. about site #35 at Turkey Run State Park Campground, adding it "definitely sloops to the back corner. It's was difficult to level our camper but we got it in the end."
Limited horse campgrounds near Alamo, Indiana: While equestrian enthusiasts visit the area, designated horse camping facilities are scarce. Local stables offer day rides, but overnight accommodations for horses require advance planning or traveling to facilities farther from Alamo.
Crowding on summer weekends: Weekdays offer a more peaceful experience, especially for trail hiking. "In order to avoid crowds on the trails, we got there Thursday night so we could hike Friday morning / early afternoon," advises Samantha S., who was "super glad" to avoid Saturday crowds.
Tips for camping with families
Consider site location carefully: When camping with children, proximity to facilities matters. "We had site 94, which was right next to the bathhouse. It had almost a whole extra campsite's worth of space next to it for my kids to run around," explains Kaley A. at Turkey Run State Park Campground.
Trail difficulty awareness: Some trails are challenging but manageable for families. "There are lots of inclines and steps, not much of it was extremely easy hiking, but we did see lots of families with kids doing just fine," notes Maggie M. about the park's hiking options.
Wildlife precautions: Local wildlife can be bold around campsites. "Watch out for the raccoons. Those guys are not afraid of anything," warns Samantha S., suggesting proper food storage and supervision of children around camp.
Tips from RVers
EV charging availability: Electric sites can accommodate electric vehicle charging needs. "All except the 'youth sites' had 110, 30, and 50 amp power. I was able to charge my ev without issue," reports Leif D. about Turkey Run State Park.
Shared electric hookups: At some campgrounds, electrical connections serve multiple sites. "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 Scott B. about Turkey Run Canoe & Camping.
Water fill stations: Plan for water access limitations. "There is portable water at the entrance but the road coming and going to the campsite is only wide enough for one rig and you will block traffic while you are filling up," warns Scott B., who found the sites "difficult to get into" with limited parking.
