Cecil M Harden Lake Raccoon State Recreation Area offers cabin accommodations with electricity, basic furnishings, and easy access to recreation. The area maintains a 2,000-acre lake surrounded by hardwood forests at an elevation of 690 feet. Cabins range from rustic options at Turkey Run State Park to more modern units at private campgrounds near Waveland. Winter temperatures average 20-40°F while summer ranges from 65-85°F.
What to do
Fishing at the lake: Cecil M Harden Lake provides excellent fishing opportunities for multiple species. "We love camping here! Lots to do. Love the archery range," mentions a visitor to Raccoon Cecil M Harden Lake. The lake contains bass, bluegill, and catfish with designated fishing areas.
Hiking the trails: Turkey Run State Park features several trail options with varying difficulty levels. "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," notes a camper at Turkey Run State Park Campground. Trail 3 includes ladder sections and stream crossings.
Water activities: Sugar Creek offers canoe, kayak and tubing rentals during warm months. "The creek is awesome for catching tadpoles and minnows. And definitely take time to float or kayak down the river," shares a visitor at Sugar Creek Campground. Rental services typically operate from April through October.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Many cabin campers appreciate secluded settings. "We took our van and stayed at Turkey Run for a three night weekend. We were in a wooded section and it was pretty private however our site was pretty sloped," reports a camper at Turkey Run State Park Campground. Sites backing up to woods typically offer more separation from neighbors.
Clean facilities: Bathhouse cleanliness ranks high on camper priorities. "The bathrooms were super clean and the showers were hot with good water pressure," notes a reviewer from Turkey Run. At Rockville Lake County Park, a visitor commented, "Newer restroom/showerhouse well kept."
Fishing access: Multiple cabin locations offer fishing opportunities. At Sugar Creek Campground, a camper reports: "The creek is loaded with small mouth bass, some large mouth, gar, bluegill, and carp. The campground offers tubing excursions, but I advise booking that in advance, as they sell out of spots often."
What you should know
Raccoons and wildlife: Multiple campers report active wildlife, particularly raccoons. "As some other reviews stated, watch out for the raccoons. Those guys are not afraid of anything," warns a Turkey Run visitor. Food storage in secure containers prevents unwanted encounters.
Cabin availability: Reservations become necessary months in advance during peak periods. "We were able to charge my ev without issue. Sites tried from all concrete to a dusty dirt and rock tent area, and all had old wood picnic tables," notes a camper at Turkey Run State Park regarding site amenities.
Site variations: Cabin locations and amenities differ significantly between providers. At Peaceful Waters Campground, a visitor notes: "Cute little park, off of 41, most sites are water and electric, most do not have sewer but there's a dump station. Very affordable. Owners are very nice and easy to communicate with."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas. At Crawfordsville KOA, a visitor reports: "There is an awesome playground for families with kids. Nice grassy area throughout for your fur babies." Rockville Lake County Park has "three playgrounds for kids."
Beach activities: Cecil M Harden Lake offers a swimming beach. "I loved this camp ground, there was a beach which was nice and a building to get food. They have a basketball court, and a few trails. We stayed Thurs thru Sunday and had a very nice time," shares a camper.
Cabin selection tips: Choose sites based on amenities and proximity to bathrooms. "Our site was on the far side of the pond next to the playground and there weren't many people near us, so it was pretty quiet except for the occasional road noise," reports a Peaceful Waters visitor who stayed in a primitive site near the playground.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many cabin and RV sites require leveling equipment. "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. It's was difficult to level our camper but we got it in the end," reports a visitor at Turkey Run Canoe & Camping.
Road access considerations: Roads to some cabin areas present challenges. "Nice campground electric hookups my 34' travel trailer fit nicely," mentions a Turkey Run Canoe & Camping visitor, though others note some areas have limited access for larger units.
Hookup locations: Position matters when setting up at full-service sites. "Sharing of water and electric between two sites, so come prepared with extensions for water and electric," advises a Rockville Lake County Park camper regarding utilities placement.
