Camping near Crawfordsville, Indiana offers diverse terrain with elevations ranging from 700 to 900 feet above sea level in the rolling hills of west-central Indiana. Raccoons are frequently mentioned in campground reviews throughout the area, requiring careful food storage practices at most sites. The camping season typically extends from April through October, with limited winter facilities available at select locations.
What to do
Paddle Sugar Creek: Sugar Creek Campground provides direct water access with kayak and canoe rentals. "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 instead of fighting crowds at the park," shares one Turkey Run State Park visitor.
Hike rugged trails: The area features challenging terrain uncommon in Indiana. "This is a hikers park & it has some of the most rugged trails in Indiana. The Pine Hills Nature Preserve is maintained by the park. The Devils Backbone is a popular trail, but definitely on the rugged side," notes a visitor to Shades State Park.
Fish in stocked ponds: Multiple campgrounds maintain fishing areas. "The pond is stocked with GIANT fish (catch and release only) and definitely go for a hike over at Turkey Run," reports a camper at Sugar Creek Campground. Lake-based options also exist at several locations around Crawfordsville.
What campers like
Wooded sites for privacy: Campgrounds with forest cover provide seclusion. "Nice quiet campground with spacious sites. Canopied by the big beautiful Indiana trees. Close to some good hiking trails," notes a Shades State Park visitor about the camping environment.
Clean facilities: Maintained bathhouses receive consistent praise across campgrounds. "The bathrooms were super clean and the showers were hot with good water pressure," reports a camper at Turkey Run State Park Campground.
Variety of accommodations: Options range from primitive tent sites to full-service cabins. "We stayed in site 41 which is a double site. I'd highly recommend this site. It backs up to Sugar Creek which is just gorgeous in the spring. We saw all kinds of birds, turtles, frogs and even a couple snakes," shares a visitor to Sugar Creek Campground.
What you should know
Uneven terrain at some sites: Campsite topography varies considerably. "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," explains a Turkey Run camper about site #35.
Weekend crowds: Popular parks fill quickly during peak season. "I would advise to camp during the week for a less crowded time," suggests a Sugar Creek Campground visitor, while another notes: "We arrived on Thursday on April 29th and the place was empty."
Wildlife encounters: Prepare for animal visitors, particularly after dark. "Watch out for the raccoons. Those guys are not afraid of anything," warns a Turkey Run State Park camper, a common theme across multiple campground reviews in the region.
Tips for camping with families
Look for playground access: Several campgrounds feature recreational areas for children. "My boys enjoyed the playground and my wife enjoyed the modern showers. Shades State Park is a great place to unplug and reconnect," mentions a visitor to Shades State Park Campground.
Consider weekday visits: Families report quieter experiences outside peak times. "We love the family friendly atmosphere, and all of the extras they offer for the kids! There is a great pond for fishing, and there are lots of fish to catch!" reports a Sugar Creek visitor.
Select sites strategically: Location within campgrounds affects noise and convenience. "We were in 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. It also had a tree for shade and was nice and level," notes a Turkey Run camper.
Tips from RVers
Check site levelness: Many RV sites require adjustment. "Sites have chip gravel, clean sites, clean comfort stations. Some sites are full hookup," notes a camper at Prophetstown State Park, while others mention challenges with uneven terrain at various campgrounds.
Verify hookup locations: Utility placement varies between sites. "My site was easy to level, beautiful wooded campground convenient to interstate," reports a camper at Crawfordsville KOA, though another visitor notes: "sewer hookup was all the way at the end of the site, needed extra extension to hook up sewer."
Consider rig size limitations: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger vehicles. "This wouldn't be a campground I would choose if I had a big rig," advises a Shades State Park visitor about the limitations of certain camping areas, particularly in the more primitive sections of state parks.
