Glamping near West Terre Haute, Indiana offers visitors access to three connected lakes spanning 400 acres at Shakamak State Park and numerous hiking trails through the sandstone formations of Turkey Run. These state parks provide structured accommodation options in terrain that transitions from the flat plains west of the Wabash River to the more rugged eastern landscape. Spring and fall temperatures typically range from 45°F to 75°F, creating ideal conditions for outdoor recreation between heavy summer humidity and winter precipitation.
What to do
Explore hiking trails: Shakamak State Park features multiple hiking routes through wooded areas. "There's 7 hiking trails. All are nice walks in the woods," according to one visitor at Shakamak State Park Campground. The trails range from easy to moderate difficulty levels and provide good options for casual day hikes.
Try water activities: Cecil M Harden Lake at Raccoon State Recreation Area offers excellent fishing and boating options. A visitor reports, "Just beautiful! One of the best state park campgrounds I've grown to love with beautiful views, hiking, and boating," highlighting the Cecil M Harden Lake recreation potential.
Visit unique geological features: Turkey Run State Park provides distinctive hiking experiences through box canyons. A camper notes, "On one trail part of it went through box canyons up an active, though trickling, stream bed," describing their experience at Turkey Run State Park Campground.
What campers like
Shaded campsites: Many campers appreciate the tree coverage at Hawthorn Park. "The primitive camping spots are very spacious and there's plenty of trees for hammocks and a little privacy," mentions a reviewer about their experience at Hawthorn County Park.
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness rates highly among visitors to Rockville Lake County Park. A camper shares, "The cleanest campground we have been to in our neighborhood!" Another mentions the "nice bathhouse and clean" facilities at the park.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple lakes provide good fishing options across several parks. "Large sites, because they are very wooded lots of shade, not far from downtown, also close to shopping. Lots to do in the park as well, fishing, archery, bike riding, canoe/kiak dock, and lots of very nice trails for hiking/running," notes a visitor about the amenities at Hawthorn Park.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: While some parks operate year-round, others have limited availability. Fox Ridge State Park visitor notes, "We couldn't reserve a site because it was March and because of the time of year, and Covid I suppose, so it was first come, first served." Another mentions Turkey Run Canoe & Camping operates from "April 15 to November 1."
Site conditions vary: Campsites often have uneven terrain. A Rockville Lake County Park camper reports, "The sites range from very uneven to moderately uneven in this section. The full hookup site section is flat but with less tree cover."
Wildlife encounters: Raccoons are common visitors. "Watch out for the raccoons. Those guys are not afraid of anything," warns a camper at Turkey Run State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly amenities: Campgrounds often include recreational options for children. A visitor to Fowler's Park reports, "Our family loves this park. There is plenty to do or not do. Lake is great for fishing, also the beach is very nice. Pioneer village is so neat to walk around."
Consider activity timing: Plan outdoor adventures around crowds. A Turkey Run visitor suggests, "In order to avoid crowds on the trails, we got there Thursday night so we could hike Friday morning / early afternoon."
Find spots with playgrounds: Mill Creek Park provides family-friendly areas. A camper shares that Rockville Lake County Park has "three playgrounds for kids."
Tips from RVers
Prepare for electrical needs: Different campgrounds offer various hookup options. A Turkey Run camper shares, "Sites have 110, 30, and 50 amp power. I was able to charge my ev without issue."
Plan for limited services: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. A camper at Casey KOA states, "It has full hookup, and electric and water sites. The ground seems pretty level throughout the entire place so getting your rig setup should be fairly easy."
Check site dimensions: Some campsites can be challenging for larger rigs. At Turkey Run Canoe & Camping, a visitor warns, "The sites are difficult to get into and although they allow one car on the site there is barely room for that one car."
