The best camping near Turkey Run State Park

Turkey Run State Park offers great hiking options, with an unusual mix of sandstone ravines and tree-lined trails, plus there’s a seasonal pool, ball courts, and a wide creek for kayaking and tubing.  Numerous historic structures dot the park, including a log church, a cabin, an old covered bridge, and even a beautifully preserved home that dates to the 1820s. If you want to stay the night, the park offers a stately inn along with cabins and a campground featuring 213 electric sites, each with its own fire ring.

1. You can reserve a campsite at Indiana Turkey Run up to six months in advance through the Indiana Department of Natural Resources website or by calling the Indiana State Park reservation hotline.
2. A minimum two-night stay applies for weekend campers (three nights on public holidays). This rule is waived for campsites not booked within three days of the arrival date.
3. Same-day reservations are sometimes available in person on a first-come, first-served basis, but getting a spot this way is unlikely on weekends and in summer.
4. If you can't find a spot at Turkey Run, fear not: there are plenty of private campgrounds and Hipcamps within a short drive of the park.

Turkey Run is open year-round, and while autumn is a great time to visit for the colors, summer is by far the most popular time to visit. The Department of Natural Resources runs a variety of public programs throughout the year, including planetarium programs, naturalist lectures, guided winter ice hikes, and regular guided hikes during warmer weather.

• Turkey Run has its own camp store offering food and firewood, and a gas station sits right by the park entrance. If you need to do a more extensive shop, your best bet is to head to the nearby city of Crawfordsville, about a half-hour drive away.
• Six campsites and one cabin at Turkey Run are wheelchair accessible.
• Dogs are allowed but must remain on leashes no longer than six feet at all times.