Turkey Run State Park...

[trumpet87]

Has anyone been here?  It is absolutely GORGEOUS with some of the most incredible hiking paths I'm sure you'd find in the Midwest.  :yikes:  On these paths are large canyons you hike down into, with creek beds running thru them.  They are incredible to say the least. You would never believe you were in Indiana, or the midwest, for that matter.  Most of these paths are pretty rigorous, though.  This park is located NW of Terre Haute, IN.  The camping sites were very nice (large and mostly flat).  It was clean, also.  Also has an Inn you can stay at, which I've heard is nice.

[sacrawf]

Since I live so close by, I have only tent-camped by bicycle touring at Turkey Run in the off-season. The park has fantastic hiking trails. However, the park is somewhat crowded and noisy during the busy season with organized rafting and tubing, a nearby bevy of gift shops, and the park serves as a favorite location for school reunions, corporate meetings, and after-graduation parties.

The lodge is nice with a pool added about a decade ago.  A game room in the basement keeps the kids occupied while a large TV in the corner of the lobby means you won't have to miss the big sports event. The lodge lobby is a rustic and relaxing place to sit and enjoy a book or a board game and enjoy the complimentary coffee by the stone fireplace. The rocking chairs on the second floor balcony are inviting evening attractions. The restaurant is fantastic with a full order menu and occasional buffets, and early reservations must be made early for holiday meals such as Thanksgiving and Valentine's day.   Turkey Run Inn is my first choice for casual special occasion dining.

The campsites are not very private, with Turkey Run High School just across the road, so expect noise and traffic expecially if camping on a football weekend.  Threre were many nuisance raccoons the last time I stayed there; it was not easy to keep them out of the tent and off the picnic table. A walking trail leads from the campground to the Turkey Run Inn, or a short drive/bike ride on the highway takes you from the campgound to the main park entrance.

Nearby Indiana atttractions are the Billie Creek Village and Terra Vin winery in Rockville, the annual Parke County covered bridge festival, nearby Shades state park (much less crowded), Raccoon (Cecil Hardin) Lake East of Rockville.  For road bicyclists an annual spring covered bridge bike tour which starts at Bille Creek goes on to Turkey Run, and a map is available for road bicycling routes in the area. Less obvious to history seekers is the nearby route of the Erie-Wabash Canal, the birthplace of Mordecai Brown, and the Ernie Pyle museum in Montezuma.

Has anyone been here?  It is absolutely GORGEOUS with some of the most incredible hiking paths I'm sure you'd find in the Midwest.  :yikes:  On these paths are large canyons you hike down into, with creek beds running thru them.  They are incredible to say the least. You would never believe you were in Indiana, or the midwest, for that matter.  Most of these paths are pretty rigorous, though.  This park is located NW of Terre Haute, IN.  The camping sites were very nice (large and mostly flat).  It was clean, also.  Also has an Inn you can stay at, which I've heard is nice.

[Lab-dog]

Don't forget the historic ROUND jail house in Crawfordsville.  My kids didn't want to go, complained, whined, etc. etc. but then loved it once we got there.

We also camp at Sugar Creek Campground in Crawfordsville which was very nice.  It is a small family owned campground, but we were very pleasantly surprised.  It is an easy drive to Turkey Run, and right on Sugar Creek.  Plus the owners have hay rides on the weekends, and they also have some concerts there.  Although we have never been to one of the concerts.

We would recommend them.