Cecil M Harden Lake Campground

Raccoon State Recreation Area | Cecil M Harden Lake is located in the heart of historic covered bridge country just 50 miles West of Indianapolis. The campground is surrounded by the 2,060 acre Cecil M Harden reservoir offering boating (boat rental), fishing and a large swimming beach with concessions and amenities. The campground is extremely well maintained with many sites sheltered by tree canopy ranging from non-electric, 30 amp, to 50 amp. Fresh water is available at fill stations and a spacious dump station area make for easy disposal. Many of the sites are not level so chose wisely to suit your needs. Easy beach access from the campground via a paved walk/bike path, well stocked camp store at the entrance to the campground, well maintained bath house facilities, active interpretive Naturalist programs, and numerous hiking trail opportunities round out the amenities. This is a beautiful campground; and if you like to explore…take a drive through the area and enjoy the many historic towns, covered bridges and roller mills throughout the county.

We enjoyed tent camping in the primitive campground. If you find the right spot you can nestle yourself back into the woods nicely. There is a camp store for essentials that is at the front of primitive and an easy walk. Lake access down a trail from primitive to a private beach, although I will say it is pretty steep the last 10 yards to the beach (so make sure you are comfortable climbing back up it to get out). Cute public beach in a cove of the lake centrally located in the park. Boat rental available, but reserve a couple weeks in advance, as it books up quick. The town of Rockville is close for any grocery needs. MUST go get the French fries at the “Big Berry”. It is a burger joint down the road. Burgers and ice cream are good....but the fries!!!!!!!!

Walk-ups welcome. It's a beautiful State Recreation Area with well-maintained grounds. Dirt hiking trails throughout along with a paved multiuse trail. One electric loop and the primitive campground are open in the winter with reduced winter rates (since the comfort stations are closed). No national passes accepted. While the sites are asphalt, a lot of the sites are on hillsides and will require substantial front-to-back leveling. I don't hear a lick of traffic noise anywhere...just birds, squirrels, and the wind through the trees.

Be aware that the COE drastically reduces the level of the reservoir in winter, so it's not really the "pretty lake" you might be hoping for at that time of the year.

Bring your extra leveling blocks !! Took us 45 minutes to level. Biggest issue was the asphalt pads had no grip and out levelers kept kicking out. Eventually dropped one side of trailer off pad which helped a bit. Sadly we had one of the more level sites. Campground was very quiet and VERY clean. Raccoon Run loop were spaced the best. Nice dump stations and very friendly staff. Rockville only about 15 minutes away. The Ranch restaurant across the road from park entrance was pretty good as well.