Located in western Indiana, Cecil M. Harden Lake offers more than 2,000 acres of scenic water for you to explore. The lake is stocked with large numbers of channel catfish, large and smallmouth bass, crappie, and rainbow trout. You can also take a canoe or kayak out onto the lake to explore the 35 miles of tree-lined shores. The park offers boat rentals, and you can also enjoy water and jet skiing on the lake.
Once you head back to dry land, you’ll find over 300 acres of pristine upland forests, jagged quarries, and streams. There are ten miles of hiking trails, many of which have interpretive signs to teach you more about local wildlife. Hunting is allowed in the woods surrounding the lake, drawing in hunters for fall deer season. The park offers a number of guided tours, and you can also enjoy one of the seasonal events hosted at the lake.
The on-site RV campground has over 200 sites to choose from, all of which have electrical hookups and access to modern restrooms. The campground also has athletic fields and courts, as well as a grocery store.
Cecil M. Harden Lake is located in western Indiana, a little less than an hour away from Terre Haute. The area around the lake is a well-developed campground, with wide paved roads that are easy to navigate even for large RVs.
If you are coming from Indianapolis, take US-36 west and you’ll reach the lake in just over an hour. From Terre Haute, the lake is a 45-minute drive along US-41. Driving from St. Louis, take I-70 out of the city and you’ll reach the lake in around three and a half hours.
The campground is just a quick drive once you turn off US-36. Raccoon Parkway is the main road leading into the campground, and it should give you few problems if you are driving a large RV. The RV sites do vary a bit in terms of maximum trailer length, so make sure you check in advance to make sure that your rig will fit.
This large campground located near Cecil M. Harden Lake has 240 RV sites, all of which have electrical hookups. All of the sites have a picnic table and a fire pit. The campground is well developed, with a range of modern amenities. There is a grocery store, athletic fields and courts, modern restrooms, and boat rentals. Pets are allowed, but you’ll have to keep your dog on a leash at all times.
The main draw to the campground is the lake. There are five boat launches, as well as fishing boat and pontoon rentals. Fishing is excellent out on the water as well as from the shore of the river. There are also a number of interpretive programs offered by the park, as well as miles of hiking trails that wind along the shores of the lake.
With well over 200 sites, the campground usually has open spots. However, it will start to fill up during summer weekends, so make sure to book early if you visit during peak season.
Cecil M. Harden Lake offers miles of hiking trails that cut through the hollows and rolling hills surrounding the lake. If you’re up to the challenge, take the six-mile-long Forest Trail, which leads up stone quarries and cuts across a number of streams. You can also find more leisurely trails that lead along the shores of the lake.
The best time to visit is during the fall when the lake comes to life with one last blast of color before the winter.
Fishing is the biggest draw to Cecil M. Harden Lake, attracting local anglers as well as visitors from farther afield. The waters are stocked with a wide range of fish, including large and smallmouth bass, white and black crappie, rainbow trout, walleye, bluegill, and muskie.
There are five boat launches located along the shores of the lake, making it easy to get out onto the water. Fishing boats and pontoon rentals are offered on-site, if you don’t want to bring your own along with your rig.
There are also a number of historic sites of interest near Cecil M. Harden Lake. The Mansfield Roller Mill is located next to the lake, an old fashioned mill that was originally built in the 1880s. The mill is still operational, giving you a sense of what industry was like in the Midwest before the 20th century.
The mill is open throughout the year, although times may vary by season, and tours are not always offered.
The Department of Natural Resources hosts a number of events throughout the year at Cecil M. Harden Lake. These events highlight the history and natural heritage of the surrounding area. Common events include stargazing, tours of the Mansfield Roller Mill, and interpretive programs led by naturalists. Most of the events hosted at the lake are free, although you may need to sign up in advance. Check the park’s website for a schedule of upcoming events.
There are over 300 acres of land by the lake that are open to hunting and trapping. The upland forest has a number of rolling hills and hollows, which attracts a range of large and small game. Deer are the biggest draw for hunters, and you’ll be able to hunt for small game such as hares and squirrels.
Although hunting is allowed in many areas around the lake, there are a few restricted areas. To avoid hunting in the wrong areas, get an up to date hunting map from the park.
If you’re tired of the water and the trails, head to one of the variety of athletic facilities offered by the park. There are multiple basketball courts, and you’ll also find volleyball courts by the lake. There are several athletic fields scattered throughout the campground as well. You can try your luck at the archery range, or play a round of horseshoes. All of the facilities are reserved for campground guests.
