Raccoon SRA (Cecil M. Harden Lake)

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Raccoon SRA (Cecil M. Harden Lake)

Official Raccoon State Recreation Area (SRA) - Cecil M. Harden Lake) age. Commenting policy: on.IN.gov/dnrsocial. Cecil M.

Native forest and large rock outcrops line the upper part of Big Raccoon Creek. Harden Lake resulted from the damming of the creek for flood control. The lake also provides recreation, wildlife management and economic benefits. A variety of fish, flora and fauna can be viewed at the property. Nearby Historic Mansfield Roller Mill is a preserved, working example of industrialization in Indiana at t

he turn of the 20th century. This 1880s flour mill uses machinery from that time to show visitors how flour and cornmeal were processed from wheat and corn. It is an almost complete and unchanged example of flour mills from this time period.

11/06/2025

We would like to thank everyone involved in making our Un-BOO-lievable Halloween Camping Weekend on October 25th such a success! We had thousands of folks come out and enjoy the trick or treating, egg hunt, hayride and more! A big thank you to our donors listed below who helped make this event a great experience for our guests. Mark your calendars for October 24th 2025 for our next Halloween weekend!
For more information, check online at on.IN.gov/raccoonsra
Thanks to our donors: Ski's RV and Truck Sales, Parke County Community Foundation, Reeder Trausch Marine, 1880 Mustard Seed, Raccoon Lake Boat Rental, Greencastle McDonalds, Rockville Burger King, Daland Corp (Pizza Hut), Rockville ACE Hardware.

10/28/2025

Stay up-to-date with the latest happenings at Indiana State Parks by signing up for our monthly newsletter!

Be in the know about upcoming events, programs, natural resource management highlights and property updates.

Sign up at: on.IN.gov/dnr-newsletters

10/20/2025

Saturday October 25th marks our annual Un-BOO-lievable Halloween Happenings at Raccoon SRA. Join us for a day of festivities starting at 10am at the campstore for the egg hunt, with trick or treating happening 5pm-7pm. Wrap up the night with a $2 hay ride through the camoground. For more information, go to our web page at on.IN.gov/raccoonsra.

10/14/2025

With the large amount of visitors to our rural county this week for the Parke County Covered Bridge Festival can be a bit overwhelming. If you need a quiet place in nature to get away from the bustle, why not visit one of Raccoon SRA's 6 hiking trails? Forested hills, sandstone canyons, and sweeping views of Cecil M Harden lake can all be found on our trails. Find our trail map at on.IN.gov/raccoonsra

10/07/2025

Planning on visiting the Parke County Covered Bridge Festival October 10th - 19th 2025? Make sure to stop by the Historic Mansfield Roller Mill 9:30am-4:30pm in Mansfield Village to learn about the amazing story it has to tell.
Find out more at on.IN.gov/mansfield-mill.

10/01/2025

This weekend marks our final regular program weekend of 2025. Join one of our fun programs such as an astronomy talk Friday night, or our nature walk and mill tour on Saturday. For a complete list of events, check out our web page at on.IN.gov/raccoonsra.

09/30/2025

Join the Indiana State Trapper's Association at Raccoon State Recreation Area November 1st and 2nd for their Trapper's Education Course. Register for this hands on two day course at https://ow.ly/tOz750X4g3m

Come learn the how to's of this outdoor skill from experienced trappers. For more information about Raccoon SRA go to on.IN.gov/raccoonsra

09/22/2025

Really love creepy crawlies, or are you scared of them? Either way, come on out to the park this weekend for our creepy crawly walk on Friday 9/26 at 8pm where we will prowl down the centennial trail and look for and learn about the insects, bugs and spiders that come out in the park at night! We also have other programs like our nature walk and mill tour if insect and spiders don't not interest you! Check on our website at on.IN.gov/raccoonsra for program details, park maps and park information.
To make a campsite reservation or to check availability go to camp.IN.gov.

09/15/2025

We hope everyone has had a fun summer this year! This weekend at Raccoon SRA we are holding a self guided program in the park. pick up a sheet from either the front gate or campground gate. Return to the front gate before leaving Sunday for a small prize!
For more information about the park, our events and to find maps and more go to on.IN.gov/raccoonsra.
To make a reservation or to see availability go to camp.IN.gov.

09/11/2025

ARCHAEOLOGY MONTH - CEMETERIES: Payne’s Cemetery at Raccoon SRA (Cecil M. Harden Lake).

Payne’s cemetery, an early settler’s cemetery, is part of Raccoon SRA’s cultural history. You can see this cemetery by following Trail 1 around the south shore of the peninsula to the Payne shelter to the 1800s cemetery.

on.IN.gov/raccoonsra

Photo courtesy Drew Sutton

09/08/2025

Plan a fun trip to Raccoon SRA this weekend! We have several fun programs in the park on Saturday, September 13th. Join us at the camp store for a nature walk at 10am, meet our turtle ambassador also at the camp store at 1:30pm. Come see the inside of the historic Mansfield Roller Mill at 3pm in the village of Mansfield about 10 minutes south of US 36 on SR 59.
For more program details, property maps, property rules and more, go to on.IN.gov/raccoonsra.
To make a reservation or to check availability, go to camp.IN.gov.

09/02/2025

Join us this weekend September 6-7, 11am-5pm for our annual Beans and Cornbread Dinner. The mill will be open both days for visitors. Enjoy the nice quiet atmosphere in the village of Mansfield and take a look inside the 145-year-old mill and learn about what made this mill so special it was preserved.
For more information, go to on.IN.gov/raccoonsra.

Address

1588 S Raccoon Parkway
Rockville, IN
47872

Telephone

(765) 344-1412

Website

https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/cecil-m-harden-lake-raccoon-sra/

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