Turkey Run State Park
Turkey Run State Park, Indiana's second state park, is in Parke County in the west-central part of the state along State Road 47, 2 miles (3.2 km) east of U.S. 41. It is in Penn Township. Running it is Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
A state park inside Penn Township
Winters are cold
January nights drop to 19°, with about 13" of snow a year. When to go ↓
You can stay in Penn Township
Turkey Run State Park is inside Penn Township, which has 6 places to stay, so you won’t need a base farther out. Where to stay ↓
A day trip from Indianapolis
Indianapolis is about 57 miles east (straight-line). Where to stay ↓
Established in 1916
Turkey Run State Park dates from 1916 and is run by Indiana Department of Natural Resources. About ↓
Best months: Apr, May, Jun, Sep and Oct
April, May, June, September and October are the mild months, with highs of 64–83°. When to go ↓
Written from NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Overture places to stay, Census town figures, Wikidata and Wikipedia.
How the seasons run
Each month’s highs and lows around Turkey Run are below.
Turkey Run State Park
Turkey Run State Park, Indiana's second state park, is in Parke County in the west-central part of the state along State Road 47, 2 miles (3.2 km) east of U.S. 41.
The first parcel of land was purchased for $40,200 in 1916, when Indiana's state park system was established during the state's centennial anniversary of its statehood. The origin of the name "Turkey Run" is unknown, but the most accepted theory is that wild turkeys would congregate for warmth in the gorges (or "runs"), where early settlers could easily trap and hunt them.
- Type
- State park
- Established
- 1916
- Area
- 2,382 acres
- Run by
- Indiana Department of Natural Resources
- Listed
- National Register of Historic Places (2019)
- Wikipedia readers
- 12K a year
Where to base yourself for Turkey Run State Park
The first towns with rooms are Penn Township (6) and Adams Township (8).
Compare 8 towns
| Town | From Turkey Run | Drive | Places to stay | People | Typical home | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penn Township | in town | — | 6 1 inn or B&B · 1 lodge or cabins · 4 campgrounds | 764 | $137K | — |
| Adams Township | 10 mi south | 15 min | 8 1 hotel · 3 motels · 3 inns & B&Bs · 1 campground | 5,235 | $148K | — |
| Rockville | 8 mi south | 10 min | 6 2 motels · 3 inns & B&Bs · 1 campground | 2,597 | $100K | — |
| Union Township 45% vacation homes | 13 mi southeast | 20 min | 7 2 lodges & cabins · 5 campgrounds | 1,532 | $228K | — |
| Union Township | 20 mi northeast | 30 min | 16 8 hotels · 2 motels · 1 inn or B&B · 1 lodge or cabins · 3 campgrounds · 1 RV park | 25,751 | $174K | — |
| Crawfordsville | 20 mi northeast | 30 min | 13 8 hotels · 2 motels · 1 lodge or cabins · 1 campground · 1 RV park | 16,699 | $134K | B |
| Millcreek Township | 9 mi north | 15 min | 2 2 campgrounds | 1,422 | $115K | — |
| Marshall | 3 mi southeast | 5 min | 1 1 inn or B&B | 276 | $85K | — |
Getting there
Nearest airports with airline service
What else is near Turkey Run
These well-known places are within 61 miles.
Big draw56 mi Stadium & arenaLucas Oil Stadium
56 mi Stadium & arenaGainbridge Fieldhouse
61 mi Stadium & arenaMemorial Stadium
41 mi Stadium & arenaRoss–Ade Stadium
56 mi LandmarkAmerican Football House
56 mi Stadium & arenaGies Memorial Stadium
55 mi Stadium & arenaHinkle Fieldhouse
56 mi LandmarkSoldiers' and Sailors' MonumentPhoto credits
Lucas Oil Stadium: Josh Hallett from Winter Haven, FL, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Gainbridge Fieldhouse: Durin at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Memorial Stadium: Durin at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Ross–Ade Stadium: Tstuddud at English Wikipedia, Public domain · American Football House: BanjoZebra, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Gies Memorial Stadium: T.J. Blakeman, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Hinkle Fieldhouse: Peetlesnumber1, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument: alexeatswhales, CC BY 2.0
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Turkey Run in questions
Is Turkey Run State Park in Penn Township?
Yes. It’s inside Penn Township, IN.
When is the best time to visit Turkey Run State Park?
April, May, June, September and October, with highs of 64–83°.
How far is Turkey Run State Park from Indianapolis?
About 57 miles east of Indianapolis, as the crow flies.
What is the closest airport to Turkey Run State Park?
Purdue University (LAF), about 39 miles away. The nearest big hub is Indianapolis (IND), about 50 miles.
Where should I stay near Turkey Run State Park?
Penn Township (in town, 6 places to stay), Adams Township (10 mi, 8 places to stay) and Rockville (8 mi, 6 places to stay).
Penn Township has the answers
Start the conversation in Penn Township’s Town Square.
Sources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · NOAA climate normals · U.S. Census.