Ruffing It with Rover on Raccoon Lake, Indiana
- Luie Boone
- Aug 16
- 6 min read
This vacation destination is a part of our third series of blog posts titled Rover Ready.
Luie Boone doesn't get it! How do raccoons get their own lake? That sounds totally unfair, especially because Luie Boone doesn't have his own lake. He supposes that he'll have to take a trip to Raccoon Lake, Indiana, to do some sniffing investigations.
Raccoon Lake is officially known as Cecil M. Harden Lake. Take that raccoons! This lake is a peaceful retreat tucked into the scenic countryside of West-Central Indiana. It spans over 2,000 acres across the Parke and Putnam Counties. It's the perfect place to relax, explore nature, and bring your dog along for the journey.
The main entrance to the lake is formed by the Raccoon State Recreation Area. It offers spacious campsites, fishing docks, hiking trails, and picnic areas. It's a great spot to unwind, play fetch with your pooch's favorite tennis ball, and enjoy the sounds of the forest.
One of the best parts about visiting Raccoon Lake is exploring the nearby towns. The small town of Rockville is located just ten minutes west of the lake. This is a small town with charming sidewalks, local restaurants, and antique stores. It’s a great place for a casual stroll or a patio lunch with your dog. And guess what? Every fall, Rockville hosts the Parke County Covered Bridge Festival! Your best friend is welcome to join you at the festival, which shows off the county's 31 historic covered bridges!
The town of Bridgeton is located south of the lake. It offers a quieter experience with its own historic covered bridge and a unique restored mill. In this town, you can walk along the creek, take photos with your pup near the waterfall, and enjoy the slower pace. The town of Mansfield is another nearby gem. Just like Bridgeton, it has its own covered bridge and a historic mill. This is a peaceful place to explore with your buddy, and it makes a great picnic spot after a morning hike.
If you’re up for a short drive, Greencastle—which is located about thirty minutes southeast—has a few dog-friendly patios, small shops, and walking trails around DePauw University. It has more of a college-town vibe, but still feels laid-back and inviting. Personally, Luie Boone's wondering if that university accepts pets with paws as students, with it's name being so close to DePaw! If they don't, there should be a doggy university somewhere for pooches to get their educations.
Another great town is Crawfordsville. It's located northeast of the lake, and it's a great spot to stock up on supplies. It even has it's own dedicated dog park, where your pup can run free.
Spending time outdoors at Raccoon Lake with your dog is simple, relaxing, and refreshing. Whether you’re hiking, paddling, or watching the sun go down over the water, a trip to Raccoon Lake is something both you and your dog will enjoy.
Paws Rest Here
Luie Boone paw-selected this perfect vacation rental for your stay on Raccoon Lake, Indiana. Check it out below!
Rental Name: Lakefront Log Cabin
This rental has 4 bedrooms with 4 beds and 3 baths.
Photos courtesy of Airbnb
It features the following amenities:
Lakefront log home
Is in a quiet woodsy area
Huge, attached lakefront deck (Perfect for cannonballs!)
Covered porch
Outdoor furniture
Outdoor dining area
BBQ grill
Firepit
Private stairs to a private dock (You can catch fish right from the dock!)
What does Luie Boone think of this rental? He woofed:
For our trip to Raccoon Lake, Indiana, we'd stay at the Lakefront Log Cabin. The cabin has four bedrooms, including one in the loft. If I can get my big tooshie up into the loft, I'm going to be claiming that spot as my own! I'll bring my squeaky, stuffed raccoon Ricky up there with me. Please don't tell anyone, but he's my insider for my undercover operation into Raccoon Lake, because, seriously? How did those raccoons get a lake named after them? Ricky's going to figure it out for us. Anyhow, I heard the cabin is surrounded by woods with barely any neighbors nearby. That means peace, quiet, and lots of room to bark at things that don't need to be barked at. I’ve heard there’s lots of wildlife, too. Squirrels, birds, foxes, and even real raccoons! I think Ricky might get emotional if he meets one of his kind, but it's necessary for our investigation. Raccoon Lake, watch out! Luie Boone and Ricky are coming for you!
Paws Venture Here
Laura Hare Nature Preserve at Turtle Bend
This nature preserve features a pup-friendly hiking trail and offers views of the crystal clear Rocky Fork Creek. The preserve is a mixture of new and old forest. It features a variety of native plant life, including five species of ferns! Luie Boone can't wait to sniff it all.
Raccoon Lake State Recreation Area
At this recreation area, your dog can join you as you explore the interesting surroundings of the lake. There are dog-friendly trails that vary in difficulty, as well as in length from 0.8 miles to 2.1 miles. Due to the wildlife in the area, dog owners are reminded to keep their dogs on their leash.
Bridgeton Covered Bridge
Take your buddy to Indiana's most favored covered bridge, which was first built in 1868. Unfortunately, it was burned by an arsonist in 2005. However, the state rallied together and rebuilt it in 2006!
Billie Creek Village
This is a historical village, where you and your pup can walk across the 70-acre property! It includes unpaved pathways, open fields, original buildings, and original bridges. Dogs are welcome throughout the village, including at the General Store, where you may meet a resident pup or two!
Rockville Lake Park
Rockville Lake Park is a 400-acre hidden gem, where nature, dogs, and their hoomans come together to have fun. Here, you can embark on leisurely walks along the picturesque shoreline!
Fern Cliff Nature Preserve
Fern Cliff Nature Preserve is one of Indiana's hidden gems to explore with your pup. It has beautiful views of cliffs, caves, and homesteads that were once part of a daily practice of life. There is over 57-acres of mesic upland forest, which is dominated by oak, beech, hickory, sugar maple, ash, wild cherry, tuplid, and other trees! Its abandoned sandstone quarry was the source of the greenish glass that made the first Coca-Cola bottles so remarkable. How cool!
DePauw Nature Park
This park is over 520 acres and has a nine-mile, moderately-trafficked loop trail. It features a lake, tons of wildlife, and bird-watching. Luie Boone will do a big, big, big cannonball into the lake to get as many birds in the air as possible. Then, he'll point his snout real high in the air and take a sniff of them all. He has to be able to explain the smells to his kitty brother, Tobi, who loves birds.
Almost Home Restaurant & Swizzle Stick Bar
This spot serves up a variety of items, including fish tacos, chicken club sandwiches, steak salad, and hand-breaded tenderloins. Your pup can receive a bowl of fresh cold water and a plain burger patty. Luie Boone, personally, wouldn't mind some cheese, ketchup, lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles on his. There are tables outside where you can sit with your dog.
Luie Boone's Pet Peeve about
Raccoon Lake, Indiana
There's just so much to love about this vacation destination, but there's one thing that's got Luie Boone's leash in a twist. He woofed:
I am so excited about visiting Raccoon Lake! It's got new smells, car rides, and campfires. My buddy, Ricky the Raccoon, is tagging along for the ride. Ricky is a good friend of mine. He's soft, squeaky, and totally harmless. But, Ricky told me that's not the case with the raccoons living around Raccoon Lake. There are like 50 to 80 raccoons living around that lake! That explains how the lake got it's name. These raccoons are real raccoons. They might not run away when you bark. Instead, they'll stop, stare, and size you up with their glowing eyes and their weird, little hands. They're sneaky, smart, and love to steal food when they get the chance. Nah-uh! No one's stealing my food. Ricky told me that raccoons come out mostly at night. I'll have to grab my doggy, night-vision goggles and be ready, because Ricky might be soft and safe, but his wild, real cousins? They are not to be trusted!
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