Cecil M. Harden Lake, also known as Raccoon Lake, is a 2,060-acre reservoir in Parke County, Indiana, created in 1960 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as part of a flood control project on Big Raccoon Creek. The lake spans approximately 11 miles in length with an average depth of 24 feet, reaching depths up to 70 feet near the dam.

**Access Points and Facilities** Paddlers can access the lake from five boat ramps located around the property. The main launch within Raccoon State Recreation Area is open year-round, while four additional seasonal ramps—Hollandsburg, Mansfield, Portland Mills, and Walker—provide access around the lake's perimeter. Portland Mills offers a non-motorized boat launch specifically designated for canoes and kayaks. Raccoon Lake Boat Rental operates within the park, offering kayak, canoe, and paddleboard rentals for those without their own equipment.

**Paddling Character** The reservoir features a relatively calm paddling environment suitable for recreational boating. The upper sections near Big Raccoon Creek and its tributaries like Mill Creek and Troutmans Branch offer more intimate waterways lined with native forest and large rock outcrops. The lake operates at two pool levels—a summer pool at 662 feet above sea level and a winter pool at 640 feet—which can affect access and shoreline conditions seasonally.

**Scenery and Wildlife** Paddlers can enjoy views of wooded shorelines, sandstone cliffs, and diverse habitat that attracts various wildlife. The property is recognized as a birding destination, offering excellent waterfowl and wildlife watching opportunities. The surrounding Raccoon State Recreation Area features approximately 4,065 acres of land with oak-hickory forests, prairie restorations, and scenic vistas.

**Special Considerations** An idle zone is designated in certain areas of the lake. The property is located minutes from the Parke County Covered Bridge Festival area, with three historic covered bridges—Mansfield, Conley's Ford, and Bridgeton—accessible via Big Raccoon Creek downstream from the dam.