U.S. Forest Service · Hoosier National Forest · Heltonville, IN

Hardin Ridge

Hardin Ridge is a 1,200-acre recreational complex located on the shores of Monroe Reservoir in Hooiser National Forest. The complex includes six shady campground loops, two picnic areas with shelters, and two rental cabins. The area offers something for everyone, with activities like camping, picnicking, boat launching, swimming, nature walks, and interpretive programs offered in a forested environment.

Reservable · Recreation.gov210 sitesFrom $100 per night60 ft maxElectric hookupsPets okFires ok

More like this: electric hookups in Indiana · reservable in Indiana · big rigs in Indiana · pets allowed in Indiana · group sites in Indiana

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
A photo of facility HARDIN RIDGE with Picnic Table, Shade, Waterfront, Lean To / ShelterHARDIN RIDGEHARDIN RIDGEHARDIN RIDGE
Photos courtesy of Norma Sink · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Standard with electric70
Standard, no hookups70
Walk-in36
RV with electric14
Cabins with electric2
RV, no hookups1
group shelter nonelectric1
group shelter electric1
Host/management15
Most sites here open on Recreation.gov six months ahead, at 10 a.m. Eastern. Sold out is not final: cancellations come back into the pool, most of them two to three days out. How to catch one

Site guide

Will my RV fit

The longest site here provides 60 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.

Have the trailer VIN? It carries the trailer length.

195 sites in 11 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteLoopTypeEntryFits, ftSurfaceShadePowerWaterfrontPeople / vehiclesFiresPetsAccessibleRating
084BLGLElectricBack-in50GravelFull30 amp8 / 2YesYesPrime
085BLGLElectricBack-in40GravelFull30 amp8 / 2YesYesPrime
086BLGLElectricBack-in50GravelFull30 amp8 / 2YesYesPrime
087BLGLRV electricBack-in35GravelFull30 amp8 / 2YesYesPrime
088BLGLElectricBack-in35GravelFull30 amp8 / 2YesYesPrime
089BLGLElectricBack-in35GravelFull30 amp8 / 2YesYesPrime
090BLGLElectricBack-in60GravelFull30 amp8 / 2YesYesPrime
091BLGLRV electricBack-in35GravelFull30 amp8 / 2YesYesPrime
092BLGLElectricBack-in50GravelFull30 amp8 / 2YesYesPrime
099BLGLElectricBack-in35GravelFull30 amp8 / 2YesYesPrime

Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.

Amenities & rules

HookupsElectric, water
Max vehicle length60 ft
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
Tent padsYes
FeesCabins require $100 cleaning/damage and lost key deposit upon arrival at recreation area. Each campsite fee includes a camping unit (tent,camper) & one vehicle (single sites) and two vehicles (double sites).
AccessibilitySites CA1, CA2, Shelter 1, Shelter 2 are listed accessible

There are 197 camp sites at Hardin Ridge, 36 of which are walk-in tenting only sites. With the exception of Eads and Southern Point loops, the areas have electric hookups at about half the sites (walk-in sites to do not have electric hookups). Centralized water, flush toilets and showers are provided. In addition to the campground loops, there are two picnic areas with numerous tables, along with three shelter houses, two of which overlook the lake. Two of the shelters also have electricity and lights. If the shelters are not reserved, they may be available on a first-come, first-served basis. There is ample space in the fields around the picnic sites for games. The Hardin Ridge Recreation Area has two primitive cabins available for rent. The cabins each offer 6 bunk beds, one of which is a double bed, for a total sleeping capacity of 7 people. The cabins are located on the shores of Lake Monroe, between the boat launch and swimming beach. There is a picnic shelter nearby and a shared toilet between the two cabins.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Hardin Ridge20°30°40°50°60°70°80°January: 3.36 inches of precipitation, 5.1 inches of snowFebruary: 2.75 inches of precipitation, 4.7 inches of snowMarch: 3.90 inches of precipitation, 2.1 inches of snowApril: 5.11 inches of precipitation, 0.1 inches of snowMay: 5.60 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJune: 5.15 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJuly: 4.34 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowAugust: 3.63 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowSeptember: 3.36 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowOctober: 3.51 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowNovember: 3.78 inches of precipitation, 0.2 inches of snowDecember: 3.53 inches of precipitation, 4.2 inches of snowJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 29.1°F averageFebruary: 32.7°F averageMarch: 41.9°F averageApril: 52.8°F averageMay: 62.5°F averageJune: 71.1°F averageJuly: 74.4°F averageAugust: 73.4°F averageSeptember: 66.6°F averageOctober: 54.6°F averageNovember: 43.1°F averageDecember: 33.7°F average0 in2 in4 in6 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Oolitic Purdue Ex Fm, 11 miles from the campground at 652 feet, station USC00126580 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 48 inches a year. The dotted line is average snowfall, about 16 inches a year on the same inches scale.

Getting there

From Bedford, go 7 miles east on US 50. Go north on SR 446 for 12 miles and turn west on Chapel Hill Road and travel 2 miles to the Hardin Ridge Recreation Area. From Bloomington, 46 and 446 intersection, go 14 miles south on SR 446. Turn west on Chapel Hill Road and travel 2 miles to the Hardin Ridge Recreation Area.

Nearest townHeltonville, Indiana
Coordinates39.0103° N, 86.4289° W · Directions ↗

Supplies & services

Dump stationDump station ↗5 mi
Outdoor gearJL Waters ↗12.2 mi
RV sales & serviceEdmundson RV Sales & Service ↗33.2 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Video

Hardin Ridge Campground Review

Trails nearby

Forest Service trail data →
  • 0.1 mi
    Hardin Ridge Trail
    2.1 mi trail · hiking, bike
  • 0.6 mi
    Hardin Ridge Trail 1 Spur 2
    under 0.1 mi trail · hiking, bike
  • 0.7 mi
    Hardin Ridge Trail 1 Spur 1
    under 0.1 mi trail · hiking, bike
  • 1.3 mi
    Ted T Turtle Trail 1
    0.5 mi trail · hiking
  • 1.4 mi
    Ted T Turtle Trail 2
    0.4 mi trail · hiking
  • 1.7 mi
    Shoreline Trail 1 Spur 2
    under 0.1 mi trail · hiking, bike

Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.

Public land it sits in

On Wilderness Atlas →

Charles C. Deam Wilderness begins about 1.9 miles away, and it is the closest of these.

Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.

On the National Register nearby

On Register Atlas →

Natural features

Monroe Reservoir spans 10,750-acres and is the largest lake in Indiana. There is an overlook on Hardin Ridge Road that is spectacular in any season and gives visitors a high vantage point of the lake, colorful marinas across the water and a vast expanse of forest. The entire area is forested with hardwoods and is well-shaded to give visitors the feel of being in the deep woods. In spring, the dogwoods and redbuds bring bright color to the forest and in fall, the foliage offers colors in vibrant hues of yellow, orange and red.

Recreation

A 300-foot swimming beach on Lake Monroe offers a place for children to play and swimmers to sunbathe and enjoy the water. The beach offers a combination of sand and sun, with a shady grass-covered hillside above. There are no lifeguards on duty. No glass containers or pets are allowed in the beach area. The Hardin Ridge Trail is a 2-mile hiking and bicycle trail that runs from the day use area to the various campground loops. This trail roughly follows the main campground road and provides a safe surface for families to hike or bike, as well as a scenic overlook. Fishing is allowed anywhere along the lakeshore within the recreational complex, but several quiet inlets provide secluded fishing holes along the lake's banks. Popular catches include blue gill, striped bass, large mouth bass and crappie. On the Ted T. Turtle interpretive trail, visitors can travel 1.2 miles through a scenic hardwood forest, along a small creek and down to Lake Monroe and back. On the trail, visitors have the opportunity to learn about the history, geology, and wildlife common to southern Indiana. For visitors interested in boating, the lake has a 3-lane launch ramp that is open year-round.

Nearby

Special Places on the Hoosier National Forest Brooks Cabin Buffalo Trace Carnes Mill Site Clover Lick Barrens Hickory Ridge Lookout Tower Initial Point Lick Creek African American Settlement The Jacob Rickenbaugh Homestead Wesley Chapel Gulf

Guidebooks for Indiana

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

  • Five-Star Trails: Louisville and Southern Indiana
    Valerie Askren, 2022
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Rail-Trails Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio
    Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, 2018
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Cincinnati
    Tamara York, 2021
    Find at Bookshop.org

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Hardin Ridge?

Sites at Hardin Ridge are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

How much does it cost to camp at Hardin Ridge?

Cabins require $100 cleaning/damage and lost key deposit upon arrival at recreation area. Each campsite fee includes a camping unit (tent,camper) & one vehicle (single sites) and two vehicles (double sites).

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Hardin Ridge?

Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.

Source: Recreation.gov

How many sites does Hardin Ridge have?

210 sites, including 70 standard sites with power, 70 standard sites without power, 36 walk-in sites, and 14 RV sites with electric.

Source: Recreation.gov

Will my RV fit at Hardin Ridge?

The longest site here provides 60 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.

Source: Will my RV fit

Does Hardin Ridge have hookups?

Yes, electric and water hookups at some sites.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are there showers or a dump station at Hardin Ridge?

Centralized water, flush toilets and showers are provided.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are pets allowed at Hardin Ridge?

Yes, pets are allowed at Hardin Ridge. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Hardin Ridge?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are there accessible sites at Hardin Ridge?

Sites CA1, CA2, Shelter 1, and Shelter 2 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

What is there to do at Hardin Ridge?

A 300-foot swimming beach on Lake Monroe offers a place for children to play and swimmers to sunbathe and enjoy the water. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to Hardin Ridge?

Heltonville, Indiana. Special Places on the Hoosier National Forest Brooks Cabin Buffalo Trace Carnes Mill Site Clover Lick Barrens Hickory Ridge Lookout Tower Initial Point Lick Creek African American Settlement The Jacob Rickenbaugh Homestead Wesley Chapel Gulf

Source: Getting there