Hardy Lake

Open — The campground is currently operating first-come, first-served following completion of a sewer repair project that closed campsites from November 10 through early December 2025.

About

Hardy Lake State Recreation Area is Indiana's only state reservoir not created for flood control, resulting in stable water levels year-round that positively affect the shoreline appearance, fishing quality, and wildlife habitat. The 2,178-acre property features a 741-acre lake surrounded by slate and shale bluffs with opportunities for hiking, swimming, boating, waterskiing, and camping. The campground system includes two distinct camping areas: Shale Bluff Campground with 149 electric sites and Wooster Primitive Campground with 11 sites primarily serving fishermen and primitive campers. Both campgrounds provide access to the lake and surrounding trails. The property features over 5 miles of hiking trails ranging from easy to moderate difficulty, passing through oak-hickory and beech-maple forests, historic cemeteries, and scenic lake overlooks. Hardy Lake is home to the Dwight Chamberlain Raptor Center, which houses permanently injured birds of prey and provides educational programming throughout Indiana. The property offers four boat launch ramps, a swimming beach with mobility mats for accessibility, fishing piers, picnic areas with shelterhouses, and a dump station. Popular water activities include fishing, waterskiing, and boating on the stable-level lake.

Directions

Located 4 miles east of Austin, Indiana, and approximately 35 miles north of Louisville, Kentucky. The main entrance is at 4171 E. Harrod Road, Scottsburg, IN 47170.

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