## Overview

 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.
## 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. A 75 vehicle/trailer parking area is also available as well as a fully accessible loading dock provided at the boat ramp. 
## Facilities

 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. 
## 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. 
## Nearby Attractions

 [Special Places on the Hoosier National Forest ][1] [Brooks Cabin][2]\_\_\_\_ [Buffalo Trace][3]\_\_\_\_ [Carnes Mill Site][4]\_\_\_\_ [Clover Lick Barrens][5]\_\_\_\_ [Hickory Ridge Lookout Tower][6]\_\_\_\_ [Initial Point][7]\_\_\_\_ [Lick Creek African American Settlement][8]\_\_\_\_ [The Jacob Rickenbaugh Homestead][9]\_\_\_\_ [Wesley Chapel Gulf][10]\_\_ 

[1]: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/wohgcz7vxwcg1ncuw52e6/Special-Places-on-the-Hoosier-NF-stelprdb5211657.pdf?rlkey=086bxvccc64i056wipd5uki99&amp;dl=0
[2]: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/gf99lmyq50hz0sqrlvvvq/Brooks-Cabin-stelprdb5287067.pdf?rlkey=tlyj0bv5seyn9oxgxfm2zaiil&amp;dl=0
[3]: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/4c1fhh0ptzt4vx1k7dajc/Buffalo-Trace-stelprdb5292152.pdf?rlkey=voobirxit0mpn3cpx8lk5t65x&amp;dl=0
[4]: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/2zxhldsfqm5rc4kgl7qdd/Carnes-Mill-Site.pdf?rlkey=1f7pflrvxewzwwkdhznk176zl&amp;dl=0
[5]: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/xrn2xdcyz8r9wr3snzju4/Clover-Lick-Barrens-stelprdb5287076.pdf?rlkey=mr5mabo1asdqivvlye5fqiv11&amp;dl=0
[6]: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/lopp2uve13zomybeak7qp/Hickory-Ridge-Lookout-Tower-stelprdb5246537.pdf?rlkey=p8l0d9jeg2xo3ky4vhciby9ju&amp;dl=0
[7]: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/o2jmg66oyeqmjqjfmjxsu/Initial-Point-stelprdb5292159.pdf?rlkey=3t1ds7tn0gzoo0iqrolwtecmf&amp;dl=0
[8]: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/04zzmwo1t414i1jffisxz/Lick-Creek-African-American-Settlement-stelprdb5303625.pdf?rlkey=9bc0zz8on63kdv0wagzj9yqkk&amp;dl=0
[9]: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/8nyb20lo8xldtoa3bdw3x/The-Jacob-Rickenbaugh-Homestead-stelprdb5308118.pdf?rlkey=mvp5mnw6szxconflo9ww12a7r&amp;dl=0
[10]: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/t6c2720el15gdyk43yynz/Wesley-Chapel-Gulf-fsbdev3_017360.pdf?rlkey=443uakcfswsr07dooo3pikvhy&amp;dl=0

Hardin Ridge

The campsite was small so if you have a large tent be prepared for it to take up most of your site.  The area was beautiful and had ample trees.  We would have been better off splitting into two camp sites due to the size (married couple and two friends).  It was a challenge to get both tents and a shelter set up on the site with the two cars as well. 

  

I was able to also set up my hammock in the near by trees. Do explore the area as lots to do and see.  The lake naturally:) but they also have a cool fire tower and cabin in the area.

Hoosier National Forest (Hardin Ridge)

This campground is nestled on a ridge above Indiana's Lake Monroe. The wooded sites include a fire-ring, a pole for your lantern and generous flat graveled areas to pitch your tent, as well as a couple of picnic tables per site. There are pleanty of RV sites with electric hookup available as well. Each area of the campground has a knowlegeable courteous full time host, and ice is available at the main gate. Foraging for wood is allowed which is a definite bonus in this era of emerald ash-borer awareness and wood import restrictions. The plentiful raccoons seem almost tame, yet keep a safe distance from campers if you allow them to. There is a small beach to beat the summer heat, and nearby showerhouses (even in the non-electric sites) are kept clean with adequately warm water. There is a small interpretive hike with approximately 300 feet of elevation change situated near the ampitheater that can be completed in a couple of hours.

Hospitable Woods Experience

really good time camping in a pop up. site was really big with lots of shade. the fire pits are sinked into the ground which is not my favorite. 

quiet and clean

The sites are decent sized and spaced apart for your privacy. The bathrooms and showers are especially clean. Being part of the Hoosier National Forest was pretty cool. We of course hiked and spent some time at the beach. Which the beach closed at 8pm, and they were very strict about that.

So clean and very friendly 

This campsite was wonderful! It was well kept, quiet, and had everything! It is part of Hoosier National so there are unlimited trails, Monroe Lake, a beach and all kinds of playgrounds.

Beautiful secluded forest getaway

tgere are some really great tent sites at this campground. We always go to the walk in sites which are incredibly secluded and overlook down a ridge line. Close to lake Monroe with plenty to do. Could use some more trashcans and bathroom facilities.

Private, immersed in nature

Campsites are all wooded and private.  A beautiful area any time of year.  Hosts are friendly and frequently make the rounds.  This is our go to area.  We like Bluegill loop for the playground and pond but white oak has a pond too.  Lake Monroe access is a short drive or hike away.  We camp in a pop up but have tent camped as well.  For tent camping, check out the walk in sites, they're beautiful and very secluded.  You can't go wrong with any of the sites at Hardin Ridge.

Gorgeous, wooded area

Love this place, very secluded spots and heavy tree cover. Watch out for ticks. We really had a gorgeous spot my only complaint is the 3rd night we were there a park staffer came by and complained the tent was partially off the gravel despite him having been by every day prior and even stopped to chat with us.

Big secluded spots.

Took the family on a weekend camping trip to Hardin ridge and had a great time!! The only spots you can reserve are non electric which is what we got and still had a nice time in our pop up camper..The camp ground does have electric sites but it’s first come first serve!!! The camp ground has nice hiking trails and it’s own boat ramp with a dock. We went fishing down by the ramp and caught a mess of bluegill which we fried up back at the campsite!!! Great weekend 

Nice campground in the woods

My husband grew up in this area and we live 15 minutes from Hardin Ridge and we never realized this was here! Our campsite was in Pine Grove, right next to a brand new bath house. The site was super shady and quiet. The sites are very well-spaced. Lake Monroe is a short hike, and this side of the lake is less busy and more scenic. Bringing the kayaks next time! 

Pleasant surprise! 

We came here for the first time in April and we were pleasantly surprised! The sites are incredibly large. The bathrooms were clean with nice showers. 

The campground reminded us of places that we like to go to out west. This place is a must stop!!!

Huge Sites for Central Indiana

First, I would like to correct someone's prior review. Electric and non electric sites are both reservable and walk up. Almost half and half. The hike in sites are all walk up. As you look at their maps, if making a reservation, each site on the left of the road are NOT reservable. All sites on the right AREvreservable. However, if you want to reserve a site, I highly suggest you do it very early in the season, esp. if you are including a weekend. Depending on how busy check in is at the time you show up without a reservation (again, only for non reservable sites), they sometimes will let you drive around and pick out a site from the left when entering loop, then come back to gate and pay. You will see reserved signs on every reservable site whether anyone is actually in them that night or not. It saves a lot of trouble for all concerned by not letting you pick a site you THINK you can have by not understanding their system. On to the review:
I have camped at Hardin Ridge since the 70s. I have tent camped in regular primitive, hike-in, and in electic with a camper. All the sites are large and well-shaded with tables and fire pits/grates. The grounds are kept very clean, as well as the shower rooms, bathrooms, and vault toilets. There are many electric, some electric/water, and a few full hook up. Water spigots are heavily spread throughout each loop. Also, there are the RV water spigots avail along the lanes in some of the loops in case you want to fill tanks before parking at site without it's own water. The camp hosts have always been great to me and since I usually camp alone, someone checks on me each day. That includes when I pick the most secluded hike in spot. They have never been intrusive. They do expect every rule to be followed at all times and will tell you to pack up and leave if you are an asshole about noise, dogs, etc. There are at least one pair, some two, camphost pairs in each loop. While the campground is not a rest home by any means, it is not a party place such as Allens Creek or Paynetown campgrounds that share the same lake (Monroe). Some of the loops do not allow generators and or have restricted hours of usage. The is a small beach, boat launch, multiple small playgrounds, and an ampitheater, but there is no campstore. It is about 11 miles to the nearest small baitshop/store/gas pump. There is ice and wood for sale at the gate.

My favorite campground!

We concluded our 2021 season at Hardin Ridge. It was absolutely beautiful. Facilities were extremely clean and campsite was very well maintained.

Gorgeous views

Beautiful campground, with great sites located on the forest ridge lines. 

Awesome Spot 

Beautiful spacious sites. Spread out with plenty of room between sites. Stayed in Southern Point loop.  Clean facilities. Up on a ridge with beautiful views. First come sites were open and plentiful on a weekend at the end of August.  