Wooster Campground — Hardy Lake State Recreation Area

DNR will be permanently closing the raptor rehab portion of the Dwight Chamberlain Raptor Center at Hardy Lake, while providing a greater focus on educational programming at Hardy Lake and across the state. DNR is grateful for the Friends of Hardy Lake, and for the staff and volunteers who have assisted with both the rehab and educational programming since the center’s inception. The Dwight Chamberlain Raptor Center at Hardy Lake was established to introduce Hoosiers to live birds of prey and to offer a rehab facility where injured hawks, owls, and other raptors could be brought to be treated and, when possible, released. DNR stopped accepting birds for rehabilitation in spring 2022 due to an avian influenza outbreak. The impact of that outbreak has lessened, but there are still reports of this disease in the state. It is DNR's responsibility to protect the birds in the education program. Because avian flu is highly contagious, closing the rehabilitation side of the center reduces the potential of exposure for these educational ambassadors. With this change, DNR will devote more attention to training and enrichment for the education birds so their work of introducing Hoosiers to the habits and habitat of birds of prey is as effective as possible. Today, the number of licensed rehabilitators is greater than when the facility first opened. DNR’s Division of Fish and Wildlife maintains a list of these licensed rehabilitators that is available at on.IN.gov/wildliferehab.

Due to issues with the fuel system, the Hardy Lake marina will no longer provide fuel for sale. Because there is no other fuel for sale on the lake, watercraft operators must be self-contained and/or bring their own fuel if needed. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Beginning November 10, 2025, Hardy Lake campsites will be closed for approximately 30 days due to a sewer repair project. We apologize for the inconvenience. We will re-open the campground as soon as the project is completed. Please check back for updates.

Found in lakes year-round. Don't drink the water. Shower after you swim. More information.

Effective immediately, due to extremely dry conditions, Scott County has issued a burn ban until further notice. Small campfires within contained fire rings and the use of propane/charcoal grills ARE still allowed at **Hardy Lake** but must be closely watched and fully extinguished when you are finished using them. Have water available nearby to use as needed. Please check back for updates. For the most current burn ban info from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, please view this map.