Shale Bluff Campground, near Hardy Lake State Recreation Area, is a fantastic spot for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors with a mix of relaxation and adventure. With a variety of sites for both tents and RVs, you’ll find a comfortable place to set up camp and unwind.

This campground is known for its clean facilities and friendly staff, which many visitors appreciate. The bathrooms are regularly maintained, and there’s plenty of potable water available throughout the area. As one camper noted, “The bathrooms were spotless and regularly cleaned,” making it easy to feel at home while you’re out in nature.

Outdoor activities abound here, with great fishing and hiking trails just waiting to be explored. The nearby lake offers opportunities for kayaking and boating, and there’s even a beach area for swimming. Families will love the various activities available, especially during special events like Raptor Days, where you can witness the release of birds of prey. 

Whether you’re casting a line, hiking the trails, or just soaking up the sun by the water, Shale Bluff Campground provides a welcoming atmosphere for everyone. It’s a solid choice for a weekend getaway or a longer stay, with plenty to keep you entertained and relaxed.

Hardy Lake has a 740 acre lake with great fishing and it allows water skiing. It has hiking trails, beach, picnic area, and 2 campgrounds. Hunting is allowed during normal hunting seasons which include deer and wild turkey hunting. Both campgrounds are open year round with electric available at each site in Shale Bluff Campground.

Shale Bluff Campground — Hardy Lake State Recreation Area

Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Deputy, IN has a lot to offer. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Deputy is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Deputy and user-submitted reviews.

Deputy

The Best Camping Near Deputy, Indiana

This was our first visit. Very nice state park. Beautiful lake. We walked one trail, #3, and that walk was very pleasant. The naturalists hosted a very good talk on raptors, with a guest star, a bald eagle. We will definitely return to kayak and trek the rest of the trails.

First visit

There weren't many people at the campground so it was quiet. There was only one set of open bathrooms in March and they were well kept, clean and functioning. The shower was hot.

Pleasant, quiet, nice amenities

Trails

GREAT camping and right on lake Monroe. In my eyes win win! My only concern was there were no real huge activities or nature sight seeing available, unless I missed it! If so I apologize for the semi negative review. But if camping is up your alley, this is an awesome campground! We DO plan to return

Hardin ridge camping on Lake Monroe

the camping spots are huge and most has trees to hang a hammock. the spots closest to the lake has trails leading down. don’t forget to ask at the main gate if breakfast with the raptors will be happening if you are going to be there on a Saturday morning 

really nice 

I lived at this campground every summer during my childhood. Only having to leave grounds every two weeks. I have so many great memories here. But in the last few years the lake hasn’t been as clean as it used to be and now I worry about drug use from the local people visiting the beach. It might be time to go back and give it another chance.

Where my love of camping grew. 

I grew up going to Hardy Lake so it will always have a place in my heart.  There is plenty to do with a beach, boat ramps, and many hiking trails.  They offer activities on the weekends, especially for kids.  I am giving this 4 stars because the bathrooms needs a serious deep clean.  The sites are spacious with many different types available.  I will stay here again, and enjoyed it. 

Nostalgic! 

Beautiful lake, great sites, friendly camp Hosts. Our electric box on our site blew a fuse and the camp host immediately came over to change it and replaced the plug as well!

Amazing

This is a great State Park offering hiking, swimming, boating, skiing, camping, interpretive naturalist program and the only DNR property in the state of Indiana with a raptor rehabilitation program. The reservoir is 741 acres with boating and fishing plus a huge beach area that is open for swimming. There are four boat launches, fishing piers, fish cleaning stations, archery range, basketball courts, shelter houses, playgrounds, raptor display and more. Hiking trails consist of 5 moderate to easy walks all under 2 miles through Indiana hardwoods, lake shoreline and even a 1700’s cemetery. Camping is in one of two areas; Wooster primitive that has a dozen sites close to the lake and Shale electric consisting of 142 gravel pad sites with 30 amp and 8 premium paved 50 amp sites. Sites are a mix of tree covered and open with most be relatively level providing a picnic table and fire pit. Potable water spigots dispersed throughout the campground and several bathhouse facilities and dump station for your convenience. The campground also has an amphitheater overlooking the lake that offers entertainment and naturalist programs. Convenient location just 15 minutes from the I-65 corridor 38.7766° N, 85.7056° W

Just a really nice place to camp and enjoy the lake.

Kayaking was smooth. We enjoyed this camp. 

Lake

Sites were quite nice, fairly level, &amp; quiet. Bath houses were clean. Fishing was fun! Didn’t catch much, but it was fun.
Beach is nice! Oh!!! And the Lilly pads are everywhere! Gorgeous.
Definitely will be one of my close to home go-to’s.

Peaceful 

  This is a State Recreational Area in Southern Indiana by Scottsburg. It's small. The smallest reservoir the state manages, but it's a nice place to camp &amp; boat. My husband fishes &amp; he said fishing was fair. He fished from shore. Boats are a big part of this lake. There are 4 boat launches on the lake! Lots of people were water skiing, tubing&amp; playing in the water. There's also a beach, which looked clean. There's minimal Canada Geese on shore.

 There's no nature center, but there's a small raptor display. The Raptor Rescue is apparently located nearby.

  There's 2 trail areas. Trail 5 goes to the beach. Connected to that, trail 6 makes a .52M loop. Trail 2, 3,&amp; 4 can be done as individual loops or looped together.

  The Shale Bluff campground is nice, but there were lots of sites in full sun. Watch the incline of some of them as well. The bathrooms&amp; showers were great! Clean &amp; had been updated in the last 10 years. Electricity at all sites. Water at places throughout the campground. 

  The best site is site 160 in the primitive campground, Wooster. If you can get by without electricity, it's right on the water. 163 in primitive is also nice. 

  Shale Bluff Campground has 150 sites with electricity. The best site is 122. Private, shady&amp; you get peeks of the lake between the leaves. Other good sites are 119, 120, 123,&amp; 125. Sites 120&amp; 122 are very nice, but there's 2 trails that take you to the water close to these sites. Other campers use these trails &amp; walk by close, but not actually in your site. If this bothers you, sites 119, 123 &amp; 125 might be better for you. IMO, site 122 was the best! We camped at Hardy Lake State Park in a Travel Trailer.

Small SRA

Stayed here for a weekend when our daughter got married. We had a great time. The campground was full but quite. The spots are far apart. Very clean grounds and amenities. Close to the lake. They have canoes, and Jon boats for rent. 

Wedding weekend

We had a fun weekend at Hardy Lake. We were there for the Raptor Days weekend. We got to see a Red Tail Hawk be released as well as a screech owl. The staff was very nice and knowledgeable! The bathrooms were spotless and regularly cleaned, we didn't use the outhouses bc we were closer to the bath house. Lots of kids, families, and dogs! 

Fun weekend!

We love Hardy! Close to home and an amazing campground. Clean, beautiful and the kids love the water. 

A great getaway

Overall we had a great time. The few “downers” were:
A lot of campers/pop ups in the tent area
A LOT of broken glass on sites
Very uneven sites, hard to be comfortable around the fire.

Good fishing
Great hiking trails

Photos of Shale Bluff Campground — Hardy Lake State Recreation Area

Real photos from real campers