Hardy Lake
- Status
- Open (per official listing)
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Not stated — check with park
- Camping
- 157 campsites
- Official site
- in.gov812-794-3800
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 4
Partial closure LOW WATER / BOAT RAMP UPDATE 8-13-26Due to the continued draw down of Hardy Lake by the Water Utility, both Carmel and Sunnyside boat ramps are now closed. The main boat ramp remains… (more)
Due to the continued draw down of Hardy Lake by the Water Utility, both Carmel and Sunnyside boat ramps are now closed. The main boat ramp remains open for now. Please check back here or on Facebook for updates.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Partial closure BOAT RAMPSHardy Lake boat ramps may be closed due to water levels. Please call the park office for the most recent status at 812-794-3800.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Water quality BLUE-GREEN ALGAEFound in lakes year round. Don't drink the water. Shower after you swim. More information.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Alert MARINA FUELINGDue 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,… (more)
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.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Overview
In Scott County, about 8 miles northeast of Scottsburg, Hardy Lake covers about 2,502 acres.
Popular activities here are ice fishing, winter sports, archery, canoeing and kayaking, and hunting in season. Water access includes a swimming beach, a boat ramp, and a fishing pier. Camping is available: 157 campsites across 2 camping areas, including tent sites and primitive or hike-in sites.
Fees and passes
Per vehicle daily gate fee: $7 Indiana plates / $15 out-of-state at state parks and state-managed lakes; exceptions Indiana Dunes ($7/$20), Prophetstown ($8/$16), Falls of the Ohio Interpretive Center ($9 adult/$7 child); $2 per person age 5+ on foot, bicycle or horseback.
Statewide fee rule from Indiana's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.
Indiana park passes
- Annual Entrance Pass — $50. Noncommercial vehicle, driver and passengers at DNR properties that charge a gate fee Details
- Non-resident Annual Entrance Pass — $120. Non-Indiana resident noncommercial vehicles Details
- Golden Hoosier Passport — $25. Indiana residents 65+ or eligible for SS disability; vehicle, driver and passengers Details
- Disabled Hoosier Veteran Pass — $25. Persons eligible for a Disabled Hoosier Veteran plate Details
- SSDI Pass — $25. Indiana residents receiving or eligible for SSDI Details
From the Indiana state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- ReserveAmerica (Indiana State Parks) for camping, cabins, shelters, group camps; separate inn reservations
- Phone
- 1-866-622-6746 (camping, cabins, shelters, group camps); 1-877-563-4371 (inns and Brown County cabins)
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric - Shale Bluff | 149 | Electric | — |
| Primitive - Wooster | 8 | — |
Camping details from the park
- Electric / 149 sites - Shale Bluff
- Primitive / 8 sites - Wooster
- Dumping Station
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
ArcheryBoatingCanoeing and kayakingFishingIce fishingHikingHuntingPicnickingSwimmingWinter sportsCamping
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cemetery Trail | 0.77 mi | Easy | This trail takes you through an oak-hickory climax forest. The McClain Cemetery is a major point of interest on this trail. This family cemetery has headstones dating to the 1700s. |
| Island Trail | 1.91 mi | Easy | This trail branches off of either the Cemetery Loop or the Outward Bound Loop. Points of interest include beaver cuttings along the shoreline, wildlife food plots, and several areas along the island that overlook the lake. |
| Honeysuckle Trail | 0.64 mi | Moderate | This trail connects Shale Bluff campground with the beach. Passing through different stages of succession, you will be able to see a managed pine grove, cedar thickets, and tulip poplar trees, as well as a mature forest. Through one section, due to tornado damage, you will even be able to see nature in the act of repairing herself. |
| Lakeside Trail | 0.52 mi | Moderate | This loop presents a beautiful view of Hardy Lake. Several bird nesting structures are located along this trail. This trail will also pass by a colony of Allegheny (or mound-building) ants that are always hard at work. This is also a great trail to hike at night to see fireflies and foxfire, and hear an owl hooting. |
Trail descriptions from the park
Outward Bound (2.05 miles) MODERATE—This trail takes you into a typical stand of Indiana hardwood trees. You will see both an oak-hickory and a beech-maple climax forest. This trail will also allow you to view some of the beautiful backwaters of Hardy Lake.
Cemetery Trail (.77 mile) EASY—This trail takes you through an oak-hickory climax forest. The McClain Cemetery is a major point of interest on this trail. This family cemetery has headstones dating to the 1700s.
Island Trail (1.91 miles) EASY—This trail branches off of either the Cemetery Loop or the Outward Bound Loop. Points of interest include beaver cuttings along the shoreline, wildlife food plots, and several areas along the island that overlook the lake.
Honeysuckle Trail (.64 mile) MODERATE—This trail connects Shale Bluff campground with the beach. Passing through different stages of succession, you will be able to see a managed pine grove, cedar thickets, and tulip poplar trees, as well as a mature forest. Through one section, due to tornado damage, you will even be able to see nature in the act of repairing herself.
Lakeside Trail (.52 miles) MODERATE—This loop presents a beautiful view of Hardy Lake. Several bird nesting structures are located along this trail. This trail will also pass by a colony of Allegheny (or mound-building) ants that are always hard at work. This is also a great trail to hike at night to see fireflies and foxfire, and hear an owl hooting.
Swimming
Swimming / Beach (Policy). Mobility mats for easy beach access are available.
Boating and paddling
Boating / 4 Launch Ramps - Wooster Ramp is available for kayak and canoe launch only.
Fishing
Fishing / Ice Fishing
Fishing Pier
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Picnic areas
- Playground
Water
- Swimming beach
- Boat ramp
- Fishing pier
Camping
- Tent camping
- Primitive or backcountry camping
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
Swimming / Beach (Policy). Mobility mats for easy beach access are available.
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 4171 E. Harrod Road
Scottsburg, IN 47170 - Nearest town
- Scottsburg — about 8 mi northeast (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 38.7766, -85.7055
- Phone
- 812-794-3800
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
Mapping Address: 5620 N. Hardy Lake Road Scottsburg, IN 47170
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Indiana State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- Indiana State Parks 'Find A Park' property list + DNR ArcGIS site layers (coordinates)
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology