Monroe Lake
Notice: SEPTEMBER 2026 UPDATE — details
- Status
- Open (per official listing)
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Not stated — check with park
- Camping
- 320 campsitesAlso lodge or inn rooms
- Official site
- in.gov812-837-9546
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 3
Closure SEPTEMBER 2026 UPDATEPaynetown electric sites 171 and 172 are closed indefinitely.
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 BLACK VULTURESBirds may damage your vehicle. Learn how.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Overview
Monroe Lake is a reservoir in Monroe County, about 7 miles southeast of Bloomington.
Things to do include ice fishing, winter sports, hunting in season, canoeing and kayaking, and boating. Water access includes a swimming beach, a boat ramp, a fishing pier, and boat or kayak rentals. Overnight options include 320 campsites across 2 camping areas, with tent sites. Roofed lodging includes lodge rooms.
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 | 226 | Electric | — |
| Non-electric | 94 | — |
Camping details from the park
- Electric / 226 sites
- Non-electric / 94 sites
- Camp Store (Seasonal)
- Dumping Station
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Cabins and lodging
Marinas and Boat Rentals Fourwinds Lakeside Inn & Marina Lake Monroe Boat Rental Lake Monroe Sailing Association LT Paddle Sports Two Herons Marina
Things to do
BoatingFishingIce fishingHikingHuntingCanoeing and kayakingPicnickingSwimmingWinter sportsCamping
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| BlueBird Trail: 1.25 miles, loop | 1.25 mi | Moderate | — |
| Tree Trek Trail: 0.5 miles, loop | 0.5 mi | Easy | — |
| Whitetail Trail: 1 mile, out-and-back | 1 mi | Moderate | — |
| Turkey Trot Trail: 1.75 miles, out-and-back | 1.75 mi | Moderate | — |
| Big Oak Trail and Evergreen Loop: 1.5 miles, loop | 1.5 mi | Moderate | — |
| Homestead Loop Trail: 1.8 miles, loop | 1.8 mi | Moderate | — |
| Quarry Extension Trail: 0.4 miles, out-and-back | 0.4 mi | Easy | — |
Trail descriptions from the park
For SRA locations, view the property map under the Maps tab.
For Trail Routes, view the Trails Map under the Maps tab.
Paynetown State Recreation Area
- BlueBird Trail: 1.25 miles, loop, moderate
- Tree Trek Trail: 0.5 miles, loop, easy
- Whitetail Trail: 1 mile, out-and-back, moderate
Allens Creek State Recreation Area
- Turkey Trot Trail: 1.75 miles, out-and-back, moderate
Fairfax State Recreation Area
- Big Oak Trail and Evergreen Loop: 1.5 miles, loop, moderate
- Homestead Loop Trail: 1.8 miles, loop, moderate
- Quarry Extension Trail: 0.4 miles, out-and-back, easy
Swimming
Swimming / 2 Beaches (Policy). Mobility mats for easy beach access are available at Paynetown & Fairfax SRAs.
Fishing
Fishing / Ice Fishing
Fishing Piers
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Picnic areas
- Playground
Water
- Swimming beach
- Boat ramp
- Marina or boat slips
- Boat, canoe or kayak rentals
- Fishing pier
Camping
- Tent camping
Lodging
- Lodge or inn rooms
✓ 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 / 2 Beaches (Policy). Mobility mats for easy beach access are available at Paynetown & Fairfax SRAs.
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 4850 S. State Road 446
Bloomington, IN 47401 - Nearest town
- Bloomington — about 7 mi southeast (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 39.0900, -86.4285
- Phone
- 812-837-9546
Entrances
- Monroe Lake Paynetown SRA
- Monroe Lake Allen's Creek SRA
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
Address: 4850 S. State Road 446 Bloomington, IN 47401
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)
“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