Hardin Ridge
Hoosier National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: Bangor, IN, IN
Price: From $24 per night
Price range: $24–$64 per night
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (364 reviews)
Season: Year-round
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.A 300-foot swimming beach on Lake Monroe offers a place for children to play and swimmers to s
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): weak signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 0%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets, Showers, Electric Hookups, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/hardin-ridge to be notified when sites open up.
Hardin Ridge is a well-maintained 1,200-acre recreation complex on Monroe Reservoir in Hoosier National Forest with 195 sites, offering electric hookups on select sites, clean facilities, and friendly camp hosts. Google reviewers (4.7/5 stars) praise the quiet atmosphere, level gravel sites, and maintained grounds.
Wildlife alert: Bald Eagle, Osprey, Merlin, Coyote, and Gray Ratsnake documented within 8km
Insider tips for Hardin Ridge: Pine loop is a favorite among campers Sites 51, 52, 53 offer quieter, more primitive camping experiences Book early—this is a federal campground with high demand
Skip Hardin Ridge if: You need water or sewer hookups—only electric available on select sites. You require hookups at your site—most sites lack them. You book without advance reservations—early booking is essential.
Best time to visit Hardin Ridge: Year-round — Campground operates year-round per verified data, though seasonal operations noted as a known issue.
Nearby campgrounds: Blackwell Campground (Heltonville, IN), Hickory Ridge Campground (Norman, IN), Shirley Creek Campground (French Lick, IN), Youngs Creek Campground (Paoli, IN).
Cell Phone Coverage at Hardin Ridge
Cell signal at Hardin Ridge (Bangor, IN): weak overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: Verizon.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
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.A 300-foot swimming beach on Lake Monroe offers a place for children to play and swimmers to sunbathe and enjoy the water.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryPine loop is a favorite among campers
Sites 51, 52, 53 offer quieter, more primitive camping experiences
Book early
this is a federal campground with high demand
Campground operates year-round per verified data, though seasonal operations noted as a known issue
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: Verizon.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Bedford, go 7 miles east on US 50. Go north on SR 446 for 12 miles and turn west on Chapel Hill Road and travel 2 miles to the Hardin Ridge Recreation Area. From Bloomington, 46 and 446 intersection, go 14 miles south on SR 446. Turn west on Chapel Hill Road and travel 2 miles to the Hardin Ridge Recreation Area.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Hoosier National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Hoosier National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Hardin Ridge cost per night?+
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What is the maximum RV length at Hardin Ridge?+
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●Data sources on this page
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