Monroe Lake
Monroe Lake
4.5
About
Monroe Lake is part of the Indiana State Parks system. It covers 23,952-acres, including a 10,750-acre lake (the largest in Indiana and known for bass fishing) with both open and no-wake areas. The property includes 9 State Recreation Areas (Paynetown, Fairfax, Cutright, Moore's Creek, Salt Creek, Pinegrove, Allen's Creek, Crooked Creek, and Cartop) and 3 Wildlife Resting Areas (Stillwater-Northfork, Middlefork, and Southfork). Facilities vary at each location. The two most-developed sites are Paynetown SRA (campground, swimming beach, marina, general store, activity center, and other amenities) and Fairfax SRA (hotel resort, restaurants, marina, swimming beach, and other amenities). There is a seasonal entrance fee to enter Paynetown and Fairfax ($5/vehicle for Indiana residents, $7/vehicle for out-of-state residents). Refer to our website or call the Property Office for specifics about amenities available at each of the 9 SRAs. Hunting is allowed in all non-developed areas of the property, with special restrictions in the Wildlife Resting Areas. Call the Property Office for information about hunter access.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
181 reviews
Excellent
118
Very good
44
Average
12
Poor
2
Terrible
5
Kristi H
1 contribution
Aug 2020
I have been camping for 30 years and I like to have a good time as well as anyone else. I have never made a complaint against a state campground ever, but this will be my first. We were across the cove from, I would say a group of frat guys, who acted like they were partying at their frat house all weekend. They played vulger rap tunes during the day and up till 2 am. Needless to say their music was just as bad as their mouths! We didn't have kids with us but there were young kids around us and I felt horrible they had to listen to this. We complained 3 times at 11:30 pm Friday and Saturday and at 1:30 am on Saturday!!! Nothing was done about it! It was truly the worst experience I have ever had at any state park. We weren't the only ones to complain and the DNR employees still did NOTHING. I expect this wasn't the first time the FRAT BOYS had done this.
Written August 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brent Lewis
Illinois1 contribution
Oct 2020 • Family
The sites are on top of each other. Not well maintained. Whatever the state website says is not true. Called the main office two months out to see about RV water access at the site. They gave me the site number to book and told me to use a two way adapter and I would be good. That was not true. Management unhooked my RVs water source when I was gone. This caused my water heater to drain, the breaker threw. This caused the AC to stop working with my dog in the RV. I spoke to a manager. He quoted a policy that is not listed or posted on the website. He stated that others complained about the water hook up but the neighbors I spoke to said it was OK. Neighboring sites dog barked all night and most of the day. My 10 year old daughter and I went to the shower house and the site next to it was smoking marijuana. People up all night making noise and playing music. Woke up this morning and went to take my dog out - there was a young man setting at my picnic table. I asked him what he was doing. He stated that he was not sure. Appeared to be intoxicated or high. The lake and surrounding area is amazing. Stay away from Paynetown SRA campground! Not well managed - lacks security.
Written October 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bryanUs
us9 contributions
Jun 2014 • Family
Miserable experience. Campsites are packed one on top of each other. Noisy diesels driving right by your tent at all hours of the night and morning, coming and going. People stay up late all night and into the morning talking and making noise. Loud country music playing from a number of sites. Baby crying all night in the tent right next to us. Then there are the dogs. they start barking early and they keep barking late. Forget quiet, forget rest, forget sleep. Forget the great outdoors. It's Hillbillypalooza at Paynetown!
Written July 7, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scotty B
English, IN2 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
The locals will bully you threaten you when the see you catching fish. They will go to any extreme they can to make you leave,even threaten you to force you to leave. We were there 7/28/18 and and had two full grown men bully my family and I out because we were catching fish. Obviously they were never taught any fishing ethics from their parents. They castrated into both my wife and I lines and and was yelling and cursing us like we were in the wrong. This is the third time we had this problem here. I t was so bad they had my 5yr old son crying. The fishing is good but the locals will bully you out and threaten you. Good luck but be warned. Here is a couple of the bullies. It's a shame that grown men have to act like this.
Written July 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gazooby
Bloomington, IN453 contributions
Feb 2019 • Solo
Simple rule: east of the causeway is a NO WAKE ZONE, AKA an idle zone. If you see white water behind your boat you are going too fast. Don’t bother using jet skis or speed boats east of the causeway. If you rent them at Cutright Marina, take them west of the causeway. Why does this matter? The lake is very shallow east of the causeway and if you create a boat wake you create shore waves, which cause erosion on the shore, which speeds up the filling of the lake, which cuts short the amount of time you will have to enjoy the lake before it turns to marshland some day. Don’t be that jerk who ruined the lake.
Written February 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
P3902RQwilliamp
309 contributions
Jul 2018 • Friends
Monroe lake is awesome because most of the shoreline about the lake is unable to be developed. So when you go boating or sailing on the lake it is like you have a cabin in the Hoosier National Forest. It is a great sailing lake when there is wind. And they have bald Eagles, I actually watched a pair for close to an hour.
Written July 7, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joan v
Cincinnati, OH48 contributions
Jun 2018 • Friends
Lake Monroe is a beautiful lake that borders part of Hoosier National Forest. Payne town Campgrounds are close together which would be fine but the rules are not enforced. Quiet time was a joke and 2 car and 2 tents per site was not regulated it was a free for all, making it difficult for staff to keep bathrooms and garbage emptied.
Written June 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
johnp36942
Bloomington, IN29 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
Beautiful lake with tons of things to do. Hiking,camping and boating to name a few. The lake can get pretty busy during summer months but still a good time.
Written September 7, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark B
Bloomington, IN9 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
We live nearby and visit the lake often. If you like lots of boats and waves use the south side of the causeway. If you like peace and tranquility of very few people, less drinkers, less boats and waves visit the idle zone north side of the causeway.
Written April 10, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
54Nancy54
Terre Haute, IN311 contributions
Jun 2016 • Couples
You don't have to be a mid-west boater to enjoy Monroe Lake. Yes, there are marinas for those who bring their own vessels and a spot where you can rent one for a few hours. But Monroe Lake also offers hiking trails and well kept swimming beaches for those who don't spend time on the water. There are several State Recreation Areas (SRAs) that front the lake. There are guard gates where you must pay a fee or show your annual state park card to access the lake. We live an hour an hour away and use the lake as a day trip location. Bring a picnic basket. There are plenty of shelters and shade available. Campgrounds abound if you are so inclined. There is a resort on one shore (Four Winds) that is another option for an overnight getaway.
Written June 3, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
staycation42
Fort Wayne, IN21 contributions
Are there fish cleaning stations at Monroe Lake? If not, where is a good place to clean my fish?
Jill V
Bedford2 contributions
Yes, there is a fish cleaning station located at Paynetown SRA. However, it is closed during the winter (water is shut off and the pipes are winterized).
Amber B
Indianapolis, IN1,068 contributions
What time do the boat ramps open in the summer?
Duke47274
1 contribution
I have used the boat ramps at several of the locations 24/7 for very early fishing and late night fishing. I do not recall ever seeing any “open” times posted. There is currently high water at the lake which limits some of the turnaround space available at the ramps.
Bonita W
2 contributions
How much to rent pontoons
Vacationingcouple20
Bloomington, IN30 contributions
Lake Monroe Boat Rentals,4855 South State Road 446 Bloomington In.47401 (812-837-9909)
Andrea A
1 contribution
Fishing rookie here. Son wants to fish on July 4. Where do we park? Can we rent a boat? Is there a swimming beach or picnic area near a boat dock?
Or is it best to skip the boat and sit on the bank---and, where do we find a spot with grilling area/restrooms nearby?
What do we need to know ? Not so much concerned about catching anything, just want to plan ahead and have a relaxing day on the water. Thanks for any input.
Jill V
Bedford2 contributions
Hi Andrea! If you're looking for additional facilities (beach, picnic areas, etc), then you'll want to go to either Fairfax or Paynetown State Recreation Areas (property admission is $7 per vehicle with Indiana license plates).
Those are the only 2 SRAs that have swimming beaches. Both also have picnic areas with grills and modern restrooms. There are privately-operated boat rentals at both locations (Fourwinds at Fairfax, and Lake Monroe Boat Rental at Paynetown), but I STRONGLY suggest calling them in advance about boat availability since it will be a major holiday. Paynetown also has a designated fishing dock, just across the road from the swimming beach. Otherwise, you can fish from the shoreline anywhere along the lake, except at the beaches.
Given that you're talking about July 4, though, it WILL be crowded! So keep that in mind -- you may not be able to get an open picnic table or grill unless you arrive pretty early in the day.
430abigailr
Columbus, IN11 contributions
We are considering renting a boat (all-day) without an onboard restroom. Are there spots to pull over and have access to a “real” bathroom? How frequently? Also - are there restaurants you can pull into and dock the boat for an hour or two? Thanks!
Jill V
Bedford2 contributions
The vast majority of the lake shore consists of undeveloped natural areas.
There are no modern bathrooms located at any of the ramp sites, just pit toilets. Paynetown and Fairfax SRAs do have modern restrooms, just not right next to the boat ramps (where the courtesy docks are all located).
Your best bet would be to rent your boat from the Fourwinds Marina, which is inside Fairfax SRA. If you rent from them, you could dock temporarily at their boat rental dock next to the Fourwinds Resort... which also has the only restaurant that is located right next to the water (and, of course, has modern restrooms in it).
In short, if you want to rent a boat all day and access to a non-pit toilet is a priority for you, then you really need to rent a boat that has an onboard toilet.
printwise
Henderson, NV
Can we take a leashed dog to the beach?
Michael D
Bloomington, IN345 contributions
Rules from website:
Pets, excluding service animals as designated by Indiana Code, are prohibited at:
swimming pools
beaches (unless specifically designated for pets)
rented recreation buildings
the Pioneer Village at Spring Mill State Park
public buildings
Does Monroe lake has grills
DickandRobin
Troy, MI509 contributions
I recall they do. Didn’t need so not certain.
Stephanie B
Columbus, IN
When do the beaches officially open? Everything says Memorial Day, but hopefully that means Memorial Day weekend.
Michael D
Bloomington, IN345 contributions
Yes, the beach would normally open this Saturday, but Monroe is still 5 feet above pool. In that condition the DNR normally doesn't open the beach officially, but I've still seen people out in the water without getting ran-off.
jacksoncarl40
North Terre Haute, IN
What all fish will I find? I'm a fisherman always looking for the good spots..
Michael D
Bloomington, IN345 contributions
Lots of crappie, but mostly in the 6 to 7 inch range; after fishing there for more than 30 yrs we did manage to catch a couple 2 pounders a few years ago; wipers are plentiful and really fun; we had a blast catching common carp from Fairfax beach a couple years; the bluegill are plentiful, but on the small side due to the gizzard shad competition; good channel cat population also; largemouth bass are common, but get a lot of pressure from the weekly tournaments; the tailwaters is good for walleyes at times and there's a bigger average size crappie there
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Frequently Asked Questions about Monroe Lake
- Hotels near Monroe Lake:
- (6.43 mi) Wampler House Boutique Hotel
- (8.22 mi) SpringHill Suites by Marriott Bloomington
- (8.07 mi) Showers Inn
- (7.88 mi) Graduate Bloomington
- (8.57 mi) Home2 Suites by Hilton Bloomington
- Restaurants near Monroe Lake:
- (8.02 mi) Samira's Restaurant
- (7.72 mi) Lennie's & Bloomington Brewing Co.
- (7.95 mi) Uptown Cafe
- (7.84 mi) Big Woods Bloomington
- (7.16 mi) Mother Bear's Pizza
- Attractions near Monroe Lake:
- (7.69 mi) Indiana University
- (0.82 mi) Lake Monroe Boat Rental
- (1.00 mi) Lake Monroe Marina
- (6.07 mi) Indigo Birding Nature Tours
- (8.06 mi) WonderLab