- Starve Hollow SRA Alerts (1)
- BLUE-GREEN ALGAE: Found in lakes year round. Don't drink the water. Shower after you swim. More information.
Forest Education Center Hours
Memorial Day Weekend - end of October, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
4345 S. County Road 275 W.
Vallonia, IN 47281
812-358-3464
StarveSRA@dnr.IN.gov
on.IN.gov/starvehollow
- Description
Starve Hollow State Recreation Area encompasses approximately 280 acres offering some of the best camping in southern Indiana. Carved out of 18,000-acre Jackson-Washington State Forest, it provides fishing and boat rental on 145-acre Starve Hollow Lake, swimming on the large sandy beach or the chance to learn about conservation at the Education Center. For the more avid outdoor enthusiast, hiking and mountain biking on nearby trails is available. Hunting can be done during various seasons by accessing nearby Jackson – Washington State Forest. Playgrounds and shelters that can be reserved are located on the property as well.
Note: Blue-green algae is found in our lakes year-round. Under certain conditions, cells can reproduce in large numbers, and can result in a harmful algal bloom (HAB). We test many of our beaches where people use the water in the summer, but HABs may occur in other seasons, too. Watch for algae accumulation, avoid drinking or cooking with lake water, and do not allow children or pets to swim where algae accumulation is present. For more information, visit algae.IN.gov.
- Activities
Camping
Full Hookup camping facilities: electric, sewer, and water hookup as well as fire ring, picnic table, and parking spur at each site. Modern restrooms/showers (wheelchair accessible) are available nearby. 53 sites available, sites 222, 232, and 234 are wheelchair accessible.
Electric camping facilities: electric hookup, fire ring, picnic table and parking spur at each site. Drinking water is available in area. Modern restrooms/showers (wheelchair accessible) are available nearby. Dumping station is available. There are 87 sites available. Sites 28, 44, 65, 75 and 90 are wheelchair accessible.
Non-electric camping facilities: 10 camp sites with drinking water supply and modern restroom/showers (wheelchair accessible) nearby. Site 316 is wheelchair accessible.
All campsites will be available for reservation up to six months in advance by simply calling a toll-free telephone number or logging onto the internet.
Campers will be able to make reservations by calling, toll free, 1-866-6CAMPIN (1-866-622-6746) Monday through Thursday from noon to 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday between 8 a.m. and noon EST They may also log onto the web, 24 hours a day at Camp.IN.gov.
Property office hours are 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Beginning in May, gates are open seven days a week and remain open through October. Gate attendants can answer questions, check-in campers with reservations or walk-ins, sell passes and permits, sell firewood and ice, and rent boats. You can reach office staff or an on-duty gate attendant by calling 812-358-3464.
Rent-A-Camp Cabins
Starve Hollow has 13 rent-a-camp cabins available March-Nov. (closed Dec.-Feb.) (NOTE: Local sales only during off season/winter months, contact property for details). Each cabin has a front porch with a swing, outside electric outlet and front porch light. Inside there are two small rooms each providing a ceiling fan with light, a heating/cooling unit and electrical outlets. The front room offers a small table with bench seats, corner shelf, chair, rocking chair, and a loft. The back room offers a bunk bed (single) and a double bed (NO LINENS or MATTRESS PROVIDED). Air mattress recommended. Reservations can be made online at Camp.IN.gov. No pets, smoking or cooking permitted in cabins.
Education Center
The Education Center is open Friday – Sunday between May and October. A variety of forestry and natural resource programs are offered throughout the year along with special events. Special events include Earth Day, Smokey’s Birthday, Halloween, scarecrow building, Archaeology Day and family fishing. The center is wheelchair accessible. Hours of operation vary throughout the year so calling in advance is recommended. The Education Center is closed November – April. Volunteers are welcome. For more information about volunteering, services or operational hours, please call the property at 812-358-3464.
Fishing/Boating
Starve-Hollow Lake has three boat ramps to choose from, one at the dam and two in the electric campground. Kayak, rowboat and canoe rental is available.
A valid Indiana fishing license is required. Rowboat and canoe rental is available from mid April through October. Starve-Hollow Lake is a trolling motor only lake. For campers a fish cleaning station is available.
Swimming
A large beach is available for swimming from the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Restrooms, dressing facilities, showers, and food concessions are available to visitors. Wheelchair ramps allow access to beach and concession area.
Picnicking
There are picnic areas and picnic shelters that can be reserved. Both shelters can be accessed by wheelchair. The East shelter has an electrical outlet. Picnic tables and grills are located at the picnic sites. A wheelchair accessible playground, basketball goals, softball fields, horseshoe pits and a sand volleyball court are located on or near the swimming beach.
Hiking Trails
Starve Hollow has several hiking trails to explore that total approximately 11 miles.
INFORMATION
- Trails
Starve Hollow has several hiking trails to explore that total approximately 11 miles. All trails are located east of the lake and campground providing both easy and rugged hiking opportunities. You will experience variety of terrain along the way from lowlands to dry ridge tops. A trail head is located in the campground begins from the rent a camp cabin area providing quick access to several different loops of various lengths. Another trail head located across from the Vallonia Tree Nursery providing an alternative starting point to the 5.6 mile Turkey Roost Trail/Orange Trail, also accessible from the campground trail head. Each trail is painted with different color blazes on trees providing a reference to which trail you are hiking. Maps are available at gates, education center and office. An additional 11 miles of hiking trails are located on the neighboring Jackson-Washington State Forest along with 13 miles of horse trails.
- Maps
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