Starve-Hollow State Recreation Area
Jackson County
Vallonia, IN
Starve Hollow State Recreation Area encompasses approximately 280 acres offering some of the best camping in southern Indiana. Carved out of the 18,000 acre Jackson-Washington State Forest it provides an array of recreational opportunities such as fishing the 145-acre Starve Hollow Lake, swimming on the large sandy beach or learning about conservation at the Nature 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. Shelters and playgrounds are located on the property as well. Winter viewing of Bald Eagles has also become an attraction in recent years due to winter draw-down of the lake for gizzard shad management.
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, with sites 28, 44, 65 and 75 being wheelchair-accessible.
Non-electric camping facilities: 23 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 Internet 24 hours a day at http://www.camp.in.gov/.
Fishing/Boating
Starve Hollow Lake has three (3) boat ramps to choose from, one at the dam and two in the electric campground. The 145 acre lake was drained and restocked in 2008 with largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish and channel catfish.
While the majority of restocked fish were fingerlings, a small percentage was adults salvaged from the lake prior to draining. For more details contact the property.
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. Wheelchair accessible work is being conducted at two of the ramps in 2009, one in the campground and at the dam.
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 shelterhouses available for day use. The shelterhouse at the west end of the main parking lot is wheelchair accessible. 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.
Nature Center
A full time Interpretive Naturalist at Driftwood Interpretive Center provides a wide array of forestry related programs throughout the year including special events such as Earth/Arbor Day, Smokey’s Birthday, and Archaeology Day. The Center is wheelchair accessible. Call the Naturalist if you would like assistance with nature related field days, scout badges, school programs and group talks. All programs are free. Depending upon the time of year, there may be a gate charge to enter the property. Interpretive Center hours vary throughout the year. For more information or scheduling contact Naturalist Sandy Derringer at the Interpretive Center (812) 358-5435 or call the Starve Hollow office (812) 358-3464.
Volunteers are needed at the Interpretive Center year-round. Volunteers can help coordinate special events and programs. During the winter help is needed with building new displays and developing programs. Give the naturalist a call if you are interested.
Hiking
There are a variety of trails to choose from ranging from easy to rugged, including a self guided interpretive trail. Some trails are located within walking distance while others require a short drive to nearby Jackson-Washington State Forest. Hikers are advised to wear hunter orange or other bright clothing while utilizing the trails especially during hunting seasons. Check with property office for status of trails.
Hunting
Waterfowl hunting is offered on a limited base, call the office or check one of the many information booths on the property for hunting status season. Whitetail deer, ruffed grouse, wild turkey, quail, dove, rabbit, squirrel, fox, coyote, and raccoon can be hunted on the nearby Jackson-Washington State Forest which borders the Starve Hollow Recreational Area to the east.
Mountain Bike Trails
Starve Hollow S.R.A./Jackson-Washington S.F. offers 12.2 miles of mountain bike trails. Mountain bikes are only permitted on those designated trails. View our publications page for further details and a trail map.
Address & Directions
Property Manager: Brad Schneck
Assistant Property Manager: Todd Eubank
Starve Hollow State Recreation Area
4345 South County Road 275 West
Vallonia, IN 47281
(812) 358-3464
StarveSRA@dnr.IN.gov
Located approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes from Indianapolis, 45 minutes from Bloomington, Indiana and 45 minutes from Louisville, Kentucky on Indiana County Road 275 W. six miles south of Brownstown, Indiana.
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