Brown County State Park
Brown County State Park
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
Nicknamed the "Little Smokies" because of the area's resemblance to the Great Smoky Mountains, Brown County encompasses nearly 16,000 acres of rugged hills, ridges and fog-shrouded ravines. Glaciers from the most recent ice ages stopped short of the "hills o' Brown," but their meltwaters helped create the narrow ridges, steep slopes and deep gullies of Brown County State Park. Indiana's largest park is a traditional fall color hot spot, with nearly 20 miles of tree-lined roads and many scenic vistas overlooking miles of uninterrupted forestland.
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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
849 reviews
Excellent
635
Very good
171
Average
30
Poor
10
Terrible
3
Jo_and_Tom
Anna, OH2,043 contributions
May 2022
Beautiful Park for hiking and enjoying. We just drove through and saw the grounds- camping areas, nature center, pool, lake and horse riding area. You could do a like of hiking here. Note Out of State visitors are charge $9 access charge.
Written May 15, 2022
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.
Shane Waters
Marion, IN94 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
This is such a beautiful and well cared for park. The lodge in the middle of the park is amazing - the indoor water park is fun for both children and adults. The cabins in the woods are a must stay for those who want to get away from the city life!
Written August 17, 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.
ASHIR
3 contributions
May 2021 • Family
We have been going to Brown County State Park with our family for years. We hike, go horse back riding, enjoy the water park, and love shopping in Nashville. The family cabins are terrific. This year I made the unfortunate mistake of staying in the barracks style housing they call regular cabins. During this pandemic, the cabin was dirty, the sheets are in a bag for you to put on the bed — and they are too small for the mattress. The cabin smelled super musty and we had to air it out immediately. The air conditioner is really loud as is the fan light in the bathroom. We are facing the back of the lodge and hear service trucks, garbage, etc. Finally, the land has been scraped all around so it’s just a dirty, muddy mess. Don’t book one of their comic book named cabins.
Written May 17, 2021
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.
Joe
Saint John, IN30 contributions
Mar 2021
It was a warm sunny day so my wife and I decided to picnic in the park. We drove over to Strahl Lake and had our picnic there. Very scenic and serene. We took a nice walk around Strahl Lake. After leaving the Strahl Lake area we drove over to Ogle Lake and around the park. The nature center was closed maybe because of the time of year. We did however see a coyote run across the road while we were driving in the park. A beautiful gem in southern Indiana.
Written April 8, 2021
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.
karlcat2017
Detroit, MI21 contributions
May 2021
The beauty of the park. My daughter and I spent time in the park. We took a trail ride through the park in the early morning. We hiked some trails then went onto Lake Monroe for an afternoon of Kayaking. We then went on to the small town of Nashville and had dinner and visited the shops. We also took a local train ride to hear the history of the town. A full day in southern Indiana.
Written June 6, 2021
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.
Amanda A
Albany, GA165 contributions
Jun 2021 • Couples
The grounds were well kept. Lots of trails for hiking. Great restaurant at the lodge. There is a small fee for entry, however keep your your receipt and you can come and go as much as you like until closing for one fee.
Written June 22, 2021
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.
winks1996
Danville, IL898 contributions
Sep 2021 • Couples
Nice little park that you can drive around with stops for scenery easily in one day. In the fall I would allow for two days which would allow for some trail hiking. Out of state folks get charged $9 which is absurd but the way it is.
Written September 14, 2021
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.
Dean_G_Bloomington
Bloomington, IL45 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
This park has something for everyone. Saddle trails, bike trails, hiking, camping, cabins, a lodge, and beautiful scenery! One of my favorite places anywhere. Nearby in Nashville are all the craft and antique stores, but tbh it’s been a tourist trap for a long time. Still love the food and some of the shops though!
Any time of year is great to visit, but if you’re taking in the fall foliage, avoid weekends if possible, by noon or so it’s incredibly crowded during peak weekends. But you can still enjoy yourself if you get to the park 8-9 am and spend a couple of hours driving to all the overlooks. Then find a trail to hike. Most people are just driving from spot to spot.
Better yet go during the week, and stay on grounds for a couple days. No crowds to speak of, and it’s just so much more enjoyable.
Any time of year is great to visit, but if you’re taking in the fall foliage, avoid weekends if possible, by noon or so it’s incredibly crowded during peak weekends. But you can still enjoy yourself if you get to the park 8-9 am and spend a couple of hours driving to all the overlooks. Then find a trail to hike. Most people are just driving from spot to spot.
Better yet go during the week, and stay on grounds for a couple days. No crowds to speak of, and it’s just so much more enjoyable.
Written December 17, 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.
gobabigo11
Louisville, KY276 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
This place is beautiful. I just got back from a day trip. The fall leaves were at peak season. There are so many places to view them and the trees almost look like they are endless. You can drive and not get out if you want, but I would recommend try to walk over to a leaf viewing area so you can see just how vast they are. We also went to the nature center and I was very impressed with all the creatures they have for you look at and read about. There are several live creatures as well. Snakes, birds, and turtles.
I can’t wait to go back and spend a few days.
I can’t wait to go back and spend a few days.
Written October 29, 2023
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.
Tom F
6 contributions
Oct 2021
Wonderful place to camp, drive through, deer spot, hike, sit and relax or just about anything else. Highly recommend a stop at the horse barn, the horse camp in addition to the regular camp areas. VERY COOL park!
Written October 18, 2021
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.
Can I use credit card to pay the entrance fee or does it have to be cash?
Written June 12, 2022
Has anyone stayed in the Taylor Ridge campground in brown county state park?
Written June 2, 2020
Yes, I am pretty sure you can or ,at least, you can drive to a short walking distance from it. I know I have been there but it's been awhile. I do know that the road through the park winds around and takes you pretty much wherever you need to go. Sorry this is os late and I hope that didn't disrupt your plans.
Written November 18, 2019
Krista D
LaGrange, Indiana
Can you drive through the park to see the scenery or just hiking?
Written July 19, 2019
The park is great for hiking, or just driving through. Nice scenery. But you will have to pay an entry fee, $7.00 in state, $9.00 if you live out of state.
Written July 21, 2019
Hello!
About what time in October were these photos taken? We are planning to get married in Brown County on 10-3-2020, and I am just trying to get an idea of how green or colorful the fall foliage will be. I know it is a bit early in the season...
Thanks!
Written May 3, 2019
Many blessings and congratulations to the both of you! Brown County is always a beautiful place to visit. The weather should be cool and the color just starting to shine in the natural beauty of the woods in early October.
Written May 5, 2019
We are having a family reunion and I am wondering if they allow groups to gather outside at a cabin for a few hours to eat. We will not be grilling out...I know that is prohibited at the cabins...but we will be cooking inside with crockpot type food. So just wondering if we are allowed to set up a couple of tables and a canopy outside of the cabins for a few hours a day.
Written March 6, 2019
Same as other you need to contact the park they work hard to make you happy but there are rules that I do not know. So just give them a call I am sure they will work with you.
Written March 7, 2019
Can I rent a RV cute for 3/1 & 3/2 of 2019 with electric ?
Written February 27, 2019
Huge campground. Early spring should be no problem getting a site. We have a pop-up so don't need sewer hook-up needs. Newer pit toilets are being added and their bathroom facilities are very good. Reserve on-line ahead so you can situate yourself as near or far from your needs. We are northerners. Winter plumbing is limited in many campgrounds.
Written February 28, 2019
I'm thinking about camping here. Any recommendations on which area to camp at? Any really good camp sites?
Written January 10, 2019
We camped in Taylor's Ridge during the week before Labor day. We had the comfort station pretty much all to ourselves. The sites in the 200s with the wooded area were bigger than ours. All the sites in the edges are more secluded. There are sites further out toward the end of line where the trees are so tall the bottoms are bare giving a bit less privacy. Great park, take the trail around the lake! Inspirational. Pen and Mouse Studio
Written January 13, 2019
Is there a campground that has better access to trails? I’m tent camping (primitive or electric is fine), just want a place where I can park my car, set up tent, and then hike without needing to get into car for trails. Is that possible at Brown County?
Written April 10, 2018
Yes, there are many trails that are close to the campgrounds. Google "brown county state park hiking map", it will be the first hit.
Have fun!
Written April 10, 2018
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