Brown County State Park and surrounding areas offer diverse camping experiences set in the rolling hills of southern Indiana, approximately 10-15 miles from Avoca. The region's terrain features elevations ranging from 600 to 1,000 feet above sea level, creating distinct microclimates that affect camping conditions throughout the year. Fall camping is particularly popular when deciduous forests display vibrant foliage from mid-October through early November.
What to do
Hiking diverse terrain: Brown County State Park features multiple trail systems for all skill levels. "The park as a whole is beautiful and there's a trailhead that's walking distance from the campsite that leads down a beautiful trail to a lake," notes Amanda D. about Taylor Ridge Campground.
Mountain biking: The park maintains nearly 30 miles of purpose-built trails for riders of various abilities. "The mountain bike trails are fantastic, with purpose built trails for beginner to expert (flow, berms, rollers, jumps...)," according to a TMB review of Buffalo Ridge Campground.
Horseback riding: Dedicated equestrian facilities and trails make this area popular with horse owners. "It is Beautiful! I have only been twice and we took our hours to trail ride! There are a lot of fun hills and trails that you can ride for hours which we love to do," shares bria M. about Blackwell Campground.
Visit Nashville, Indiana: The nearby town provides shopping and dining options just minutes from campgrounds. "Nashville is only a 5 minute drive from the campgrounds, and it's a blast going to all of the different shops and restaurants located in town," says Chris W. from Taylor Ridge.
What campers like
Secluded wooded sites: Many campers prefer the more forested campgrounds for privacy. "There are 3 separate campgrounds in the park Buffalo Ridge, Raccoon, and Taylor Ridge. We stayed in Taylor which was dubbed 'wooded' and the one I would most suggest. The others were pretty cleared out and too close together," explains Caitlin W.
Clean facilities: Campground maintenance receives consistently positive reviews. "Very clean bathrooms and shower houses," reports Rob H. about Taylor Ridge Campground. Similarly, at Raccoon Ridge Campground, Melissa W. noted, "Pit toilets at the back of the loop were probably the cleanest pits I've ever used."
Spacious campsites: Several rv sites near Avoca, Indiana offer good separation between campers. "The site we stayed in was lovely. It was backed up to the edge of the woods which made for a lovely view," shares Amanda D. about Taylor Ridge, while at Blackwell Campground, Josie W. appreciated that "The fire rings were spread apart amidst a green hill. There was some shade available around the edges. Plenty of room to spread out from your neighbors."
Free camping options: Budget-conscious campers can find no-cost sites in the national forest. "Can't believe this place was free. It was nearly empty (although it was the end of November)," Kelly G. wrote about Blackwell Campground.
What you should know
Site selection matters: Individual sites vary significantly in levelness and size. "I would say pay particular attention to the size of the site you're booking as some were pretty small. Also, some sites were fairly sloped as well," advises Amanda D. about Taylor Ridge.
