Brown County State Park dominates central Indiana's camping scene with diverse terrain not typical of the Midwest. Located within 40 miles of Avon, the park features hills reaching 300 feet above the surrounding countryside with camping elevation at approximately 850 feet. The terrain creates distinct microclimates across different camping loops, with Taylor Ridge providing more shade than Buffalo Ridge.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: Brown County State Park offers nearly 30 miles of purpose-built mountain bike trails ranging from beginner to expert level. "The mountain bike trails are fantastic, with something for every skill level. Nashville is just down the road and has a lot of small shops to go through and a micro brew/distillery that has good beer and food," notes Dave S. from Buffalo Ridge Campground.
Hiking and nature exploration: Multiple trail systems accommodate different skill levels, with several trails connecting to the park's two lakes. "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," reports Amanda D. from Taylor Ridge Campground.
Horseback riding: Equestrian trails and dedicated horse camping areas cater to riders with varying experience levels. "It is Beautiful! I have only been twice and we took our horses 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. from Horsemen's Campground.
What campers like
Spacious, wooded sites: Campers consistently praise the privacy found in certain campground loops. "Taylor which was dubbed 'wooded' and the one I would most suggest. The others were pretty cleared out and too close together," recommends Caitlin W. at Taylor Ridge Campground.
Family activities: Beyond natural attractions, campgrounds offer structured recreation options. "They have a pool, stocked pond, ice cream shop and cafe. Decent camp store. Staff super friendly and helpful," reports Jeremy B. from S and H Campground.
Proximity to Nashville, Indiana: The small artistic community provides off-site entertainment and shopping. "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," shares Chris W. from Raccoon Ridge Campground.
What you should know
Campground elevation and drainage: During heavy rainfall, some camping areas experience drainage issues. "The campground is notorious for flooding in heavy rains. We have had as much as 4 in of water draining through our campsite," warns Audrey M. about Horsemen's Campground.
Seasonal closures: While most RV parks near Avon operate March through November, Muncie RV Resort (formerly Anderson-Muncie KOA) remains accessible year-round. "We liked it so much, we stayed extra days! Amazing, clean, quiet, peaceful and great fishing! We went for a weekend and stayed a week," shares Mark D.
Bathroom quality varies: Facility maintenance differs significantly across campgrounds. "The pit toilets were clean and the showers were nice. Busy campground but it was very quiet still," notes Sam H. about Brown County State Park facilities.
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation options: While swimming pools are common at private rv parks, natural water features are limited. "They have a pool, worn out putt-putt, a little restaurant, small carnivalesque rides, and a decent camp store. The Saturday night we stayed they were playing a kids movie in one part of the campground and live music 'on the hill,'" reports Corey E. from S and H Campground.
Nature center activities: Brown County State Park offers educational programs through its nature center. "The nature center is really fun with animals and a bee hive that the children really enjoyed! There are a lot of diverse hiking trails for all," explains Jessie W. from Raccoon Ridge Campground.
Site selection for privacy: Reserve campsites carefully based on specific family needs. "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.
Tips from RVers
Route planning considerations: RVers should note entrance restrictions at certain parks. "The north entrance is through a covered bridge with a 9 foot clearance and 3 ton limit! Otherwise, use the easily accessible west entrance, just a few miles 'around the corner,'" cautions TMB at Buffalo Ridge.
Site leveling requirements: Many RV parks Avon area campers frequent require leveling equipment. "The roads are not marked very well and it took a bit to find our site which needed level blocks and is just wide enough for the RV. Nice to have water supply within 10 feet," explains Wendy T. about Taylor Ridge Campground.
Shower facilities: When choosing between rv parks near Avon, Indiana, bathroom quality affects comfort. "The floor tiles were breaking off and there was certainly a mold issue. We went on a 22 day cross country road trip and this was the only shower I didn't shower in," notes Jessica D. from S and H Campground.
