Brown County State Park offers multiple equestrian camping options within 33 miles of New Palestine, Indiana. The park's landscape features elevations ranging from 600 to 1,000 feet above sea level, creating varied terrain for riding. Southern Indiana's climate allows for horse camping typically from April through October, with summer temperatures averaging 85°F and moderate humidity.
What to Do
Trail riding exploration: Access miles of dedicated bridle paths at Yellowwood State Forest, where you can connect to extensive trail networks. "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.
Fishing opportunities: Cast a line at Summit Lake State Park Campground, located approximately 30 miles northeast of New Palestine. "The lake is fabulous, but there didn't seem to be too many fish available for catching!! Pretty place and fun for a laid back place to stay," notes Debbie S.
Kayaking adventures: Paddle the still waters at local lakes. "We like the still lake for kayaking. The spots along the lake are beautiful but hard to book," explains Casse T. about Summit Lake State Park.
What Campers Like
Secluded camping: Find privacy at Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping for a true primitive experience. "Multiple campsites in the area, I've stayed at two both of which were away from others, clean, fairly flat and had plenty of dead wood around to burn," reports Jeremy F.
Well-maintained facilities: Campers appreciate the clean amenities at many parks. "Clean bathhouse at the campground is pretty nice, and there is a small playground area for the kids," Kelly H. mentions about Westwood Park.
Natural settings: Many horse campgrounds near New Palestine feature scenic surroundings. "The entire day park and campground are clean and well maintained. Sites are a little small, but do provide shade," notes Kelly H.
What You Should Know
Seasonal flooding considerations: Heavy rains affect camping conditions at several equestrian sites. "Watch out for the raccoons they are pretty aggressive and were all over our campsite. Clearly they are used to getting handouts, so keep your foodstuffs in your vehicle or well secured," warns John F. about Whitewater Memorial State Park.
Limited water access: Plan accordingly for horse care at some campgrounds. "There are several potable water stations and pit toilets throughout the campgrounds and one dump station located in Red Bud," explains Stephen & Theresa B. about Yellowwood State Forest.
Reservation requirements: Most established campgrounds require booking. "For those of you who don't understand disperse camping this is the perfect site for a tent to camp without anything but what you bring in and take out," says James W. about Berry Ridge Road.
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground amenities: Choose sites with kid-friendly facilities. "There is a 10 mile hiking/biking trail all the way around the lake. There are horse riding trails too," mentions Stephen H. about Westwood Park.
Water activities: Whitewater Memorial State Park Campground provides swimming options. "Beautiful park, with lots of hiking trails although it is sad to see the amount of litter all along the trails we hiked (7 miles worth). A very well stocked camping store with friendly staff," reports John F.
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer nature programs. "The park encompasses 622 acres with approximately 5 miles of hiking trails and equestrian facilities," according to information about Johnson County Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose level sites when possible. "The sites are well spaced out with a few pull through sites and many back ins. Our site was a pull through and, while level left to right, required a good bit of leveling front to back," advises Marshall P. about Summit Lake.
Utility access: Check hookup availability before arrival at Johnson County Park. "The only amenity not available is Sewage Hookup but they offer a dump instead. Very open wide spaced sites. Shade is hard to come by," reports Nomon K.
Size restrictions: Consider RV length when booking at equestrian campgrounds. "I would think a rig more than 31 or 32 feet long would have difficulty maneuvering around the curve at the end of the second loop," cautions Lisa M. regarding Summit Lake State Park.
