Morgan-Monroe State Forest serves as a primary camping destination within a 45-minute drive of Martinsville, Indiana. The forest encompasses over 24,000 acres of hardwood terrain with elevation changes ranging from 700 to 900 feet above sea level. Camping options include primitive tent sites, small RV accommodations, and backwoods trail camping for more adventurous visitors.
What to do
Hiking trail exploration: Mason Ridge Campground at Morgan-Monroe State Forest connects to several trails including the 10+ mile Low Gap Trail. "There are a lot of trails to hike 2 of them are over 10 miles (lower gap and three lakes). The Tecumseh trail (40 miles) starts in Morgan Monroe State Forest passes through Yellowwood State Forest and ends in the Hoosier national Forest," notes one visitor.
Mountain biking: The trail system at Buffalo Ridge Campground offers purpose-built mountain biking trails for all skill levels. "The mountain biking is excellent, with purpose built trails for beginner to expert (flow, berms, rollers, jumps...)," states one review. Trails range from novice loops to technical sections requiring advanced riding skills.
Horseback riding: Dedicated equestrian facilities at Horsemen's Campground provide access to trail riding opportunities. "There are a lot of fun hills and trails that you can ride for hours which we love to do," writes one equestrian camper. Trail rides can be arranged at the horse barn for visitors without their own horses.
Paddling: Small lakes within Brown County State Park allow for kayaking and fishing. During summer months, the park maintains rental options for paddleboats. "There is a trailhead that's walking distance from the campsite that leads down a beautiful trail to a lake," notes a Taylor Ridge camper.
What campers like
Well-maintained facilities: Campers consistently praise the maintenance standards at Taylor Ridge Campground. "Very clean bathrooms and shower houses," mentions one reviewer. Another notes, "The campground itself was very quiet and you could enjoy being out in nature. The site was walking distance from showers/bathroom."
Secluded wooded sites: Privacy between campsites rates highly among visitors to Brown County State Park. "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," advises one camper. Site selection matters for those seeking seclusion.
Proximity to Nashville: Many campers appreciate the accessibility to nearby Nashville, Indiana. "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 one reviewer from Taylor Ridge Campground.
Family amenities: CERA Sports Corporation receives high marks for its recreational options. "We absolutely love this place. A lot to do, swimming, mini golf, ect. You can bring your golf cart for a extra fee," states one visitor. Another mentions "our grandkids love the pool with the slide and rock wall, the mini golf, the paddle boats and the amazing playground."
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Many campsites throughout the area require leveling equipment. "Many sites are uneven and tight, but also some very large (back of loop and some of the spots on side of loop in the front)," notes a camper at Raccoon Ridge Campground. Bringing leveling blocks is recommended.
Seasonal maintenance issues: Seasonal storm damage can affect campsite conditions. "There were trees down throughout the park including our campsite. It took a couple hours for them to come clean it up but even when the did they didn't do a complete job," reports one Taylor Ridge visitor.
Site size restrictions: Pay careful attention to site dimensions when booking. "The site we stayed in was lovely. It was backed up to the edge of the woods which made for a lovely view... I would say pay particular attention to the size of the site you're booking as some were pretty small," advises a Taylor Ridge camper.
Access limitations: Some entrances have physical restrictions. One Buffalo Ridge camper notes, "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.'"
Tips for camping with families
Nature center activities: The nature center at Brown County State Park offers educational programming for children. "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," shares one Taylor Ridge camper.
Playground access: Several campgrounds provide playground facilities for children. Morgan-Monroe State Forest features a playground adjacent to Mason Ridge Campground, though availability may vary seasonally.
Water recreation options: During summer months, Brown County State Park operates a swimming pool. "The park also features an Olympic size pool (capacity 2,000). You cannot walk there from the campground unless you are very hardy and very determined," mentions a Raccoon Ridge visitor.
Off-season planning: Fall season brings increased visitor traffic to the area, particularly for leaf viewing. Winter camping remains available at Morgan-Monroe State Forest with reduced services.
Tips from RVers
RV park options near Martinsville: Cloverdale RV Park offers full-hookup sites closer to Martinsville. "This easy-access-from-the-highway RV park is really nice. The spots are accessible, the bathrooms are AMAZING (no…seriously), the little attractions are adorable and the host is terrific," notes one RVer.
Dump station challenges: Morgan-Monroe State Forest's dump station has limitations. "The dump station hose did not have a connection to allow me to flush the blackwater holding tank," reports one RVer in a Winnebago Micro Minnie.
Size considerations for rv parks near Martinsville, Indiana: Morgan-Monroe accommodates smaller RVs only. "We are RV campers and there are only about 5 sites we could get in to. Our camper is about 25' and it was tight get in and out of the campground. If you have a small camper (15' or smaller) there would more sites," advises a camper.
Site selection strategy: When booking rv parks around Martinsville, Indiana, research individual site characteristics. "Very roomy... 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," notes a Taylor Ridge camper.
