Brown County State Park dominates the Nashville, Indiana camping scene with 480 sites spread across three distinct campground loops. The area sits atop ridges reaching 1,058 feet above sea level, creating unique microclimates within the forest canopy. Campers often encounter temperature variations of 5-7 degrees between valley floors and ridgetops, while fall camping regularly draws full bookings months in advance due to the region's nationally recognized autumn color display.
What to do
Mountain biking through all skill levels: Brown County State Park provides nearly 30 miles of purpose-built bike trails rated from beginner to expert. According to a visitor at Taylor Ridge Campground, "The mountain bike trails are fantastic" with features including flow trails, berms, rollers, and jumps.
Boating and kayaking on Monroe Lake: The area's lakes offer excellent water activities just minutes from camping areas. At Paynetown Campground, "We all went out on my brother's boat. The next day my wife and I rented kayaks, we had a blast."
Exploring Nashville's art scene: The small town offers numerous galleries and shops just minutes from camping areas. A camper from Taylor Ridge Campground noted, "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."
Horseback riding on dedicated trails: Several parks provide horse trails and dedicated equestrian camping areas. "We rode on a trail ride at the saddle barn. The horses were well trained and willing to let people ride them," reported a visitor to Buffalo Ridge Campground.
What campers like
Diverse campsite options: The region offers everything from secluded tent sites to full hookup RV locations. At Yellowwood State Forest, "There are four campground loops and a horseman's campground. Campgrounds have vault toilets and drinking water access. Sites are wooded and fairly level."
Clean facilities throughout: Campgrounds maintain excellent bathhouses and restrooms. As one Paynetown camper stated, "The facilities was most impressed with how clean the facilities was. There was someone cleaning the showers and bathrooms every few hours, everything was always fully stocked."
Free camping options: Some locations offer no-cost camping for budget-conscious travelers. At Berry Ridge Road, "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. This is pack in pack out, no amenities camping for free."
Lake swimming access: Several campgrounds provide beach areas for water recreation. One Taylor Ridge visitor mentioned, "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."
What you should know
Varying site elevations: Many campgrounds feature hilly terrain with uneven sites. At Buffalo Ridge Campground, "Camping is on a ridge or plateau with trails and roads descending from campground levels... If you can, try and get a spot towards the front of the campground as the back has sites that are pretty steep."
Reservation requirements vary: Each campground has different booking policies. At Yellowwood State Forest, "The campsite was small so if you have a large tent be prepared for it to take up most of your site... It does not accept reservations. It is first come, first served."
Wildlife encounters: Campers may encounter various animals including snakes. A Yellowwood visitor warned, "Bring bug and tick repellant" while another at Berry Ridge noted, "Did see a rattlesnake dead on the road."
Water access limitations: Not all parks allow swimming in their lakes. One Yellowwood camper clarified, "Swimming is not allowed in Yellowwood lake" though they mentioned "You can also rent rowboats, and being out on the water."
Tips for camping with families
Easy outdoor education opportunities: Several parks feature nature centers with wildlife displays. At Hardin Ridge, "It is part of Hoosier National so there are unlimited trails, Monroe Lake, a beach and all kinds of playgrounds."
Kid-friendly swimming areas: Dedicated beach areas make water play safer for children. A Paynetown Campground visitor shared, "This is our go to campground. We have stayed at several others in the area and by far Paynetown has the most to offer for families to have a great camping trip."
Seasonal activities for children: Many campgrounds offer organized events during peak seasons. A Raccoon Ridge camper mentioned, "Went for fall break & their Halloween week! So much fun."
Spacious sites for family setups: Look for campgrounds with room for multiple tents and play areas. At Yellowwood State Forest, "There are 79 primitive class c sites in four campground areas adjacent to the 133 acre Yellowwood Lake."
Tips from RVers
Entrance restrictions for large vehicles: Some parks have limited access points for bigger rigs. For Brown County Nashville KOA, "If coming from the north-west, try to arrive before dark as the road over the hills to this place is beautiful, but narrow and forested with some trees very close to the roadway."
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds require leveling blocks due to sloped sites. One KOA visitor noted, "Pads are gravel and we did need to use several leveling blocks on our site, which made for a doosey of a bottom step into and out of our trailer."
Dump station and water fill locations: Know where to service your RV. At Buffalo Ridge, they provide "Electric hookups with a dump station, and water to fill your tanks."
Site selection for larger RVs: Not all campgrounds accommodate big rigs well. A Yellowwood camper advised, "This park is perfect for tent camping or smaller units; we would not recommend for larger units as most sites are small and unlevel and may challenge your maneuvering skills!"
