Brown County State Park offers dramatic topography with hills that rise to elevations of 720-1,090 feet above sea level, creating a landscape that resembles the Appalachian region rather than typical Indiana terrain. The park spans 16,000 acres with terrain characterized by steep ravines and ridgetops that require campers to bring leveling blocks at most campgrounds. Winter camping options near Shelbyville are limited, with most RV sites within a 40-mile radius closing between November and March.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: Taylor Ridge Campground provides access to numerous purpose-built trails for all skill levels. "The mountain biking is excellent, with purpose built trails for beginner to expert (flow, berms, rollers, jumps...)," notes a visitor to Buffalo Ridge Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds offer stocked ponds for fishing. At CERA Sports Corporation, one camper mentioned, "We love the beautiful peaceful lake, our grandkids love the pool with the slide and rock wall, the mini golf, the paddle boats and the amazing playground."
Horseback riding: Dedicated equestrian facilities exist at Brown County State Park. A visitor to Horsemen's Campground shared, "There are a lot of fun hills and trails that you can ride for hours which we love to do."
Swimming facilities: Many campgrounds offer swimming options, though availability is seasonal. One camper at Taylor Ridge noted, "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 campers like
Spacious campsites: Several campgrounds offer larger-than-average sites. At S and H Campground, despite having 450 sites, a camper mentioned, "This campground was wonderful. We stayed on a Thursday, but saw that they have a ton of activities going on during the weekend including live music and cornhole tournaments."
Recreation amenities: Family activities are abundant at certain parks. "This campground is amazing. Everything you want to do while on vacation with your family or kids. There are several fishing ponds and a lake with a beach area. There are 2 pools, and a golf course," reported a visitor to Thousand Trails Indian Lakes.
Natural beauty: The rolling topography creates scenic camping environments. A visitor to Buffalo Ridge Campground described it as a "Mountain-like Park in Southern Indiana. Wonderful park, easily mistaken for Appalachia!"
Town access: The proximity to Nashville, Indiana provides additional attractions. "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," shared a camper from Taylor Ridge Campground.
What you should know
Winter closures: Most campgrounds around Shelbyville close during winter months. Thousand Trails Indian Lakes operates from April 1 to November 1, while Indianapolis KOA runs from March 1 to November 15.
Road conditions: Campground access can be challenging during wet weather. A visitor to Raccoon Ridge Campground warned, "Be aware that the road leading to the Horseman's camp crosses a creek several times, and in rainy weather there may be water over the road."
Site variations: Topography affects site quality and levelness. "Driving through the campground it looks like there are some sites pretty close together but ours wasn't too bad. 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," shared a Taylor Ridge camper.
Reservation timing: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially during fall color season. "This campground is busy all season so book a long time in advance," advised a visitor to Buffalo Ridge.
Tips for camping with families
Activity packages: Look for campgrounds with multiple child-friendly options. A visitor to S and H Campground noted, "Very nice campground. They have a little section full of carnival like rides. Several playgrounds! Campground big and spacious."
Swimming options: Pools with special features appeal to children. At CERA Sports Corporation, a camper highlighted "Pool area is super nice with a waterslide, diving boards and a unique rock climbing wall in the deep end."
Nature programs: Educational activities enhance family camping experiences. "We also went to a Raptor show that was put on at the nature center where we got to look at some interesting raptors," mentioned a Buffalo Ridge visitor.
Weekend scheduling: More family activities occur on weekends. At S and H Campground, a visitor reported, "Good bands throughout the weekend. The hill offered more space and had updated facilities, small market, grill, ice cream."
Tips from RVers
Access restrictions: Larger RVs face limitations at certain entrances. "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,'" warned a Buffalo Ridge camper about Brown County State Park.
Site selection priorities: At rv sites near Shelbyville, Indiana, electric reliability varies. A visitor to S and H Campground reported, "We were on site 86, 50 amp service, but when everyone started turning on their AC, my surge protector kept kicking due to voltage swings."
Utility arrangement: Some campgrounds have unusual hookup configurations. One visitor to Indian Lakes noted, "The sites back up to each other and the utilities are down the middle. There isn't dedicated site utilities like the majority of CGs."
Leveling requirements: Bring adequate leveling equipment for RV camping in this region. A Raccoon Ridge visitor advised, "Several hundred sites spread out over miles of rolling hills. This place offers everything from remote rustic camping to front country modern camping."
