Brown County State Park spans over 15,000 acres of rugged hills and valleys with elevations reaching up to 1,058 feet at Weed Patch Hill. Unionville camping options primarily cluster around Nashville, Indiana, approximately 20 minutes southwest, where temperatures average 20-30°F in winter and 70-85°F during summer months. Seasonal restrictions apply at many campgrounds, with reduced services and limited accessibility on certain loop roads during winter.
What to do
Hiking trails: Brown County State Park features numerous hiking options with varying difficulty levels. "The park is in close proximity to the artist village of Nashville, shopping, good dining and groceries. Autumn is the heavy tourist season with the changing of the leaves...breathtaking vistas from the parks elevated vantage points!" notes a visitor to Buffalo Ridge Campground.
Mountain biking: The park offers dedicated mountain biking trails suitable for different skill levels. "The mountain biking is excellent, with purpose built trails for beginner to expert (flow, berms, rollers, jumps...)," shares a camper at Buffalo Ridge. Another cyclist at Raccoon Ridge Campground adds, "We rode the trails which were surprisingly dry and fun. We wanted to ride the flow trail HogsHollow but we didn't know how to get back up the mountain."
Horseback riding: For equestrians, dedicated trails are available. "It is Beautiful! 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," writes a visitor at Horsemen's Campground. The park maintains stables for trail rides and a separate horse camping area.
What campers like
Camp store conveniences: The park maintains supplies for campers. "Camp store was stocked nicely. Staff was friendly. The campground itself was very quiet and you could enjoy being out in nature," notes a camper at Taylor Ridge Campground. However, selection may be limited as another camper observes, "The camp store is stocked with the basics, but has more souvenirs than food or camp needs."
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness receives consistent positive mentions. "Very clean bathrooms and shower houses," notes one Taylor Ridge camper. At Raccoon Ridge, another camper reports, "Pit toilets at the back of the loop were probably the cleanest pits I've ever used. Bonus that there are dedicated mens/womens pits."
Proximity to Nashville: The nearby town provides additional amenities and activities. "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 a Taylor Ridge visitor. The town offers art galleries, craft shops, dining options, and seasonal events throughout the year.
What you should know
Site selection considerations: Campground layouts vary significantly. "If you can, try and get a spot towards the front of the campground as the back has sites that are pretty steep," advises a Buffalo Ridge camper. At Raccoon Ridge Campground, "Many of the tent sites are split-level, meaning the fire pit and tent area is down a hill from where you park your car."
Entrance restrictions: Vehicle access limitations exist 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,'" cautions a Buffalo Ridge visitor. This is particularly important for RVs and larger vehicles.
Wildlife encounters: Despite official reports, wildlife sightings occur. "We saw a black bear at dusk digging through a garbage can at one of the picnic areas along the parks interior roads - black bears are reported as not being present in the park," shares a Raccoon Ridge camper. Deer are commonly seen throughout the campgrounds, particularly at dawn and dusk.
Tips for camping with families
Nature center activities: The park's educational facilities offer family-friendly programming. "The nature center is really fun with animals and a bee hive that the children really enjoyed!" says a visitor at Lake Monroe Village. Another camper at Taylor Ridge adds, "We visited the nature center which was nothing spectacular but still something nice to do."
Swimming options: Recreational water facilities are available seasonally. "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," notes a Raccoon Ridge visitor. Some campgrounds also feature pools, with a Lake Monroe Village camper mentioning, "Close to Lake Monroe. Nice pool. Great people."
Trail difficulty planning: Consider children's abilities when selecting trails. "The park has a trailhead that's walking distance from the campsite that leads down a beautiful trail to a lake," shares a Taylor Ridge camper. However, terrain can be challenging as the park is "VERY hilly, with many scenic overlooks," according to another visitor.
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Many rv sites near Unionville, Indiana have strict length limitations. At Cloverdale RV Park, "The spots are accessible, the bathrooms are AMAZING (no…seriously), the little attractions are adorable and the host is terrific." However, pricing varies significantly with one camper noting, "It was kinda expensive for me - just one person in a compact RV for one night was $65."
Leveling requirements: Terrain at rv camping options near Unionville creates uneven sites. "Some spots are uneven and tight, but also some very large (back of loop and some of the spots on side of loop in the front)," reports a Raccoon Ridge camper. At Taylor Ridge, "The site was a slight slope and overall I would book it again. We have a full size truck with a small travel trailer that fit perfectly."
Utility hookups: Water access points vary between campgrounds. "Nice to have water supply within 10 feet. Very quiet, shady paved sites in Taylor's Ridge loop," shares one RVer. For reliable full-service options, one visitor notes that Lake Monroe Village offers "182 sites open year-round with full hookups, accommodating larger motorhome units with big-rig friendly spaces."
