NASHVILLE, Ind. — Brown County State Park is the crown jewel of the system, the largest and most-visited Indiana state park.

Sometimes called the “Little Smokies,” the park offers a natural getaway to tranquil, scenic hillside and quaint nearby towns.

For some families, a vacation to the hills of Brown County is an affordable alternative to stuffy hotel rooms.

Ken Churchward of Springfield, Ohio, said this summer was his first trip to the park.

“Hotels are boring anyway, and it’s basically the same price to stay here for a week as it would be to live in a hotel room for two nights,” Churchward said.

“I’d rather save the money and enjoy being outside and be able to see the stars at night.”

Brown County features 15,696 acres of campground, water and striking landscape for visitors to enjoy. It is also home to Yellowwood State Forest and Weed Patch Hill, one of the highest points in Indiana at an elevation of 1,058 feet.

Visiting Brown County

New attractions and old traditions create a clever mix to appeal to all travelers.

A nature center is available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Hikes, speakers and programs are available.

James Eagleman, interpretive naturalist, said the Department of Natural Resources considers the park an educational effort more than an entertainment facility.

“We offer observation areas, group talks and lots of artifacts that are typically found within the park. The idea is to make people more aware of what the park has to offer and learn about Brown County,” Eagleman said.

Eagleman has worked at park for 31 years and said the best part of his job was showing people how to learn important lessons from nature.

“Nature is the best system for relating to the public. Nature is always changing and sometimes disasters hit, but the park heals itself and makes adjustments and improvements,” he said.

Eagleman said spring and fall seasons are the busiest for the park, with visitors admiring the signs of spring and autumn leaves.

For bird watching enthusiasts like Joan Zerbe of Merrillville, the outdoor camping is a great way to connect with nature.

“I’ve been over to the lodge, but camping is just the way I prefer. I like being able to walk around and seeing all the different wildlife … especially the birds,” she said.

In 2008, an indoor aquatic center was added to the Abe Martin Lodge.

Missy Myers, lodge assistant general manager, said the aquatic center is drawing in visitors from a new age group.

“We are working to re-create menus and our gift shop to meet a new clientele. … It’s important that we let people know everything they need is offered within the park,” Myers said.

Laurie Brown of Cincinnati said the new aquatic center is a perfect fit for her young family.

“We have little kids with us, so other vacation places are too far away and too expensive. This park has all kinds of trails and the new pool for the kids to enjoy,” Brown said.

The aquatic center features a slide in addition to volleyball and basketball areas. There is also a lazy river and fun zone for young children. Parents can relax in lawn chairs surrounding the play area or hot tub.

The lodge includes meeting rooms, space for weddings and a restaurant, which are all open to the public.

Camping opportunities

Electric and non-electric camping and horseman sites are available for guests wishing to experience nature close-up. Brown County offers 415 family electric sites as well as 204 electric and primitive horseman sites all with completed restrooms and showers.

Larger camping spaces for groups are available on rally sites throughout the park.

Assistant Property Manager Jeremy Sobecki said the many activities and camping opportunities keep people coming back.

“Brown County has a little bit of everything,” he said. “It’s like a little city with water and electric, housing and a camp store … and we try to run it that way.”

Sobecki said the park is known for its scenic stops alongside the road. The overlooks are populated with picnics and photographers throughout the summer.

“Otherwise, mountain biking is really starting to take off,” he said.

Another two-mile bike trail was added in early June. The park now manages 20 miles of mountain bike trail with varying degrees of difficulty.

Two horseback riding trails are available at the park’s saddle barn. A 2.2 mile trail costs $15 and a 3.3 mile trail is $25. Visitors can also fish in the park’s Strahl and Ogle lakes.

Hayrides are offered Friday and Saturday nights for $3 a person. During October, the park creates a haunted trail for younger campers. A campsite decorating contest is also scheduled each year.

Fire pits and picnic tables are available to the public, first-come, first-served with the purchase of admission into the park.

Shelter houses can be reserved for group gatherings and range $30 to $80 depending on location.

The public pool is open from noon to 7 p.m. daily throughout the summer. The pool costs $2 per admission or a permit for 25 swim admissions can be purchased for $35.

The park is open every day year-round from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

For more information, call the state park office at (812) 998-6406 or visit browncounty.com.



Abe Martin Lodge

Below are the summer rates for Abe Martin Lodge, located at the heart of Brown County State Park. Rates are valid from May 1 to Sept. 30.

• Lodge room: $104; two queen beds or one king bed.

• Patio room: $114; two queen beds or one king bed with shared patio.

• Rustic cabin room: $69; one room with bathroom, sleeps two or four people.

• Rustic cabin adjoining rooms: $115; two bedrooms with one double bed each, sleeps four people.

• Family cabin: $169; two story cabins with two bedrooms, two sleeper sofas and full kitchen, sleeps eight people.

Park entrance fees

Listed are park entrance fees valid for the summer. Free admission is given to former POWs or their surviving spouses.

• $4 Monday to Thursday; Indiana licensed vehicle, motorcycle or moped.

• $5 Friday to Sunday; Indiana licensed vehicle, motorcycle or moped.

• $7 daily; out-of-state licensed vehicle, motorcycle or moped.

• $2 daily; entering by foot, bicycle, horseback or per person for passenger vans and buses.

• $46 out-of-state licensed annual entrance permit; valid Jan. 1 to Dec. 31.

• $18; “Golden Hoosier” passport for seniors at least 65.



Nearby Attractions

Nashville features a variety of unique Brown County attractions and activities ranging from music and theater venues to paintball and antique shops. The small-town atmosphere gives visitors a chance to relax and enjoy Indiana at its finest.

For information

• Visitors and Convention Bureau: 10 North Van Buren St.; artist registry, community art calendar, featured artists exhibits, maps and information. Information: (812) 988-7303.

Theatres

• Little Nashville’s Coachlight Theatre: 227 S. Van Buren St.; 175-seat repertory theater, shows running February to December, now showing “Hollywood Serenade,” WMB studios radio show from Big Band era of 1940s, and “Cabaret Live,” music and comedy from 1900s to 1960s featuring the Boggstown Cabaret. Information: (812) 988-2101.

• The Melchior Marionette Theatre: 60-seat outdoor theatre, hand-crafted cabaret puppets, now showing “Comedy Cabaret on Strings,” a 20-minute variety marionette show including dancers, jugglers and trapeze artists. Show runs through Sept. 27. Information: 1-800-849-4853.

• Little Nashville Opry: 704 Indiana 46W; famous county and bluegrass events, special venues, Saturday shows at 8 p.m. or 6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., upcoming shows include Mel McDaniel, July 4; Lorrie Morgan, July 12; Billy Crash Craddock, July 18; Sammy Kershaw, July 25; ticket office hours 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday. Information: (812) 988-2235.

Sports

• Salt Creek Golf Retreat: 2359 Indiana 46E; 18-hole golf course, clubhouse and condominium-style hotel. Information: (812) 988-7888.

• Paintball Valley: 2620 Valley Branch Road; Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., 500 acres of paintball field, featuring 10 scenario fields and 400 acres of training grounds. Information: (812) 988-7750.

• Rawhide Ranch: 1292 Indiana 135S; Horseback riding lessons, pony rides, hayrides, geocaching, low ropes course. Information: (812) 988-0085.

• Live the Dream Cycle Rental: Daily, weekend and weekly rental of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, cycles delivered, reserve by phone or online. Information: 1-888-583-4647, ltdcyclerental.com.

• Yellowwood State Forest: Yellowwood Road off Indiana 46; picnics, fishing, hunting, hiking, boat rental. Information: 812-988-7945.

Lodging

• Abe Martin Lodge: 1810 Indiana 46E; Lodge with hotel rooms and cabins, full restaurant and indoor aquatic center. Information: (812) 988-4418.

• Brown County Inn: 51 Indiana 46E; Resort and conference center with large covered pool and deck. Information: 1-800-772-5249.

• The Allison House Inn: 90 South Jefferson St.; bed and breakfast with five guest rooms, each with a private bath and full hot breakfast served each morning. Information: (812) 988-0814.

• Rawhide Ranch Buck Inn: 1292 Indiana 135S; dude ranch house with horse stalls on the bottom and fully furnished rooms on the top. Information: (812) 988-0085.

• The Seasons: 560 Indiana 46E; full-service hotel with dining room, lounge and indoor pool, conference and wedding facilities accommodate 500 guests. Information: 1-800-365-7327, seasonslodge.com.

Entertainment

• For Bare Feet: 135 and Indiana 45W; sock factory tours starting at 1 p.m. and shops featuring novelty, team and university socks. Information: (812) 988-7144.

• T.C. Steele State Historic Site: 4220 T.C. Steele Road; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, guided tours of historic building sites, including the last home and studio of Indiana artist, Theodore Clement Steele. Information: (812) 988-2785.

• Mike’s Music and Dance Barn: 2277 Indiana 46W; Monday and Saturday night line dancing and live bands, smoke-free environment, family-friendly setting, pool tables, food and beverages. Information: (812) 988-8636.

• Joybell Theater and Gift Shop: 120 N. Van Buren St.; only handbell theatre in the world, featured soloist Kristine Stout, performing daily from March to December. Information: 1-800-462-1241.

• Chateau Thomas Winery: 225 S. Van Buren St.; Friday and Saturday night, open Monday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday noon to 5 p.m., wine tasting room, gift shop, and free live music. Information: 1-888-761-9463.

Dining

• Hob Nob Corner Restaurant: 17 West Main St.; once a dry goods grocery store, the corner building now serves a complete breakfast, lunch and dinner menu complete with dessert, oldest commercial building in Nashville. Information: (812) 988-4114.

• Artists Colony Restaurant: 105 S. Van Buren St.; Breakfast 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. and lunch and dinner 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, outdoor dining on porch or artistic atmosphere inside. Information: (812) 988-0600.

• Holy Cow Steakhouse: 101 E. Washington St.; variety of steaks, ribs, burgers, appetizers, beer and wine. Information: (812) 988-0444.

• 19th Hole Sports Bar: 2359 E. Indiana 46; pool tables, arcade and darts as well as the famous Salt Creek tenderloin, $1 drafts on Wednesdays, live music on Friday and Saturday night. Information: (812) 988-7888.

• The Sandwich Place: Main and Van Buren St.; a shrine to Bob Knight including a large collection of memorabilia and products for sale. Information: (812) 988-2355.

Art galleries

• Brown County Art Gallery and Museum: Main Street and Artist Drive; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, free admission, six galleries of Hoosier artists’ work and more on display. Information: (812) 988-4609.

• Brown County Art Guild: 48 South Van Buren; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday, gallery of fine art including historical information, events and exhibitions. Information: (812) 988-6185.

• Brown County Craft Gallery: 58 East Main St.; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, cooperative fine arts and crafts from 35 area artisans including fiber, glass, wood, jewelry, weaving, pottery, baskets and leather. Information: (812) 988-7058.

• Gallery by the Green: 23 North Jefferson St.; 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily except Tuesday, open until 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, gathering of fine arts and crafts by regional artists including oils, water colors, photography, woodworking and pottery. Information: (812)-988-8452.