BROWN COUNTY, outdoor adventure A guide to the best places to explore the great outdoors in Brown County, Indiana. Brown County's wild side is calling.

1 browncounty.com | 800.753.3255 Looking for a change of pace?

A place to unwind, re-evaluate, and prioritize? A chance to reconnect with family and friends? A respite from cellphones and traffic jams? An opportunity to stretch your legs, test your stamina, recharge your spirit, and nurture your soul?

Welcome to Brown County, Indiana, where escape comes naturally.

Whether it’s hunting, hiking, mountain biking, bird watching, horseback riding, camping, golfing, or canoeing, Brown County is the perfect place to experience the exhilaration, refreshment, and down-to-earth perspective that only the great outdoors can provide.

And the community is supported by an infrastructure of equipment rentals, shops, restaurants, and lodging options dedicated to making your Brown County getaway hospitable and carefree.

For more information, stop by the Brown County Visitors Center or find us online at BrownCounty.com.

Brown County Outdoor Guide 2 Outdoor Activities

BROWN COUNTY STATE PARK SADDLE BARN 1810 EAST STATE ROAD 46, NASHVILLE 812.988.8166 BrownCounty-SaddleBarn.com

Mosey through where professionally guided horse rides are a relaxing way to enjoy the incredible beauty that Indiana’s largest park has to offer. Your whole family will have fun on a carefree 35-minute romp down picturesque roads and . More experienced riders can go for an hour-long ride that will take you deep into the heart of the hardwoods. Every horse is thoughtfully paired with its rider to guarantee the safest and most comfortable ride possible. Just saddle up, sit back, and enjoy!

BROWN COUNTY WILDERNESS CANOE 784 NORTH COMBS ROAD, NASHVILLE 812.720.4080 BrownCounty.com/Listing/Wilderness-Canoe From April through November, go on an adventure Holler Hoppin' Zip Lines at Rawhide Ranch with Brown County Wilderness Canoe. Located just four miles from unique Story, Indiana, Brown County DISC GOLF AT BROWN COUNTY Wilderness Canoe is your go-to for canoe rentals! COUNTRY CLUB (BC3) Explore unidentified tributaries blocked by beaver 2381 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD, NASHVILLE lodges...or paddle all the way to . 812.340.9374 Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for cranes, wild BrownCountyCountryClub.com turkeys, coyotes, and deer. You may even catch a glimpse of a during your journey. Bring Want to try something fun and new? Then spend along your fishing pole while you're at it! All day a day playing 24 holes of disc golf at Brown County kayak and canoe rentals available. Country Club. The beautifully landscaped course is surrounded by hundreds of acres of wooded COPPERHEAD CREEK GEM MINE hills, creating a setting you won’t soon forget. & ROCK SHOP BC3 is a pay-to-play disc golf course that is open 79 NORTH VAN BUREN STREET, NASHVILLE to the public, no matter the level of experience. 812.988.2422 Whether it’s professional caliber golf or a leisurely VisitBrownCounty.com/Mine.asp afternoon with friends, playing a round or two of disc golf is a game everyone will enjoy. Your next Gems, fossils, and arrowheads, oh my! Discover round starts here! hidden treasures while panning at the Copperhead Creek Gem Mine. Take a seat at the flowing EXPLORE BROWN COUNTY water sluice, sift through the mining dirt, and 2620 VALLEY BRANCH ROAD, NASHVILLE prepare to be dazzled! You can even use a handy 812.988.7750 identification card to help recognize the rocks eXploreBrownCounty.com you’ll find. After you’ve gathered your riches, be sure to stop by the Rock Shop for one-of- Want to add some zip to your Brown County a-kind souvenirs. Treasures are awaiting you weekend? Then visit eXplore Brown County at Valley at Copperhead Creek Gem Mine! Oh my! Branch Retreat, home to 15 of the tallest, longest, fastest ziplines in the area. This adventure park also offers ATV and buggy tours, a lake for canoeing, 30 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, 80 acres of rock’em, sock’em paintball, hummer tours, and arrow tag. Talk about eXhilarating! And if there aren’t enough hours in the day, stay overnight in a beautifully furnished cabin. You and your family will never want to stop eXploring!

3 browncounty.com | 800.753.3255 HOLLER HOPPIN' ZIP LINES AT RAWHIDE RANCH Quick Stop 292 SOUTH STATE ROAD 135, NASHVILLE 812.988.0085 Bike Shops bit.ly/HollerHoppinZipLinesRR

Soar over the hills and hollers of Brown County on HESITATION POINT BICYCLES the zip lines at Rawhide Ranch. Feel the rush as 51 PARKVIEW ROAD, NASHVILLE you fly over ravines and through the hardwoods. 812.988.4566 The Holler Hoppin’ guides will make sure you HesitationPoint.com have the ride of your life. Rawhide Ranch also offers the unique experience of a western-themed Make Hesitation Point Bicycles the one-stop vacation even though it’s located in the heart shop for all of your mountain biking gear! of southern Indiana. Stay on site at The Buck It’s the place to go whether you need a bike Inn, a two-story guest barn with beautifully rental, routine maintenance, or a repair that’s furnished rooms that feature handmade quilts more involved like a custom wheel build. and Amish-crafted beds. And after your zip line Hesitation Point offers a large fleet of hardtail tour, saddle up a horse and ride through the and full-suspension mountain bikes just prettiest scenery this side of Wyoming. Zip on waiting to grind over the next rock garden. in! Family fun is just a holler and a hop away. And to top it off, it’s just a half mile from Brown County State Park’s north entrance. INDIGO BIRDING NATURE TOURS Park at Hesitation Point Bicycles and ride in! 812.679.8978 IndiGoBirding.com

Brown County is the epitome of the great outdoors, and David Rupp, owner of IndiGo Birding Nature Tours, wants to help your family appreciate it to the fullest! The combination of natural and human history found in the hills of Brown County present a fascinating backdrop to many tours. South-central Indiana has an array of nesting and migrant birds—the Sandhill crane, a variety of sparrows, and the rough-legged hawk to name a few—and IndiGo Birding Nature Tours will take you to the best locations in the area to view them. If you’re lucky, you might even see a bald eagle. Keep your binoculars and a bird guide handy so you don’t miss a thing!

Hesitation Point Bicycles

Q'S BIKES 2620 VALLEY BRANCH ROAD, NASHVILLE 812.345.6212 Facebook.com/BikesQ

If you’re looking for a personable and easy-going mountain biking tour, look no further than Q’s Bikes! Follow owner, Quincy Robinson, through the hardwoods on his fun, fat tire bike rentals. While Q’s offers all levels of mountain biking, it is the perfect spot for beginners to experience their first ride on a singletrack. Q’s Bikes is located in eXplore Brown County where there are plenty of trails to explore. You can also pick your own route and have Quincy bring the tour to you! For a warm introduction to Brown County, visit Q’s Bikes! Overlook at Brown County State Park

Brown County Outdoor Guide 4 SCHOONER VALLEY STABLES Fire Tower at Brown County State Park 2282 WEST STATE ROAD 46, NASHVILLE 812.988.2859 SchoonerValleyStables.com

Family owned for 50 years, Schooner Valley Stables offers horseback riding for all ages! Whether you’re a greenhorn or an experienced rider, Schooner Valley has a horse to fit your needs. Your family can walk, trot, or canter through the hills of the stunning Yellowwood State . Your tour guide will even lead you down Old Stagecoach Road where the original pioneers of Brown County once traveled!

T.C. STEELE STATE HISTORIC SITE 4220 T.C. STEELE ROAD, NASHVILLE 812.988.2785 TCSteele.org

They don’t call Brown County the “Art Colony of the Midwest” for nothing! Prepare to be awed by the beautiful works of one of the first major artists to settle in Brown County at the T.C. Steele State Historic Site. You’ll tour Steele’s home and studio where you can admire some of his original artwork. The artist’s home, called The House of the Singing Winds, boasts original furnishings and a unique view of life in Indiana that dates back more than 100 years. The house’s grounds are MOST HIGH ADVENTURE OUTFITTERS surrounded by gardens, the historic Dewar Log 6640 NORTH OLD STATE ROAD 37, NASHVILLE Cabin, five hiking trails, and the 92-acre Selma N. 812.340.0700 (FOR RESERVATIONS) Steele Nature Preserve. The studios and galleries MostHighAdventure.com in Brown County are plentiful, but T.C. Steele Whether you prefer water, land, or both, Most State Historic Site is one you just can’t miss! High Adventure Outfitters can take you on a tour of Brown County you’ll never forget! Those who prefer adventures on the land can ride mountain bikes on the award-winning trails of Brown County State Park. Or, if you love being on the water, you can take a kayak, canoe, or power boat tour. And if you just can’t choose one, extend your excursion to two days and do both! No matter if you’re drifting down a lazy river or grinding over rock gardens, you and your family can have it all at Most High Adventure Outfitters.

SALT CREEK GOLF RETREAT 2359 EAST STATE ROAD 46, NASHVILLE 812.988.7888 SaltCreekGolf.com Turn your weekend into a golfing getaway at Salt Creek Golf Retreat! Enjoy a round or two on the picturesque 18-hole championship course, and then visit the 19th Hole Sports Bar for a cold beverage and a tasty meal. Take a refreshing dip in the pool or update your apparel in the pro shop. Salt Creek Golf Retreat is also a beautiful space to host your wedding day, personally planned by an event coordinator who will ensure no detail goes unattended! And to top it all off, the course is conveniently located T.C. Steele State Historic Site just two miles east of downtown Nashville.

5 browncounty.com | 800.753.3255 Want to get away from it all? BROWN COUNTY Encompassing nearly 16,000 acres of ravines, ridges, and uninterrupted forestland, Brown County State Park is the perfect place to unwind. Ride 30 miles of award-winning mountain biking trails that weave through the hardwoods. Take a hike through dense to meet the skyline. Visit the Saddle Barn and let your horse do the state rest. And don’t forget to bring your camera because the hills and valleys are spectacularly beautiful, regardless of the season. After the sun has set, spend your evening eating s'mores around a fire at the campgrounds. park Or cozy into a cabin tucked away in the woods. Whatever the adventure, let Brown County State Park help you relax, reset, and recharge!

BROWN COUNTY STATE PARK 1810 EAST STATE ROAD 46, NASHVILLE 812.988.6406 IN.gov/DNR/ParkLake/2988.htm

Abe Martin Lodge Saddle Barn

Limekiln Trail

Brown County Outdoor Guide 6 GNAW BONE CAMP Forests, Trails, 1888 SOUTH STATE ROAD 135, NASHVILLE 812.988.4852 (CALL AHEAD) & Parks IndyTriple.Tripod.com/GnawBone.html

While Gnaw Bone Camp is best known as a BROWNING MOUNTAIN long-standing summer camp for girls, it also COMBS ROAD, NASHVILLE has welcomed mountain bikers for nearly 40 BrownCounty.com/Listing/Browning-Mountain years. The camp includes a 25-mile web of raw trails that, back in the day, were the singletrack High above the ghost town of Elkinsville, on top of teaching grounds for dozens of old-school Browning Hill, sits Indiana’s mysterious Stonehenge. Hoosier bikers. For those looking for mountain You are likely to hear locals refer to the hill as biking outside the boundaries of Brown County “Browning Mountain.” At its peak, prepare to be State Park, this backwoods alternative is heavily stunned by the circular arrangement of limestone wooded with steep, technical climbs and fast boulders, a stone that is not native to the area. descents. After a ride on this track, you’ll leave Though there are countless theories and tales, it is Gnaw Bone Camp exhilarated and exhausted. still unknown of how the heavy rocks landed on top of Browning Mountain. While the trek takes a mere HITZ-RHODEHAMEL NATURE PRESERVE 20 minutes, the sight at the top of the hill is worth 996 FREEMAN RIDGE ROAD, NASHVILLE the climb. 1.855.812.4453 bit.ly/Hitz-RhodehamelNaturePreserve DEER RUN PARK 1001 DEER RUN LANE, NASHVILLE Want to know a secret? Hitz-Rhodehamel Nature 812.988.5522 Preserve has a hike that is a hidden gem. In BCParksRec.com the spring, hikers can trek through blankets of wildflowers. And come October, the forest puts If your kids are cranky and restless from too much its spectacular autumn colors on full display. shopping and antiquing, spend an hour or two While only three miles long, the trail offers a variety at Deer Run Park! It is located just three short of challenges for everyone in your family. But be minutes west of the center of town. Play a game sure to take a map and watch the trail markers of P-I-G at the basketball court. Drift down the closely, as the route crisscrosses a variety of old river in a kayak. Let the kids unwind and have and unused paths. After you experience the beauty fun on the playground. Or maybe challenge each and solitude at Hitz-Rhodehamel, you, too, will want other to a volleyball game. Time for a bite to to keep this special place all to yourself! eat? Hop on the grills for an afternoon barbeque. After a visit to Deer Run Park, your kids will be ready to go shopping and antiquing again! 811 CONSTITUTION AVENUE, BEDFORD 812.275.5987 fs.USDA.gov/Hoosier

This magnificent forest is more than a Hoosier landmark; it’s a national treasure. With over 200,000 acres of lush, mature forest and 27 well-maintained trails to explore, Hoosier National Forest features outdoor adventure for nearly everyone. Its tranquil woods are home to countless species of wildlife and rare ecosystems. You can reconnect with nature by backpacking Hickory Ridge Trail, fishing on a river, mountain biking on Nebo Ridge, or nesting into a . After you’ve spent a day or two in Hoosier National Forest, you’ll agree that its name says it all.

Deer Run Park

7 browncounty.com | 800.753.3255 Hoosier National Forest

KNOBSTONE TRAIL SALT CREEK TRAIL CLARK, SCOTT, AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES 1001 DEER RUN LANE, NASHVILLE 317.232.4200 812.988.5522 HoosierHikersCouncil.org/Knobstone-Trail BCParksRec.com/Salt-Creek-Trail

Named after the unique mound of land over which Stroll to and from downtown Nashville with it runs, this 48-mile trail is Indiana’s longest ease on the Salt Creek Trail. The path is natural-surface footpath. While the hills are Brown County’s first paved trail and is great for relatively low in elevation, the ruggedness of the casual walking, running, or biking! While the path region offers an excellent opportunity to get in shape is only three-fourths of a mile long, it is lined for trips to more mountainous areas. Knobstone with scenery so beautiful, you’ll stop every few is a popular backcountry hiking trail that follows steps to soak it all in. No matter if you’re three high ridges to incredibly scenic vistas. And keep or 83, you’ll love the short, but oh-so-sweet, a watchful eye! On a clear day, you might be able Salt Creek Trail. to see all the way to Louisville and the . Visit the website to learn more and find a trailhead. STONE HEAD NATURE PRESERVE 4645 WEST BELLSVILLE PIKE, NASHVILLE LAURA HARE NATURE PRESERVE 812.340.5077 VALLEY BRANCH ROAD, NASHVILLE bit.ly/StoneHeadNaturePreserve 812.336.5382 This 122-acre, privately-owned property is home to SycamoreLandTrust.org/Downey-Hill nearly 200 species of birds, including a magnificent Hike through undisturbed Brown County bald eagle! Begin your adventure at the Zimmerman forestland at the Laura Hare Nature Preserve. Wetland where a variety of , insects, and This incredible old growth forest has almost amphibians share the same habitat. Then venture to the north edge of the property where you’ll hike 600 acres of protected habitats that are home through wide open meadows punctuated with to a variety of songbirds, raptors, and box turtles. wildflowers and diverse plant life. If the natural The preserve features a picturesque 6-mile beauty alone doesn’t take your breath away, the trail that strategically weaves past mossy wells, preserve is sprinkled with unique art sculptures scenic ponds, and non-native rock formations that contrast with the trails. brought to the region by . The Laura Hare Nature Preserve welcomes hikers of all TECUMSEH TRAIL levels of experience; even your furry, four-legged MORGAN AND BROWN COUNTIES family friends! 812.988.7945 HoosierHikersCouncil.org/Tecumseh-Trail NEBO RIDGE TRAIL HOOSIER NATIONAL FOREST You won’t need the same courage and resolve that 1.855.812.4453 distinguishes the career of Shawnee Chief Tecumseh bit.ly/NeboRidgeTrailHNF when you hike the 42-mile trail that bears his name. But you will need to climb ridge tops, cross several Get back to nature on the challenging Nebo Ridge creeks, and wind in and out of ravines and hollows Trail. Located in Hoosier National Forest, this to explore one of the most beautiful and remote ridge-top trail is quite a rollercoaster. Featuring long hardwood forests in the Midwest. Built by hikers, climbs and some gratifying downhills, Nebo Ridge for hikers, Tecumseh is the signature trail of Brown Trail is the perfect backcountry trek to get your County. Visit the website to learn more and find heart racing. This in-and-out, up-and-down path a trailhead. consists of almost nine miles of rolling terrain, and is shared by hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders alike. Visit the website to learn more and find a trailhead.

Brown County Outdoor Guide 8 TREVLAC BLUFFS NATURE PRESERVE IN-45, NASHVILLE 81.336.5382 Trevlac Bluffs Nature Preserve SycamoreLandTrust.org/Trevlac-Bluffs Named after the steep bluff that protects a rare stand of eastern hemlock trees, Trevlac Bluffs Nature Preserve will soon become one of your favorite destinations. Outdoor lovers from near and far come to Trevlac Bluffs to hike through the grove of hemlocks nested above beautiful Beanblossom Creek. You can follow the historic, 11-mile Yellowwood Trail through the property, or take a shorter loop through the bottomland that offers a remarkable upward view of the bluff. No matter the time of year, visiting the mighty hemlocks is essential to your Brown County experience. Visit the website to learn more and find a trailhead.

YELLOWWOOD STATE FOREST 772 SOUTH YELLOWWOOD ROAD, NASHVILLE 812.988.7945 IN.gov/DNR/Forestry/4817.htm

Hikers of every age always feel welcome at , located seven miles west of Nashville, just north of State Road 46. For a day Lakes you won’t soon forget, take a hike on the 4.5-mile loop around Yellowwood Lake. It’s one of the most popular and aesthetically rewarding hikes in the forest, offering spectacular views down the steep 7599 NORTH TUNNEL ROAD, UNIONVILLE ravines that border pristine Yellowwood Lake. And 812.334.0233 don’t forget to bring your fishing rods! Yellowwood LakeLemon.org Lake is known near and far for its excellent fishing. If you enjoy camping out, your family can While other lakes in the county are more popular, pitch a tent at a traditional camp site. And if they Lake Lemon offers visitors a more serene ride horseback, they can explore over 23,000 experience. This 1,650-acre fresh water lake, acres of beautiful forest. Get back to the roots of located in northwest Brown County, is one of southern Indiana at Yellowwood State Forest. Indiana’s top bass fisheries. For the best view of the lake, hike the loop that surrounds it. The trail can be accessed from Riddle Point Park, which also has a beach, shelter house, and bathhouse. If you’re looking to get away from it all, a great place to relax and unwind is Lake Lemon.

MONROE LAKE 4850 SOUTH STATE ROAD 446, BLOOMINGTON 812.837.9546 IN.gov/DNR/ParkLake/2954.htm

Say hello to your favorite new family vacation destination! Discover a little slice of Midwestern paradise at Monroe Lake, a beautiful place to spend sunny summer days tubing, water skiing, and fishing. The lake is home to a number of bait shops, boat rentals, and beautifully-groomed beaches to accommodate all of your lake life needs. Monroe is Indiana’s largest inland lake with almost 11,000 acres of cool, fresh water surrounded by nearly five miles of picturesque hiking trails. And to top it off, restaurants and shops are just a stone’s throw away. Monroe Lake Pair all of that with the area’s 300 and you’ve found the perfect spot for a family getaway!

9 browncounty.com | 800.753.3255 Visit browncounty.com to plan your outdoor adventure today, or call 800.753.3255.

Yellowwood State Forest

Brown County Outdoor Guide 10 BROWN COUNTY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU 211 SOUTH VAN BUREN STREET, NASHVILLE, IN 1.800.753.3255 812.988.7303 BrownCounty.com