National park · United States
Brown County State Park
Go on a weekday in October for the leaf colour, or any weekday in May–June for quiet trails; arrive before 9:00, pay the $7–$9 per-vehicle gate fee, and walk Trail 8 or the Taylor Ridge loop rather than driving the loop road at noon.Go on a weekday in October for the leaf colour, or any weekday in May–June for quiet trails; arrive before 9:00 AM, pay the $7–$9 per-vehicle gate fee, and walk Trail 8 or the Taylor Ridge loop rather than driving the loop road at noon.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
63 km²24 sq mi
approximate
Established
1929
Best months
May, Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 63 km²24 sq mi
- About 15,700 acres (check); the largest of Indiana's state parks.
- Established
- 1929
- Best months
- May, Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Brown County State Park is the largest of Indiana's state parks: about 15,700 acres of ridge-and-valley hardwood forest just east of Bloomington, next to the arts town of Nashville. Founded in 1929, it packs eighteen numbered trails, two small fishing lakes, a stone-and-timber lodge, a campground, bridle paths and roughly 20 miles of mountain-bike singletrack behind one gate on SR 46. It is a state park, not a national park, so there is no America the Beautiful pass at the gate — you pay a per-vehicle daily fee or buy the Indiana annual pass. Peak pressure is leaf season in October, when the loop road and the lodge fill on weekends; May and June give the same trails with a fraction of the traffic.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1929.
Size and age
63 km²24 sq mi · national park since 1929
About 15,700 acres (check); the largest of Indiana's state parks.
Why go
- Ridge-and-valley forest on the edge of the Nashville arts town, 20 minutes from Bloomington.
- Eighteen numbered trails, from flat lake loops to steep ridge climbs, all inside one gate.
- Weed Patch Hill, one of the highest points in Indiana, with views over farmland and wooded valleys.
- Deer, wild turkey and pileated woodpeckers are common along the roads and trails.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanCold, ice on trails; lodge is quiet
- FebMud and freeze-thaw; few services
- MarEarly wildflowers; trails wet
- AprDogwood and redbud; light crowds
- MayGreen, mild, waterfalls running
- JunWarm; go early, pool opens
- JulHot and humid; afternoon storms
- AugHottest month; ticks and chiggers
- SepCooling; colour starts late month
- OctPeak leaf colour; the busiest weeks
- NovBare trees, empty trails, cold nights
- DecLodge and inns busy at holidays; ice possible
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deerAll year · Common near roads and picnic areas; do not feed them. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Wild turkey and pileated woodpeckerMar–May, Sep–Nov | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Spring wildflowersApr–May | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Ticks and chiggersMay–Sep · Long trousers and repellent on grassy trails. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Indianapolis
I-65 south to Exit 68, then west on SR 46 to the park entrance.
1–1.25 h
Open the page →
From Bloomington
SR 46 east through Nashville to the park gate.
25–35 min
Open the page →
From Louisville
I-65 north, then west on SR 46.
1.75–2 h
Open the page →
From Nashville, Indiana
Shops and inns of the town are 5 min from the gate; walk or drive in.
5 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| North entrance and Abe Martin Lodge | Gatehouse, lodge, dining room, pool, interpretive centre and the start of several trails. | Open with the gate fee. |
| Ogle Lake and Strahl Lake | Two small fishing lakes with easy loops and picnic areas. | Open; fishing licence required. |
| Taylor Ridge and Weed Patch Hill | The high southern ridge and the park's best long views. | Open on foot or bike; steep in places. |
| Horse and mountain-bike trail network | Bridle paths and about 20 miles of mountain-bike trail on the west side. | Open; bikes and horses on their own signed routes only. |
Sketch map
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gate fee, Indiana-plated vehicle | US$7 | vehicle | 2026 estimate; per day (check) |
| Gate fee, out-of-state vehicle | US$9 | vehicle | 2026 estimate; per day (check) |
| Walk-in or bike-in entry | US$2 | person | 2026 estimate (check) |
| Annual Indiana state park pass | US$50 | vehicle | 2026 estimate; pays off after about six visits (check) |
| Camping, electric site | US$25–45 | night | 2026 estimate; seasonal rates, book ahead |
| Abe Martin Lodge room | US$110–200 | night | 2026 estimate; higher in October |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Gate entry permit or guide
Fishing licence permit or guide
Horseback riding no permit
Camping and lodge permit or guide
Park rules
- Alcohol
- Not allowed anywhere in the park; drink in Nashville instead.
- Feeding wildlife
- Do not feed the deer or any other animal, however tame they look.
- Pets
- Allowed on leashes on most trails, but not on bridle paths or in the pool area.
- Trail closures
- Mountain-bike and horse trails close when wet; obey posted signs.
- Hunting
- Managed deer hunts close parts of the park on set dates in season (check).check
Where to stay
In the park
Abe Martin Lodge
Stone-and-timber lodge inside the park with rooms, cabins and a dining room.
In the park
Campground
Electric and primitive sites inside the park; reserve well ahead for October.
Near the park
Nashville inns and cabins
B&Bs, cabins and motels in and around Nashville, 5–15 min from the gate.
Near the park
Bloomington hotels
More rooms and lower prices 25–35 min west.
Safety
Ice and wet leaves on trails medium
Heat and humidity medium
Ticks medium
Deer on the road low
Accessibility
- The lodge, interpretive centre, picnic areas and Ogle Lake area have paved paths and parking.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on signed trails; shortcutting causes erosion on the steep ridges.
- Pack out rubbish; bins are limited away from picnic areas.
- Do not feed deer — it changes their behaviour and spreads disease.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Brown County State Park?
The gate fee is about $7 per vehicle for Indiana plates and about $9 for out-of-state plates, per day (2026 estimate). Walk-in or bike-in entry is around $2 per person. An annual Indiana state park pass costs about $50 and pays off after roughly six visits.
What are the best hikes in Brown County State Park?
Trail 8 from Ogle Lake is the classic half-day loop, about 3 miles of ridge and ravine. The Taylor Ridge loop is the longest and hardest walk, 2.5–3.5 hours. For a short outing, the walk to Weed Patch Hill gives one of the highest viewpoints in Indiana in under an hour.
When is the best time to visit Brown County State Park?
May and June for green forest and mild weather, and October for leaf colour. October weekends are the busiest weeks of the year — arrive before 9:00 or come on a weekday. January and February are quiet but icy and muddy.
Do I need a permit or pass?
No permit beyond the gate fee. Fishing at Ogle or Strahl Lake needs an Indiana fishing licence. Camping and lodge rooms must be reserved in advance, especially for October.
Can I drink alcohol in the park?
No. Alcohol is not allowed anywhere in Brown County State Park. Nashville, 5 minutes from the gate, has bars and restaurants.
Is the park good for mountain biking?
Yes — there are about 20 miles of signed mountain-bike trails. They close when the surface is wet, so check conditions at the gate before unloading.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go