Southern Indiana State Parks

[Super Bee]

Last fall we took the motorhome to southern Indiana for a state park trip. Brown County sits on top of a huge hill, and has great scenery. The park itself is huge, the largest park in Indiana if I am not mistaken. Lots of stuff to do and see. Hiking, climbing, trails, look out points, swimming, and really nice lodge. It sits just outside of Nashville Indiana, a great little town. A family can spend an entire day there with lots of shops, and great places to eat. Spring Mill is also another great state park. It does not have the huge hills of Brown County, but a very nice park anyway. It has great trails, hiking, swimming and a large lodge. The real gem of Spring Mill is its real working grist mill and pioneer village. Everyday of the week the village is staffed by workers dressed in period costumes. Inside the mill is a pioneer museum. There is no extra cost to go through the mill or village. It has two caves if I remember. One is permanently closed, the other you take a guided boat tour through, kinda cool, but is seasonal and was closed when we were there last fall. Outside of the park itself, there is not much to do in the area. Brown County would get my vote just for the fact that Nashville is a neat little town which offers a family a little more to do.

 

[longbarrel]

Shakamak State Park... Jasonville. Kinda Southwest, but very nice and has all you want plus more.

 

[rgrimm01]

Garden of the Gods in southern Ill. (but they do have strict gun laws).


Garden of the Gods - Southern Illinois - Shawnee Forest

My Lady and I drove down there one day (quite a drive) and was amazed that you could climb onto the rocks and sit there watching the various raptors flying over the forest. I would suggest bringing powerful optics to be able to identify the birds.

 

[Indy317]

I would say that for Indiana, Brown Co. SP would be a good bet. For starters, you have plenty of outdoor stuff to do. In addition, you can check out the tiny town of Nashville, IN. You could also drive about 20-30 mins. and check out either Columbus or Bloomington, IN. Edinburgh, IN isn't too far away either, and you could check out Not Just Popcorn in town, or visit the outlet mall and/or Exit 76 Antique Mall.

With KY, you will have a long drive, but I've heard their state parks are above that with what Indiana can offer. The Daniel Boone Nat'l. Forest has tons of things available. The northern section offers the Red River Gorge area (near Slade, KY) as well as Natural Bridge State Resort Park.

 

[fochman]

We just booked a camground site for a week in June at this campground near Garden of the Gods.

Whittington Woods Campground at Benton (formerly Benton Best Holiday Trav-L-Park)

 

[TaunTaun]

Brown County by far. Good for camping, hiking, riding horse, going shooting, and getting off the grid for awhile.

 

[Fordtough25]

I enjoy Clifty Falls quite a bit! Nothing wrong with brown county either.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

McCormick's Creek.

Very fond memories.

DNR: McCormick's Creek