Travel Midwest Magazine Travel Midwest Digital ReplicaSUM17 | Page 14

B R O W N C O U N T Y S TAT E PA R K
The Brown County State Park, located in Indiana, is a beau-
tiful choice if you’re looking for the best of both worlds. The
miles and miles of untouched forest meets Nashville, Indiana,
a small, yet uniquely original artist’s-colony style town, com-
plete with bed and breakfasts, lodging, eclectic activities,
and plenty of accommodations for the outdoor enthusiast.
Mountain biking is a popular pastime in the area, and with
over 25 established miles of terrain and trails to ride through,
it is no wonder why people are heading to the state park.
The Brown County State Park is Indiana’s largest, and the
mountain biking trails have been designed “by mountain bik-
ers, for mountain bikers,” so if you’re looking for an authentic
ride, this is the place to go.
There are plenty of other activities to participate in within the
park, such as fishing, camping, hiking, swimming, horseback
riding, picnicking, and more. If you’re interested in staying
for a little while, try the Abbey Inn & Suites, the Hickory
Shade Motel, or the Abe Martin Lodge, which is actually lo-
12 | Summer 2017 | Travel Midwest
cated inside of the park, instead of on the outskirts. This al-
lows you to be fully submersed in the beauty of Brown
County State Park, without having to make a day trip out of
it each morning.
The Abe Martin Lodge is actually named after a cartoon char-
acter from the 1900s that was published in the Indianapolis
newspaper. Inside the lodge, you’ll notice the Little Gem
Restaurant, a full-service restaurant that also offers a buffet
and salad bar. There is free coffee 24/7 at the lodge and Wi-
Fi for those that simply cannot disconnect. The lodge and
the restaurant have quaint, small-town, rustic charm, and the
views are incredible! There are also cabins available in case
you wish to stay in a more secluded area away from the main
lodge and cook your own meals.
The park offers completely primitive camping, as well as
campgrounds with electricity and amenities. Depending on
what you’re searching for during your vacation, you’ll surely
find your niche in an area of the Brown County State Park.