Three words that describe one of the best-kept secrets of Midwestern mountain biking. However, Brown
County won't be a secret for long. It's been designed from scratch by mountain bikers for
mountain bikers. With miles and miles of flowing trail, scenic vistas, and amazing terrain Brown County is poised to
become a world-class mountain biking destination. Who new that mountain biking could be this fun...in Indiana no less!
In its March, 2008 issue Bike Magazine said that Brown County has "flowed-out berms, tight switchbacks
and hand-built rock features that will leave you thinking you landed in Tsali [North Carolina] or Canaan [West Virginia].
Ride an out-and-back, and you've got 30-plus miles. Switchbacks? Plenty. Steep climbs? Just like the East Coast. Natural beauty?
It's at an all-time high in the fall."
The Brown County mountain bike trail system is located entirely within Brown County State Park. It
is Indiana's largest state park. Since 2004, the Hoosier Mountain Bike Association has been hard at work building some of the best singletrack trails around. With two loops and three connector
trails already complete, Brown County State Park has almost 20 miles of trail with much more to come.
Brown County has already played host to several very successful mountain bike events including the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Annual
Brown County Breakdown Epic Ride, multiple IMBA Trail Care Crew visits, the Midwest Women's Clinic and Expo, The Hesitation Point Challenge, and a DINO race. Next year's 2008 schedule will be very busy with a DINO race on Sunday, June 1, the return of the Midwest Women's Clinic and Expo on Saturday, June 7, and the Brown County
Breakdown Epic Ride on Sunday, October 12.
The future holds a lot of promise for mountain biking in Brown County. With the award of a $150,000 Recreational Trails Program Grant additional trails are right now being professionally built by hardworking volunteers and professional
trail builders. This is the largest federal grant ever received by a non-profit mountain bike club in the United
States. It is an exciting time for mountain bikers in Indiana and the Midwest as Brown County is becoming
a well known destination with some of the best built trails in the country.
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Directions to Trailheads
Brown County State Park is located in south-central Indiana between Bloomington and Columbus in Nashville, Indiana.
To reach the main trailhead and entrance, enter the park through the North Gate Entrance, located off of State Road 46
just east of >Nashville. The mountain bike parking lot is just past the gatehouse and pool on the right. Shaded
parking areas with restroom facilities are also located at the Lower and Upper Shelter areas. For those accessing
the park through the West entrance there is trail access (advanced skill level) at Hesitation Point. For those staying
in the state park camprounds, there is trail access just off the rally campground parking lot near the Ogle Hollow Nature
Preserve Trail trailhead. Park visitors that are staying at the Abe Martin Lodge or the Family Cabins can access the
mountain bike trail system across the road from the North Lookout Tower. Finally, there are two small trail
access points with limited parking at Walnut Shelter and at Hoosier's Nest.
Details
Almost 20 miles of trail (additional mileage currently being added)
- Beginner Level Trails: Parking Lot Connector, North Tower Loop, Campground to Hoosier's Nest
- Intermediate Level Trails: Aynes Loop
- Advanced Trails: Hesitation Point to Aynes Loop Connector, Hesitation Point to Hoosier's Nest
All the trails are shared with hikers and trail runners. Please know and follow IMBA's Rules of The Trail.
The trail system is open year round.
The park is open from 6:00 am - 11:00 p.m.
Night riding is allowed until the park closes at 11 p.m.
Caution: All of the locals know to roll "Sub-9". If you use the North
Gate Entrance, you must go through a covered bridge over Salt Creek. Headroom clearance is only 9 feet. Large
trucks, vans, campers or RV's may not make it through. If you have a roof rack with bikes or gear on top, be aware of
the height of your vehicle. If your vehicle will not clear, you will have to use the West Gate Entrance,
located west of Nashville on Highway 46. The Horseman's Camp Entrance on the south side of the park cannot be used to
enter. It is for the horse camp only.
