As recently as 2004 there were absolutely no mountain bike trails in Brown County State Park.  How does a place go from nothing to one of the premier trail systems in North America in five years?  Volunteers get organized, they network, they find huge amounts of funding, and most importantly they get down and dirty with back-breaking trail work.  Since 2004 the leadership and members of the Hoosier Mountain Bike Association have been slaving away to create a very special place for mountain bikers to enjoy.

 

Jonathan Juillerat is one of many people that has been instrumental in making the Brown County State Park mountain bike trail system a reality.  Currently, he is the marketing guru for the trails, and he's given himself the unofficial title of "Vibe Purveyor".  "It's really rare in mountain biking that you are handed a huge, amazing palette of land that is nearly untouched.  It is one of the most beautiful and stunning pieces of land not just in Indiana, but the entire Midwest." says Juillerat.  The area is often called the "Little Smokies" as the terrain in the area resembles a smaller version of the Smoky Mountains that lie a half-day drive to the east.

 

The area has long been a popular tourist destination for outdoor recreation, music and art.  The sleepy, historic tourist town of Nashville is just two miles away from the trailhead.  Since the early 1900's it has been home to a thriving artist colony.  The area also has a rich bluegrass music tradition.  A few miles north of Nashville is tiny Bean Blossom, where bluegrass legend Bill Monroe began his annual bluegrass festival in 1965.  Brown County State Park is one of the most well-known features of the county, and at over 16,000 acres it is the largest state park in Indiana.  The county is also home to a small part of the gigantic 200,000 acre Hoosier National Forest, one of the largest and best-preserved swaths of contiguous forest in the Midwest.

 

In just a few short years the area has also been recognized for its world-class mountain biking.  The trail system in Brown County State Park is the crown jewel of riding opportunities with over 25 miles of trails in the current system.  The HMBA envisions a completed system of at least 40-50 miles of trails, and they are constantly adding more.  The nearby national forest trails and two privately-owned trail systems add another 100 miles to the mix.  There are also many miles of dirt and gravel backcountry roads that are easily explored by mountain bike.

 

Although there are lots of trails in the area, Juillerat says that it's the quality of the state park trail system that is the biggest draw.  "The quality of the trail construction is really stunning.  It's obvious after you ride here that the trails were very well designed and built.  Also, one of the best assets of the state park trails is that there is really something for every level of mountain biker.  Whether you're a first-timer or an experienced pro, you're in for a grin-fest."

 

 

Juillerat rides the trails at Brown County on a frequent basis.  He and his wife also own Sub-9 Productions, a company that runs and promotes multiple mountain biking events in Brown County State Park.

 

"Schooner Trace is our newest trail, and it's the crown jewel of statewide trailbuilding efforts so far," Juillerat says.  "It's a double-black diamond trail with some big penalties for failure.  It's really taking everyone's riding to the next level around here.  A visitor from Colorado remarked that it was 'unnecessarily difficult', which we all had a good laugh about."  Juillerat recommends that any advanced rider that visits the area should combine Schooner Trace with Walnut Trail (his favorite) as part of their ride.

 

"Limekiln Trail is often overlooked because it is the furthest trail away from the main parking lot, and it is rated as a beginner trail.  Local riders use descriptor terms like 'roller-coaster' and 'downhill both ways' for this trail.  If you're camping in the park, this will be the first trail you hit.  Get ready to scream with joy."

 

"The Hesitation Point Trail is probably the most popular trail in the park.  The view at the top is gorgeous.  It's ridden as an out-and-back or a connector, and it features a two-mile climb or descent depending on your direction of travel.  It's labeled as a black diamond probably more for its length than its difficulty.  The downhill run takes around ten minutes for an experienced rider.  Watch out for oncoming traffic."

 

"Aynes Loop and North Tower Loop have always been the foundation for any good, long Brown County ride.  They were among the first trails built and their combination of fairly lengthy climbs and descents and their signature flow are in many ways the essence of the Brown County experience.  When the Green Valley Loop is opened in 2010 these three interconnected loops will provide a fantastic ride no matter what direction or order they are ridden."

 

"Most people park near the North Gate entrance.  One of my favorite downhill runs is the last one of the day down to the car.  As you head back on the North Tower Connector the last mile is a smokin' fast gravity run with a few jumps, some berms and a section of whoop-de-doos that will put an exclamation point on your day of riding."

 

"Outside of the state park trails the best alternative ride is the Nebo Ridge Trail in the Hoosier National Forest.  The trails in the HNF definitely have a more backcountry feel.  They're way more remote, rougher, and much less polished.  Connect the sixteen mile out-and-back of Nebo Ridge with trails 18, 19 and 20 of the Hickory Ridge trail system and you're in for a southern Indiana classic ride.  This route also happens to be part of the infamous Brown County Breakdown event that takes place every October."

 

 

Locals use everything from rigid singlespeeds to 6-inch travel freeride bikes.  Pick your own weapon.  Juillerat prefers gears and lots of suspension.  "It's really easy to put together a 4-6 hour ride around here, so I like to have some cushion underneath to keep me fresh.  I also like lots of gears, especially for the more steep and rough terrain in the Hoosier National Forest."

 

 

"Mid-April through Mid-November is the sweet spot.  Winter riding is hard to do with the vicious freeze/thaw cycles that keep the trail messy and fragile.  The trails in the state park drain rainfall very quickly, especially in the drier months of late summer and early fall.  The trails in the Hoosier National Forest don't handle rain nearly as well so avoid them unless it has been dry for a while.  It can get hot and humid in the summer so carry plenty of water with you.  The leaves and the tourists peak simultaneously in October."

 

 

Nashville and the surrounding cities of Columbus and especially Bloomington have tons of dining choices.  There's a bit of something for everyone.  Here are some of Juillerat's favorites that are close to the trails.

 

Breakfast: The Little Gem Restaurant in the Abe Martin Lodge in Brown County State Park is very convenient and close to the trails.  They have a breakfast buffet every morning from 7-10 a.m.  It's not gourmet, but it's a lot of down-home style food for a reasonable price. (812) 988-4418

 

Lunch: Casa del Sol Mexican restaurant is about a half-mile away from the park entrance and trail head.  Be forewarned, they don't have a liquor license so it's better as a lunch stop rather than a dinner stop.  (812) 988-4535

 

Dinner: Big Woods Brewing Company in downtown Nashville is mountain biker-friendly, has a cozy environment, and it is the only locally brewed beer on tap.  It is small, and it fills up quick during busy season.  (812-988-6000)

 

 

(812) 379-9005

1201 Washington St.

Columbus, IN 47201

17 Miles from the Trailhead (30 minute drive)

 

(812) 336-0241

401 E. 10th St.

Bloomington, IN 47408 

20 Miles from the Trailhead (35 minute drive)

 

 

Catch some local, regional or national bluegrass musicians at Bill Monroe's Bean Blossom just north of Nashville.  If rock-and-roll is more your style catch up-and-coming and national acts at The Bluebird Nightclub in nearby hip, young and vibrant Bloomington.  If you like art or architecture, Brown County is home to over 250 artists and several art galleries and nearby Columbus has been called "a veritable museum of modern architecture" by Smithsonian Magazine.  Other outdoor pursuits like hiking, road biking, bird watching, canoeing, kayaking, boating, fishing, horseback riding and paintball are plentiful with over 175,000 acres of forested land in the county and plenty of lakes and streams.