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Reviews for Hoosier National Forest - Monk's Mule and Horse Camp
(click on name for more information)
Norman, IN

Overall TRAIL RATING with 23 votes:
Overall CAMP RATING with 24 votes:
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Individual Reviews

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I've camped at Monks more than a dozen times for the past 6 or 7 years and at first I thought Mr. Monk was pretty grumpy but he's not. Once you get to know him and his wife they feel like grandparents. I'm a teen and I love to camp with my friends there and as long as we follow the rules and keep relatively quiet its not bad at all. As long as you're mature you'll have no problems whatsoever.
Reviewed by: Sarah on 10/12/2012 9:58:30 AM
 Experience: Intermediate Ride Date: 8/17/2012 Hometown: Scott County, IN

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The trails are awesome, but the portable pot was disgusting, had to cover your face just to get in the door. The smell is so bad. You get nasty looks from the permanent campers there is any bad remark in made. Very defensive.And you have to get the shake down from Monk himself when you sign in. We are all over 50, come on already.
Reviewed by: CLH on 8/25/2012 7:47:49 AM
 Experience: Intermediate Ride Date: 7/25/2011 Hometown: Auburn, IN

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This year Monk's will only be renting sites for seasonal campers only. Not selling passes, but you can buy them in Kurtz at Cafe 58 on your way into the Hoosier National Forest
Reviewed by: mm on 2/26/2011 12:41:09 PM
 Experience: Intermediate Ride Date: 12/31/2010 Hometown: Norman, IN

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First of all I have 4 children and 3 poodles. And Jean and Marty are wonderful. They had a great halloween party for the kids. All they want is other campers without pets and children not be bothered so if your kids or pets are out of control camp some place else other wise you will get along with them great. Its so nice to turn in early and not have a bunch of loud mouths keep you up all night. As far as the cornfield remark we have a 36 foot trailor and have no problem getting in and out. the one intrance is steep but he (jean) has had work done to that this year. Jean and marty has been so helpful to us I dont want to go any place else.
Reviewed by: shelley on 1/14/2011 1:14:13 PM
 Experience: Intermediate Ride Date: 10/15/2010 Hometown: salem , IN

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Monks is a great place to stay, we do have a seasonal site, however they do still have some spots that can be reserved for a week or weekend. Jean and Marty are very accommadating and the campground is always clean. The trails are nice and easy to get to. My husband and I are under 50 and never had a problem with the Monks. Very nice people!
Reviewed by: Betty on 11/5/2010 7:50:53 AM
 Experience: Not Specified Ride Date: 10/29/2010 Hometown: Muncie, IN

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Stayed at Monk's last season (for deer season) and will definitly stay there for this upcoming season. I found Monk to be a very nice guy and was great to talk to and hear all of his old hunting stories... I have heard from others on here that Monk is "not very nice to people under 50".... I'm 36 and maybe since I was respectful and watched my manners is why I didn't have a problem! Monk we'll see ya in a couple weeks!
Reviewed by: Garry on 10/25/2010 12:33:51 PM
 Experience: Intermediate Ride Date: 11/1/2009 Hometown: , IN

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We camped at Monks one night. It's about like camping in a corn field. We tore up our hitch exiting the camp (really short steep hill that bent the hitch). We were told not to move the fire pit, oddly most of them were positioned near the road, so we picked a site where the pit was more in the middle of the camp site. The out-house was disgusting. We camped down wind and could smell it throughout the night. You have to ride your horse a bit down a gravel road to enter most of the trails. The owners were friendly to us, and you can buy your bridle tags there. We would return if other campgrounds were full, but it certainly wouldn't be our first choice.
Reviewed by: Donna on 9/7/2009 2:41:41 PM
 Experience: Beginner Ride Date: 6/12/2009 Hometown: Bloomington, IN

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monk is a cranky old man who doesn't like children or dogs,toilets smelled worse than porta potty at a nascar race,trails were good but would not go back until someone else owns it,preferably someone less hateful to youngsters and people under 50,also do not use the garbage barrel next to the outhouse,it is for sanitary products only (50 GALLON DRUM)!!!!!!!
Reviewed by: jim on 4/13/2009 4:13:15 PM
 Experience: Expert Ride Date: 7/15/2007 Hometown: new carlisle, IN

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Reviewed by: Anonymous on 4/7/2009 8:00:18 AM
 Experience: Not Specified Ride Date: 1/1/2004 Hometown: , KY

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WE went to Monk's with friend in October of 2008 and we very pleased with everything about Monk's. It was very quiet and friendly. It was nice to gather around the fire and listen to all the knowledge from differant people and their horses. We are getting ready to send in our seasonal payment to become part of the family. I would recommend Monk,s if you are looking for a nice place to get away and enjoy nature and some down home folk.
Reviewed by: Terry on 3/8/2009 8:38:12 AM
 Experience: Intermediate Ride Date: 10/14/2008 Hometown: Cambridge City, IN

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We stayed in July at Monk's and thought it is a great place. The owner's take great pride in keeping the campground sites and restrooms very clean. Trails are great !! Been twice to Monk's and would YES go again.
Reviewed by: Missy on 10/26/2008 5:46:47 PM
 Experience: Not Specified Ride Date: 1/1/2004 Hometown: Pendleton, KY

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Jean and Marty showed us a great time at their camp. I would highly recomend a stay at Monks to ride the backside of the Hoosier. The trails are all close by the camp ground.
Reviewed by: Rich Ferguson on 10/20/2008 11:00:55 AM
 Experience: Not Specified Ride Date: 1/1/2004 Hometown: Kokomo, IN

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Monk's still has about 10 sites to rent out. They don't sell the trail passes, so get yours before or check w/owners 1st; I sent money and they got mine for me. Its a great place to stay and the Forest is great. Seasonal sites available..check them out!
Reviewed by: mc on 7/28/2008 5:46:25 AM
 Experience: Intermediate Ride Date: 6/8/2008 Hometown: , OH

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Monk's has gone to private campgrounds and does not rent sites on a weekend or daily basis and they are not selling bridle tags anymore. They have year round campsites now so you better call before you go.
Reviewed by: Yvette on 5/20/2008 12:09:18 PM
 Experience: Intermediate Ride Date: 1/1/2004 Hometown: Hobbieville, IN

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Went camping at Monks for the first time in Oct of 2007. Not only did Jean and Marty make me feel welcome but the other campers did to. So before I left I became part of their seasonal camping family and rented a spot for 2008. Can't wait to get back down there this spring. Oh also Im under 50..
Reviewed by: Teresa Schrader on 12/28/2007 6:57:31 PM
 Experience: Not Specified Ride Date: 1/1/2000 Hometown: Dublin, IN

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The campground and owners were very nice (we are under 50). Permanent guests were extremely helpful with getting a trailer tire repaired. The trails were great! We made several new friends! The only negative is the toilets. I would suggest taking your own porta pot...
Reviewed by: Anonymous on 10/15/2007 8:03:57 AM
 Experience: Intermediate Ride Date: 10/12/2007 Hometown: Veedersburg, IN

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This was our first time to Hoosier and Monk's. We found Jean and Marty to be great hosts. Had a flat on the trailer on the way down and they helped us locate a new tire. Even suplied tools to change the spare. Grounds very well taken care of and extreamly clean. Loved the fact that rules keep the place quiet and relaxing in the evenings. Nothing is more fustrating than having loud roudy campers who are just there for the party. Can't wait to go back.
Reviewed by: G.M. on 8/15/2007 8:53:09 AM
 Experience: Expert Ride Date: 8/15/2007 Hometown: Valparaiso, IN

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First time campers and was "putinour place" right off. Loved the trails but will not go back to this camp. Toilets were so bad hated to go into them. If you want to be reminded that 10:00pm is in 10 minutes camp at Monks.
Reviewed by: DR on 7/11/2007 11:46:43 AM
 Experience: Not Specified Ride Date: 7/11/2007 Hometown: Lafayette, IN

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This is the first time for us at Monks and I have to say it was the worst. The toilet facilities are awful, there were no picnic tables to eat on, and the owners were not very friendly to the "younger" riders. Will choose another place next time.
Reviewed by: sweetie's mamma on 7/10/2007 6:49:35 AM
 Experience: Intermediate Ride Date: 7/7/2007 Hometown: , IN

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Campground decent but did not care for the owner. Did not make you feel welcome and I will not go back. Love the Hoosier National but will stay elsewhere next time.
Reviewed by: Widow Creek Jack on 7/9/2007 6:48:00 PM
 Experience: Expert Ride Date: 7/7/2007 Hometown: Lafayette, IN

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We love Monks campgrounds, and we are under 50 years old. The camp rules are very appropriate to keeping everyone safe and having a quiet enjoyable stay. We recommend it to all our friends. The trails are the best in Indiana.
Reviewed by: Kim on 7/3/2007 2:50:45 PM
More reviews by Kim 		Experience: Intermediate Ride Date: 7/3/2007 Hometown: Bedford, IN

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Clean park but owners hateful to people under 50. Must be out early on Sunday or pay for another day. Would go again if new owners purchased.
Reviewed by: Drew Lamaster on 5/22/2007 12:35:44 AM
 Experience: Not Specified Ride Date: 5/22/2007 Hometown: henryville, IN

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Wonderful people! Beautiful campgrounds. If you remember the condition of the Circle S, Monk's just doesn't compare! Wonderful trails in the HNF.
Reviewed by: Kelley Rowe on 7/19/2006 10:51:02 PM
 Experience: Intermediate Ride Date: 7/19/2006 Hometown: Indianapolis, IN

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i have stayed with the monk's several times in past always the cleanest , nicest , and friedliest place to stay and ride , great trails and camping area , i have done all the others , midwest , brownstown , corydon but MONKS is the best by far , of course the more I RAVE THE CROWDEDER IT GETS so leave me a space when you go !!
Reviewed by: mike albright on 10/26/2005 12:12:37 PM
 Experience: Intermediate Ride Date: 9/24/2005 Hometown: madison , IN

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The new owners have made many new improvements to this good campground. Marty and Jean have done a wonderful job to make this campground very enjoyable. You could not ask for more hospitable hosts. Some of the old campsites are still awful small but this camp gets better everyday. Trails are well marked, easy to follow and intertwine with each other to make easy short rides or all day affairs. Hickory Grove Church is a must stop and see. For us Trail 18 was worth the whole trip.
Reviewed by: Bill & Laurie on 5/27/2005 8:29:52 PM
 Experience: Expert Ride Date: Hometown: Dyer, IN

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Very nice campground, owners were very helpful and accomadating. Several sites were very small for us with large rigs with tie outs too close to camping area, but owners are supposed to be remodeling some spaces (They acquired property july 04). We plan to go back soon!
Reviewed by: Lora on 2/13/2005 2:56:59 PM
 Experience: Not Specified Ride Date: 2/13/2005 Hometown: Corydon, IN

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Just got back from Midwest Trail Ride and wanted to share my experience. The campground is very nice, mostly designed for pull-in rigs, with a stall supplied for each horse. The place was clean and hospitable with access to Hoosier Natl Forest. Trails have had a lot of maintenance done to them, and for the most part were fabulous. We definately needed more than the three days we allowed for ourselves to see all of the trails. A definate great destination.
Reviewed by: Marianne on 8/4/2004 6:12:56 PM
 Experience: Intermediate Ride Date: 8/1/2004 Hometown: Holland, OH