Brown County State Park, near Columbus, IN
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I agree with the last reviewer, Kathy L., Brown County used to be the best destination to ride in Indiana but the state has not payed enough attention to the trails. They are a muddy muddy mess. They need to take a page from their counterpart, OBannon State Park: fix those trails and improve the people areas! I think all of us who frequent there, probably because it is the closest to our homes, wouldn't mind so much the problems with the human/horse comforts if they'd just invest more in the trails. This WAS a premiere horse riding destination, with lots of miles of trails but now not so much. We ride the forest trails more in this area just due to the better trail conditions. Oh, but they'll tell you they're working on the campground! See the occasional new manure bins? How about the occasional repaired hitching posts? Oh yeah, and they put in an RV dumping station! Oh and the best part of all these luxuries? The state raised the camping fees! As a public user of our great state's parks, USE THAT MONEY AND FIX THE HORSE AREAS!!!! Until then, I don't recommend this park unless the season has been very dry. Then and only then will the trails be enjoyable. |
| Reviewed by D Mac on 1/3/2017 11:15:24 AM |
Experience: Intermediate |
Ride Date: 10/26/2016 |
Hometown: Indianapolis, IN |
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Hoosier National Forest - The Mane Trails Horsemen's Campsites, near Paoli, IN
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Sadly, the Campground is closed and has been for some time. Springs Valley Lake is one of my favorite trails in Indiana. Beautiful in the fall. Trails are not difficult but shoes are necessary. There is a trailhead to park and ride from. It's 2 miles in to the main forest trail that circles Spring Valley lake. That trail is 8 miles making your total trek 12 miles. You'll need to purchase a state forest trail tag. If you need to camp, Youngs Creek primitive US Forsest campground is nearby. If you live in southern Indiana this is a must ride destination. |
| Reviewed by D Mac on 1/3/2017 10:39:10 AM |
Experience: Expert |
Ride Date: 11/13/2016 |
Hometown: Indianapolis, IN |
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O'Bannon Woods State Park (The State Park Facility, NOT Come Again Horse Camp), near Corydon, IN
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Awesome place!! Need more electric sites, it's a tight area; but if you can go primitive, that campground is beautiful. In my opinion the state needs to find the funding to add electric there. Bath houses are good at both electric and primitive sites. The trails have had major work done to them after lots of tornadic, ice storm and hurricane wind damage from several years ago. We stopped going because of the damage on the trails. Not now tho! The riding can be challenging but the scenery is beautiful and rewarding! The state needs to update the Blue River/Iron Bridge side of the horse trail map, for their expensive $10 HUGE map is incorrect only in that area. And the sad part is that the Blue River trail is the most beautiful part of their trail system! In fact, the trail map does not show the best trail leading out of the electric horsemen's camp! So carry a gps! Trails can be rough but there are moderate to easy ones too. Just recommend you go and explore. We have always been Indiana Brown County State Park horse trail fans, but this park blows them out of the water. It's a jewel in Indiana. Recommend your horses be shod and in shape. |
| Reviewed by D Mac on 1/3/2017 10:58:14 AM |
Experience: Expert |
Ride Date: 10/13/2016 |
Hometown: Indianapolis, IN |
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