Day Hiking At Brown County State Park - Indiana © 2006

See Our Hiking And Camping Products

Trail 1
.9 Mile - Easy
This trail is a loop which starts near the ampitheatre.I have never hiked this trail so I dont know much about it. It starts at about the center point of the stairway which descends from the Lodge to the Brown County State Park Saddle Barn.

Trail 2
2 miles - Moderate
A nice loop trail which begins near the Lodge and returns to the same place. A nice hike through the wooded hills below the cabins, crossess the road and then past the North Lookout Tower. A diversionary trail leads to the Tower. There are picnic tables here as well as a nice veiw. The trail continues on and emerges near the Lower Shelter House. Trail 3 leads to the Saddle Barn at this point, Trail 2 turns right up an impressive set of steps, passing the trailhead for Trail 1 along the way. A bit further and you have reached your starting point.

Trail 3
1.25 miles - moderate This trail shares a trailhead with Trail 2, passes the Ampitheatre and the Saddle Barn. It then circles around near the road and threads its way through a small sassasfras grove before returning to the lodge.

Trail 4
1.25 miles - moderate
This trail starts in the parking lot by the Brown County State Park Ogle Ridge Campground. It is to the right as you enter the lot. Trail 5 also starts here. It veers to the right down the staircase, Trail 4 to the left. This trail drops down the hill, at the bottom it meets trail 5. Trail 4 goes left towards Strahl Lake and Trail 7, which it follows for a bit before left up a hill and back to the parking lot. At the beginning of this trail in the spring you may notice some trees with some rather odd looking flowers. These are Paw Paw trees, also called the Indiana Banana. The fruit ripens in the fall and is said to be delicious. I dont know, having never eaten any.

Trail 5
.75 mile - Rugged
This trail is a straigh line trail. It meets Trail 4 at the bottom of the hill, so you can return that way. Or go on to meet Trail 7 around Strahl Lake for a longer loop. These trails are both very nice hikes, but somewhat strenuous. Impressive trees and in the spring loads of wildflowers.

Trail 6
1.75 Miles - Moderate This trail circles Strahl Lake and is a fairly nice hike. The connecting spur which leads back to the nature center features a long staircase and is uphill most of the way. A good hike, but it will work you a bit

Trail 7
1.5 Miles - Moderate This trail circles Ogle Lake. It meets Trail 4. It you are lucky in the spring you can watch the frogs lay eggs and spawn on the northeast end. This is a nice hike as it can connect with trails 4 and 5 forming a longer loop through a variety of different habitats.

Trail 8
3.5 Miles - Moderate The Brown County State Park trail map calls this one moderate, and it is not bad, but there is a very lengthy set of steps and some pretty steep uphill grades.The trail head for this one is located on the northwest corner of Ogle Lake. It is a loop trail. It is best to turn left at the junction of the returing loop and climb the hill first. Then you will descend the staircase instead of having to climb it. It is quite lengthy and can be a difficult climb. After climbing the hill, there is a short spur trail over to the West Lookout Tower. This is worth the short hike over. There is also access to Hesitation Point, on the northeast corner of the trail near the road before descending the stairs. Hesitation Point is across the road and is a pretty spectacular veiw of the surrounding countryside to the north of the Park.

Trail 9
3.0 Miles - Moderate
Having never hiked this trail, I have no input on it. The Park guide says it starts near Campsite 324 in the Brown County State Park Taylor Ridge Campground. There is no parking at the trail head, you must park at the entrance of the campground and hike to it.

Trail 10
2.2 miles - moderate
This is an easy little hike. Nothing really remarkable about it, but the woodland it passes through is pretty.

Friends Trail
This is a short, easy trail located by the Brown County State Park Park Office. It is about a quarter of a mile or so long and is a very simple hike. Good trail if you are short on time or just want a quick warm up hike.

A reasonably long hike can be constructed by stringing Trails 8, 7, 4, and 5. We sometimes park at Ogle Lake, hike Trails 4, 5, and 7. Break for lunch at the picnic area, eating by the lake and then then continue on with Trail 8 in the afternoon.

Brown County State Park offers many trails to hike. Hiking here is fun and will offer a lot of different experiences.