More Things to Do at the Brown County State Park: Hidden Gems & Overlooked Activities

By now, you probably know that Brown County State Park is packed with scenic views, hiking trails, and family-friendly activities. But if you’ve only hit the highlights, there’s still more to discover.

Even though I’ve been visiting Brown County State Park nearly every year of my life—and have lived here full-time since 2016—I was genuinely surprised to still find features I hadn’t experienced as I was pulling this post together. (Don’t worry though, I’ll be enjoying the audio tour along Trail 3 near the Abe Martin Lodge the next time in the park for a hike!)

This guide will help you round out your whole Brown County State Park experience with some of the lesser-known, easy-to-miss features that don’t always get the spotlight, but absolutely add to your visit. Whether you’re looking to let the kids burn off steam, squeeze in a quick match on the pickleball court, or just relax at a peaceful picnic area, this list will help you uncover even more ways to enjoy the park.

Climb the Brown County State Park Fire Tower

If you’re looking to add a little adrenaline to your visit—and maybe test your nerves just a bit—don’t skip the park’s historic fire tower. Located near the park office and the start of Trail 10, this 1930s-era structure still stands tall on one of the highest ridges in Southern Indiana.

Originally built for fire detection and radio communications, the tower is now open to the public and can be climbed (with caution). It’s about 100 steps to the top, and while today’s tree canopy obscures some of the original views, the experience of climbing it is still one of the more unique things to do in the park.

NOTE: You’ll want to use extreme caution — the stairs are narrow and steep, and the tower can sway slightly in the wind. Supervise young kids closely, and skip the climb if you have issues with heights or mobility.

The DNR signage recommends that anyone with health concerns not attempt the climb.

Explore the Park by Car: The Brown County State Park Auto Tour

One of the most approachable — and often overlooked — ways to experience Brown County State Park is from the comfort of your car. Whether you’re short on time, traveling with limited mobility, or just want to enjoy the park’s scenery without committing to a full hike, the Brown County State Park Auto Tour is a perfect option.

This self-guided driving tour takes you through some of the park’s most scenic and historically significant areas, including panoramic vistas, CCC-era structures, and even a long-gone village once nestled in the valley. You’ll get a deeper look at the land’s history, geology, and the conservation efforts that helped shape the park into what it is today.

How It Works

• The Auto Tour covers the Southern Loop of the park, starting at the Nature Center. (Check out the 8.5×11 Map or Mobile-Formatted Map)
• You’ll need a vehicle and a little over an hour of time (more if you stop at all the sights).
• There are five official stops, each with interpretive signage or points of interest you can explore on foot.
• You can listen to the free audio tour via the DNR website or follow along using the audio transcript linked here.

Pro Tip: Set your vehicle’s trip odometer to zero when you start — the guide includes mileage-based instructions for finding each stop.

Stops Along the Tour

You’ll visit:

• Stop #1: CCC Camp Area – Learn about the Civilian Conservation Corps and how their work helped shape the park’s infrastructure during the Great Depression.
• Stop #2: Hohen Point – One of the highest points in the park at 1,010 feet above sea level — the overlook is especially stunning in fall.
• Stop #3: Hidden Overlook (currently closed — see update below) – A quieter viewpoint not visible from the main road, perfect for photos or a peaceful rest.
• Stop #4: Kelp Village – Site of a now-vanished pioneer settlement, with interpretive signage and a great playground nearby.
• Stop #5: Ogle Hollow Yellowwood Tree – Located near the road down to Strahl Lake, this rare tree species is part of the park’s conservation legacy.

Each stop helps tell the story of the park’s natural and cultural history, from its geologic formation to the New Deal programs that shaped its infrastructure.

Current Detour Update (August 2025)

Due to storm damage from the May 2025 tornado, the road between Stop #2 (Hohen Point) and Stop #4 (Kelp Village) remains closed. Stop #3 is not accessible at this time, and you’ll need to reroute using park signage or GPS.

The other stops can still be visited individually. Ask a park ranger at the Nature Center for current detour details or the latest park map.

Take a Stroll Through History: The Abe Martin Lodge Walking Tour

If you’d rather explore on foot, the Abe Martin Lodge Walking Tour offers a short but history-rich loop that’s easy to follow and full of hidden details — many of which even longtime park visitors have never noticed.

This self-guided trail tour begins just outside the Abe Martin Lodge, taking you down Trail 3 and looping through areas filled with historic CCC-era architecture, scenic forest landscapes, and interpretive audio clips that bring the park’s past to life.

I’ll admit — despite living here and visiting regularly — I had never done this walking tour until I started pulling everything together for this guide. And it really surprised me how much fascinating history is packed into such a short walk.

What to Expect on the Walking Tour

• Start: At the lodge, near the dining hall entrance.
• Route: Follows Trail 3, crossing through forest, past the amphitheater, and looping back past the tennis/pickleball courts and North Gate.
• Audio: The official DNR audio clips are accessible on the Brown County State Park page — just scroll to the “Photos, Video & Audio” section near the bottom of the page.
• Transcript: There’s no official written version of this tour, but I’ve created a pdf transcript you can download here.

The tour includes details about:

• The Civilian Conservation Corps and their lasting contributions to the park
• The covered bridge near the North Gate (and why it doesn’t quite belong here)
• The Saddle Barn, one of the largest and most intact CCC barns in the state
• The natural landscape restoration efforts and reforestation following decades of overfarming

You’ll also hear first-person style narration from a fictional farm boy, describing what it was like to live and work on this land before it became a park. These moments add a sense of place and give insight into how hard life once was in this rugged terrain.

This isn’t a long or strenuous walk, but it’s one of the most immersive ways to understand how the park came to be, especially if you’re someone who enjoys storytelling and learning through experience.

Playgrounds, Open Spaces, & Courts

Whether your family needs a midday break or your crew wants to play a few rounds of pickleball, Brown County State Park has plenty of ways to get moving beyond the trails.

Playground Highlights

There are playgrounds located throughout the park — some near popular shelters and others tucked into campground areas. Here’s what to know before you go:

• Lower Shelter: Big, classic-style playground. While this shelter is often reserved, the playground seems to stay open to the public. Flush toilets in the shelter, or nearby pit toilets.

• Upper Shelter: The playground is up a hill from the shelter, which makes it feel separate enough to use even when there’s a private event. Flush toilets nearby.
• Tulip Tree Shelter: Smaller playground in a grassy area that can get muddy after rain. Pit toilet nearby.
• Walnut Shelter: Right next to the shelter, so if a group is using it, this one’s best skipped. Pit toilet nearby.
• Ogle Lake: Located at the opposite end of the parking lot from the lake. Perfect “reward” after a loop around the lake—we’ve definitely used the “if you’re too tired to hike, you’re too tired to play” line on our own kids!
• Campground Entrance: Great spot right across from the Recreation Building. Pit toilets nearby.

• Taylor Ridge Campground: Quiet, tucked-away playground you’ll miss if you don’t know to look. Not visible from the road.
• CCC Shelter: Very close to the shelter. If the shelter is reserved, this is another one you might want to skip. Pit toilet nearby.
• Kelp Village (Auto Tour Stop #4): Excellent playground with space to run. Pit toilet nearby.
• Strahl Lake Shelter: Simple swingset—not a full playground, but still a nice option for little ones.

Tennis & Pickleball Courts

Directly across from the Saddle Barn and Lower Shelter, you’ll find some newly resurfaced courts that can be used for either tennis or pickleball.

• Open 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM
• First come, first served
• Bring your own rackets and balls
• No reservations required

These courts are well-maintained and usually not crowded—a great option if you’re staying at the lodge or nearby cabins and want to fit in a quick game.

Large Play Fields

Brown County State Park also has several large grassy areas that are perfect for tossing a frisbee, setting up a picnic blanket, or letting kids and dogs run free (within reason).

• Near Hoosier’s Nest Shelter (across the road from the Fire Tower)
• In front of the outdoor swimming pool
• By the Kelp Village Playground, across from the Horsemen’s Campground

Lakes & Streams at Brown County State Park

While Brown County is best known for its scenic hills and forested trails, its quiet lakes and creeks offer another way to slow down and connect with the landscape.

Whether you want to fish, paddle, or just let the kids splash around in a stream, there are a few serene waterways worth exploring during your visit.

Boating & Fishing on Ogle Lake & Strahl Lake

Brown County State Park’s two lakes—Ogle Lake and Strahl Lake—offer peaceful spots for fishing, paddling, and scenic hiking. Non-motorized boats are allowed on both lakes, and they’re each popular for fishing as well.

• Ogle Lake has easier access, with most people launching near the concrete spillway.
• Strahl Lake is more effort, requiring a carry up the dam or a steep staircase—but it’s legal and doable for lightweight gear.

For complete info on lake access, where to paddle, and what to bring (including permits), check out the full guide here:
👉 Complete Guide to Paddling, Kayaking & Fishing in Brown County, Indiana

That post covers everything from DNR regulations to lake sizes, launch tips, and fishing advice.

Stream Exploring

If you’ve got kids (or just enjoy a little backwoods creek stomping yourself), there are a few great spots in the park for stream exploration:

• Below Strahl Lake Dam – This is one of the easiest spots to access, and the stream runs alongside the road that leads toward the Horsemen’s Campground.
• Trail 9 (bottom of the loop) – Follows a stream through a deeply wooded ravine, especially scenic, peaceful, and remote.
• Trail 8 (valley section from Ogle Lake) – Offers some beautiful moments along the creek bed, particularly in early spring or late fall when water is flowing well.

These aren’t swimming holes or deep creeks for paddling, but for kids who love rock hopping and nature lovers seeking solitude, they offer a peaceful, cool retreat away from the more crowded areas.

Earn a Collectible Brown County State Park Pin

Looking for a fun keepsake or family activity? Complete the Hoosier Quest “Explore” program during your visit and earn a Brown County State Park enamel pin. It’s open to all ages and includes simple tasks like attending a naturalist program or going on a hike.

You can start the program at the Nature Center, and once you complete your checklist, you’ll be eligible to purchase the pin as a memento of your visit.

👉 Learn more about the different Hoosier Quest programs and how to get your Brown County-specific “Explore” pin.

Final Thoughts: There’s Always More to Discover at Brown County State Park

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or someone who’s been coming here for decades, Brown County State Park always has something new to offer. From quiet creek beds and historic walking tours to off-the-radar playgrounds and paddle-friendly lakes, it’s the kind of place that reveals more the longer you stay curious.

I’ve lived here since 2016 and still find hidden gems every season—whether it’s a new stretch of trail I hadn’t explored, a historic marker I finally stopped to read, or just a peaceful moment in a spot I’ve passed dozens of times before. That’s part of what makes this park so special.

So the next time you visit, take a few minutes to go beyond the scenic drives and overlooks. Walk a loop you’ve never done. Let the kids wade in a quiet stream. Climb the fire tower (if you’re brave).

You don’t need to go far off the beaten path to experience something memorable—sometimes all it takes is slowing down and seeing what’s right in front of you.

Want More Local Info?

If you found this helpful, don’t miss my Ultimate Guide to Brown County State Park, where I walk through everything from trails to lodging to swimming pools.

You can also sign up for my newsletter or join my free Facebook Group ‘Things to Do in Brown County, Indiana’ for real-time updates, advice from other locals, more local travel guides.

Planning a trip? Let me help you make the most of your time in Brown County.