Brown County Mountain Bike Trails
Nashville, Indiana, USA

A beautiful fall view from Hesitation Point.  Click to view photo album.
 
Fun. Fast. Flow.

Three words that describe one of the best-kept secrets of United States mountain biking.  However, Brown County won't be a secret for long.  It's been designed from scratch by mountain bikers for mountain bikers.  With miles and miles of flowing trail, scenic vistas and amazing terrain Brown County has become a world-class mountain biking destination.

In its March, 2009 issue Bike magazine named Brown County State Park one of the best 33 trail systems in North America.  It was also named runner-up in the "Best Trail Network" category.  The editors said "its...singletrack is among the most varied terrain east of the Mississippi.  From berms to steep switchbacks to tight trees to rock gardens, these trails have it all.  And even more are on the way, with an ambitious expansion plan already in the works."

Bike magazine also said that Brown County has "flowed-out berms, tight switchbacks and hand-built rock features that will leave you thinking you landed in Tsali [North Carolina] or Canaan [West Virginia].  Ride an out-and-back, and you've got 30-plus miles.  Switchbacks?  Plenty.  Steep climbs?  Just like the East Coast.  Natural beauty?  It's at an all-time high in the fall."  Dirt Rag magazine wrote, "Hills, rocks, trees, roots.  A place that reminds you why wheels turn.  A place that reminds you that the grass isn't always greener two states over."

The Brown County mountain bike trail system is located entirely within Brown County State Park.  It is Indiana's largest state park.  Since 2004, the Hoosier Mountain Bike Association has been hard at work building the best singletrack trails around. 

Details

Over twenty-five miles of pristine, winding singletrack trail.

  • Beginner Trails: Beginner Level
    North Tower Connector Trail (North Gate Parking Lot to North Tower Loop), North Tower Loop, Limekiln Trail (Hoosiers Nest to Campgrounds), Pine Loop (North Gate Parking Lot to North Tower Connector Trail)
  • Intermediate Trails: Intermediate Level
    Aynes Loop, Green Valley Loop (Opening Soon)
  • Advanced Trails: Advanced Level
    Hesitation Point Connector Trail (Hesitation Point to Aynes Loop), Walnut Trail (Hesitation Point to Hoosiers Nest)
  • Expert Trails: Expert LevelExpert Level
    Schooner Trace (Walnut Trail near Hesitation Point to Walnut Trail near Hoosiers Nest)

  • All the trails are shared with hikers and trail runners.
  • Please know and follow IMBA's Rules of The Trail.
  • The trail system is open year round.
  • The park is open from 6:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. (EDT)
  • Night riding is allowed until the park closes.

    Two mountain bikers take a break at the foundation of an old shelter in Green Valley on the Aynes Loop.  Click to view photo album.

    Directions to Trailheads

    Brown County State Park is located in south-central Indiana between Bloomington and Columbus in Nashville, Indiana.  To reach the main trailhead enter the park through the North Gate Entrance located off of State Road 46 just east of Nashville.  The mountain bike parking is just past the gatehouse and pool on the right.  Shaded parking areas with restroom facilities are also located at the Lower and Upper Shelter areas nearby.  For those accessing the park through the West Entrance there is trail access (advanced skill level) at Hesitation Point.  Near the camprounds, there is trail access just off the Rally Campground parking lot near the Ogle Hollow Nature Preserve trailhead.  Guests of the Abe Martin Lodge and Cabins can access the trail system across the road from the North Lookout Tower.  There are two small trail access points with limited parking at Walnut Shelter and at Hoosiers Nest.

    Roll Sub-9!

    Caution:  All of the locals know to roll "Sub-9"™.  If you use the North Gate Entrance, you must go through a covered bridge with a headroom clearance of only nine feet.  Tall vehicles or cars with bikes on top may not make it through.  If your vehicle will not clear you will have to use the West Gate Entrance located west of Nashville on Highway 46.  The Horseman's Camp Entrance on the south side of the park cannot be used to enter or exit.  It is for the horse camp only.

  • Road Bike Riding

    Trails too wet to ride?  Bring your road bike for some of the best road riding in the country.  The country roads in Brown County are scenic, generally low-traffic and very hilly. Brown County State Park was used for the road cycling event in the 1987 Pan-Am Games.  Many amateur and professional road cycling teams have their Spring training camps here for a reason. Bring your climbing gears!

    Brown County Road Biking Map

    Brown County State Park Road Ride GPS

    Social Media

    Facebook

    Message Board

    Blog

    Videos

    Photos

    Twitter

    Upcoming 2010 Events

    October 9,10 - The Brown County Breakdown


    Tourism Information

    Insider's Ride Guide

    Camping Information

    Browncounty.com

    State Park Information

    Brown County State Park Site

    State Park Entrance Fees

    Abe Martin Lodge and Cabins

    Maps

    Mountain Bike Trail Map

    Official State Park Map

    Google Earth Map

    Garmin GPS   Trimble GPS

    Illustrated Nashville Map

    Illustrated Brown County Map

    Brown County Road Map

    Other Mountain Bike Trails In The Area

    Brown County State Park is the star of the show, but with almost 150 miles of mountain bike trails in the Brown County area, there is plenty of other riding and exploring to do!  Come for a day or stay for a week.

    Nebo Ridge Trail    Map    Forum

    Hickory Ridge Trail    Map    Forum

    Valley Branch Retreat    Map    Forum

    Gnaw Bone Camp    Map    Forum

    Versailles (70 Miles Away)    Map    Forum

    French Lick (85 Miles Away)    Map    Forum

    This rider is a blur as they carry speed through a switchback on the Hesitation Point downhill.  Click to view photo album.

    Weather

    Current Weather Conditions and Forecast

    Indiana 24 Hour Precipitation Radar

    Indiana 7 Day Precipitation Radar

    Press

    "BCSP Trails Among Best on Continent"

    "Teamwork Makes State A Handlebar Haven"

    "Riding High in Indiana's Hill Country"

    Trail Reviews

    BCSP Raves

    Gateway Ride Report

    Spoke Junkies Ride Report

    Contact Us

    If you have any questions regarding mountain biking in or around Brown County, Indiana, please e-mail us.  We'd love to help you plan your trip.

    Please join, volunteer, or give to the Hoosier Mountain Bike Association to keep building the Brown County State Park vision.