Brown County leaves are already starting to change colors and Brown County park is gearing up for its busiest month of the year.
It’s that time again, the days are becoming shorter, the breezes a little cooler and the trees a whole lot brighter. It’s also time to reserve last minute camping sites before the tourists flood in once October hits, next week.
“The main thing to know about camping in the fall at Brown County (State Park) is that we are extraordinarily popular and it is highly likely that we will be booked out every single weekend so if someone does not have a campsite yet, they want to try and get it as soon as they can,” Brown County State Park Naturalist Eli Major said.
Camping sites in the park can be reserved up to six months in advance and October weekends are the first to go. Weekdays are a little easier in regards to booking closer to time, but are still tricky.
“We are nationally recognized for our fall colors and the park attendance in October reflects that,” said Major.
Prices for camping in the park at an electric campsite range from $25 per weekday and $32 per day on the weekend; Non-electric campsites range from $17 per weekday and $20 per day on the weekend.
There are around 600 campsites between buffalo, racoon and taylor ridges in the park and approximately 100 additional horse camp sites, but those can only be reserved to people with horses.
Campsites can be reserved online at camp.in.gov.
There have been no overall improvement projects on the park’s campgrounds, but they have been completing regular maintenance to gear up the camp sites for fall, according to Major.
“Going into November we will still have our comfort stations, our indoor restrooms open,” said Major. “We do have staff available 24 hours a day with a phone number that can be called once you’re camping, there is security that can patrol the campground every now and then if someone needs assistance with anything, we do recognize that October is a busy month for our campground and we are prepared for it.”
Brown County State Park at the time of this writing, is currently under a burn ban, said Major.
“Fires must only be in metal fire rings or grills, we don’t allow ground fires even with stones. They must be in a metal ring for the burn ban compliance to work.”
Burn bans are not determined at the park level. According to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, burn bans can be ordered by any local fire chief for their jurisdiction.
Campers can find more information about current burn bans in their area on the Indiana Department of Homeland Security’s website at www.in.gov/dhs/burnban/.
The state park has upcoming fall events to suit the season and embrace Halloween festivities.
A full moon hike at Ogle Lake is on the books for Oct. 18 from 7:30 to 9 p.m., hikers will learn about the Hunter’s Moon and red flashlights for night vision will be available for loan.
Halloween in the Hills is scheduled for Oct. 19, including a campsite decorating contest, a trick-or-treat trail for kids from 6 to 8 p.m. and a candlelight hike from 8:30 to 10 p.m.
The complete fall schedule can be found on the Department of Natural Resources website at on.in.gov/browncountysp.
A stoplight has recently been installed on State Road 46 at the park’s north gate, which could cause confusion for locals and visitors who are seeing it for the first time.
“Everyone that is curious about the park in October should be aware that October is our busiest month and if they are visiting weekends in particular, they do need to be aware that sometimes there will be a wait at the gate if they’re coming in the late morning. It’s also worth reminding anyone that if they are bringing a high clearance vehicle or trailer, they should use the west gate.”
