This review is for their General Store ONLY since we did not rent a boat from them. The store is…read morelocated just outside the check in gate for the camping grounds. There are within sight of each other. The store is basically stocked to support the campers but also the people renting boats who may have forgot some critical needs. For such a tiny store they have managed to stock just about every need one could think of. And no matter how prepared you think you are, it seems you always forget something or run out of some supplies. This store has been a lifesaver for us. We needed a smaller styrofoam cooler to take on a boat instead of our full size cooler on wheels - check, they had it. We needed something to go on a sunburn - check, they had it. And it was a great product, an aloe gel with lidocaine. We forgot to bring the cereal, brought the milk, but forgot the cereal - check, they had eight kinds to choose from including our favorite, Frosted Flakes. Last year when we brought the granddaughters, they had all that weird packaged candy they like. And of course, they have three giant freezers of bagged ice. At $2.50 a bag, I think that's pretty reasonable all things considered. Some prices are high but fair for being remote. Kroger is six miles away. They aren't gouging you like some places outside the State Recreation Area.

My bf and I rented jet skis on a Sunday morning and I can't wait to do it again. Go in the morning…read moreand you get an early bird price! (And the lake isn't as busy) As someone who has boated on Monroe my whole life, jet skis created a whole new experience of the lake. I had never driven one, but it was super simple. Next time I'll rent one for longer. :) No complaints in regards to the staff. It's never a bad idea to take photo/video of the jet ski or boat before you head out on the water though. They were very thorough with us and I felt prepared! You may want to note that a $7 fee is required to get into the park where they are located- unless you hold the state park pass!

The falls are amazing and in the summer they refresh you. The park has trails to fit every age…read moregroups. We Owen county residents enjoy our park and events they offer for our children as well as adults.

McCormick's Creek State Park is Indiana's first State park founded in 1916. They have several…read morehiking trails, camping, a State Park Inn, and an outdoor pool for cooling off in the summer. In the warmer months it is an excellent place for creek stomping with a small waterfall at the end. Both kids and adults love this attraction. It is hard to go wrong with any State Park in Indiana.

My fathers side of the family and me would come here pretty much every year when I was a kid (going…read moreon 26 next month). All of the memories come rushing back. We've stayed there for weekends and short stays in a slew of different campers and RVs, as well as coming for day trips where we would set up a cookout at the reservable building across from the swimming beach. My papaw and I would then go down the nearby ramp to fish. Enjoyed it every time. Considering taking the wife and camper up there from Kentucky this October for our anniversary, let her see where a lot of my childhood was. Will update with photos, etc if we do go.

Everything at the boat rental. Before you leave the dock…read morewhen renting a boat check all items so make sure they work there's no tears rips any damage of any kind.

It's a state forest, no pool for the kiddies, but there are miles and miles of decent low and high…read moreeffort trails. It's pristine, clean, decent and clean restrooms (when they get around to adding the TP), and although the roads are in bad shape in many places, it's a fine spot for forest bathing. Your cellphone might not work in some parts of it. Put it away. If you simply must, go to the top of most hills. There are no gas stations or stores within ten miles in any direction; bring the stuff you need for your visit. In the summer, the amount of oxygen you can get here is almost overwhelmingly delicious. There are playgrounds, picnic tables, and shelters, and hundreds of places for a picnic on a blanket/rug. There are insects; remember your bug spray and tick repellent. Enjoy. It's FREE.

This state forest has two of my favorite longer day hikes within an hour of Indianapolis; The Low…read moreGap Trail and The Three Lakes Trail. The Tecumseh Trail also runs through MMSF. In the last few years, a nice bike trail has been paved in and a new office built. There are also backcountry camping sites for primitive camping-be site to check in and practice leave no trace! The park does not have a lot of state park like amenities so be prepared to use a pit toilet. Bring your own tp and hand sanitizer just in case! The hikes are fairly challenging due to length and have some good hills. Bring plenty of water and keep an eye out for wildlife. Rattlesnakes have been spotted in the area. Hunting is also allowed in the state forest so wear bright colors at all times just in case. If you're looking for a challenging hike that is not overly populated but not totally isolated Morgan Monroe State Forest is an excellent choice.

My husband and I just recently visited the Antler Log Cabins to celebrate his birthday. We've had…read morea lot of changes in our lives recently and have realized that getting away from the daily grind and stepping out into nature is truly healing for the both of us. If serenity, peace and nature are what you seek, this is a good place to start. We arrived near dusk and while the directions to the address were clear and straightforward, once you arrive at the property, it isn't extremely clear where each of the cabins are located. One sign said "Anglers Serenity something" and I recognized that Anglers was the name of our cabin, but I didn't know the names of the other cabins, so it was a bit confusing. I saw the "road" (and I use that term loosely) leading down towards a wooded area and I became afraid. It was steep and narrow and my Lincoln MKZ is not exactly what one would consider and all-terrain vehicle, so I told my husband to take the wheel (along with Jesus)! In my opinion, that road is dangerous and if there were ice or snow present, I might have decided to abort mission. While booking, I did note that one location mentioned that you had to have 4-wheel drive for that particular cabin, but not the Anglers where we were staying. After making it to our cabin safely, we decided that we wouldn't be leaving until sun-up the next day, so we got settled in. The cabin was lovely and cozy and clean (for the most part). I did notice a few cobwebs on the multitude of antlers and when I unrolled one of the towels left in the basket by the fireplace (meant to be used while utilizing the hot tub) there were long, straight, light-colored hairs entangled in them. My hair is short, curly and dark and my husband has a very low haircut. The only other complaint that we had was that the window over the kitchen sink had no window covering. I could not help but to feel like someone was standing there peering at us from the darkness each night. The highlight of our stay was definitely the hot tub. I don't know about you, but I've always wanted to soak in an outdoor hot tub on a chilly Autumn or Winter day. I can finally tick that off of my bucket list! The hot tub was set to a delightful 102 degrees Fahrenheit and that was perfect for the 40 degree weather. When we first stepped in, it felt too hot, but once fully submerged it proved to be perfect! We will definitely return once it is warmer so that we can go fishing in the pond and use the paddle boat! This place is ideal for people who want tranquility, but don't like being "out in the boonies"! We popped into a Target location just about 12 minutes away for provisions and there were lots of options for food located in nearby Bloomington.

Our cabin, Grandpa's Cabin, was perfect in every way! The perfect size for a couple seeking a…read moreromantic weekend getaway. The cleanliness was super clean. The ease in renting and getting access was extremely easy. When we stayed here we also made reservations to rent a boat with Fourwinds Marina on Lake Monroe. The 21 mile drive from the cabin to the marina takes only 37 minutes. Add this to their list of options of things to do and see in the Bloomington area. I grilled steaks outside on their grill while she cooked the rest of the meal in the kitchen. We had a great meal, because the owners had prepped us very well. They tell you exactly everything you need to bring and what they already provide. There were no last minute stops or hunting down a grocery. As you can see from their photos, their cabin is beautiful. I'm sure all the others are just as nice. We will definitely be returning in the very near future.

It was a perfect day for hiking around the paved trail of this park on the NW side of Bloomington!…read more After pulling into the large paved parking lot, I noticed the playground and shelter to the west, the community gardens to the east, and a basketball court to the north. Between the shelter and the court, a wide paved trail (very little change in elevation, so excellent for physically challenged visitors!) takes a short loop around the pond in the park. I would estimate the walk is roughly the distance of what you would find at a high school track. But what you see, particularly in the autumn, is a wide range of color as the woods slope away from the trail. There is also a POI on the east end of the trail called "Hack's Arch" which is made of stone and has its own plaque telling why it is there. Though it is a little out of the way from downtown Bloomington, it is easy to find (despite the small detour for road repair.) Simply take 17th Street west (it becomes Vernal) over the interstate and watch for the park on the north side of the road. Well kept and though some of the large trees were recently removed for safety reasons, brand new trees are being planted to bring more shade to the area with less risk of falling branches. Review #3288

The Salt Creek Trail is a hidden gem in Nashville, Indiana. It starts behind the Brown County…read moreCommunity YMCA, and goes for 3/4 of a mile to the CVS parking lot. Along the way, you'll see beautiful things, like creeks, wildflowers, a storybook trail, a playground near the YMCA, picnic benches and lots and lots of trees. At the end of the trail (or the beginning, if you started at the end), you'll see a bridge with a big, colorful mural painted on it called Nature Inspires, created by an artist named Kurt Eagleman. (Read my review about Nature Inspires for more info about that.) The trail is paved and wide and smooth, so it's great for wheelchairs and strollers. It's also nice for walkers, like me. Apparently, this is the first paved trail in all of Brown County! This is an easy trail, and I was at the end before I knew it. I had forgotten my headphones, so instead of listening to music like I usually do when I walk, I recited poetry and sang some songs aloud. If you'd like to know how long it takes to get from one end of Salt Creek Trail to the other and back again, it takes as long as it does to recite The Walrus and the Carpenter by Lewis Carroll, The Owl and the Pussy Cat by Edward Lear, The Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll, half of If by Rudyard Kipling, and sing the Weezer song In the Garage, and the Slick Rick and Doug E. Fresh song La Di Da Di.

While exploring Greene County, I saw that there was a moderate 1.6 mile hiking path inside the…read moreDilcher-Turner Canyon Forest. So, I crossed the railroad tracks (heading west) and pulled into the small lot at the south entrance. There is the usual wipe your feet before you enter and the sign in to let someone know the park is getting used. The park is a bit on the primitive side: no restrooms, natural trails, and only a few benches. There aren't actual trail markers, but during the right conditions, it seemed the painting of white patches on trees to help the hiker orient on the paths seemed to work. I could see this being a necessity after the leaves have fallen and covered up the dirt path. Note that there were several dry creeks that I crossed along the way, but because of the 60' elevation change, I could see the need to cross over water or at least muddy ground after a rain storm. The trail does have a short cut for those not wishing to hike the entire distance. After walking up a mild incline for .2 miles, there is a split in the path with a laminated map showing you where you are and the distances around the paths. I recommend snapping a photo of this since there is only one other map posted on the trails. The outer trail to the left (West) is the one with the best views of the canyon. Deep greens and rocky descents are seen and there is a bench to relax and just listen. No immediate access is available here to the canyon floor. However, the trails do gradually reach the lower portion of the canyon to the east, though never quite reaching the bottom, and certainly not near the viewing area on the west end. Along the way, there are a lot more rock outcroppings that have shallow caves. While observing a squirrel who had run into a fallen log, a deer ran by me within 30 yards to the crest of the hill, and then back to where it came from as I followed the path upward. Note: I wouldn't recommend going off trail here unless you have some high tech equipment or are just a bit crazy. The white trail patches are small and are only painted on the side that you can see them from the trail. If you wander off, you will need a lot of luck to find the markers again. If you are unsure, just stop and look to see the next marker before proceeding. They are there....just use patience. Overall, it was an enjoyable hike. I made good time on my trip, including stops to take photos, taking about 45 minutes. Review #1587