We had the best weekend getaway here and are so happy to have found this spot through a friend of a…read morefriend. This forest has many camping sites, but they don't let yo reserve any before arriving. Our friend recommended arriving before 2pm to hopefully get a spot. We arrived then on one of the busiest most beautiful fall weekends and scored the LAST spot. Woohoo! We were allowed two tents on our camping spot, which came with a bonfire set up and cooking rack. There was a wooden bathroom only a few steps away and a lake within walking distance as well. The bathrooms didn't have sinks, but there was a water spigot down the road if needed. Most people camping here came for four or five days at a time and had awesome RV or airstreams set up on their camping sites. Therefore, most people went to bed quite early and we weren't bothered by anyone being too loud. Everyone had great fires going and we liked not being the only ones out here. The building where you pay for your campsite also had $5 log bundles you could buy, so we got a couple of those. There were tons of sticks and leaves around that we used to build up our fire as well. This spot is only a fifteen minute drive from Nashville, IN, so is such a great spot. Go check it out!

This review is specifically for the Jackson Creek trail…read more Overall rating: DNR - Do Not Recommend! Sure, there are some scenic views but the trail is pretty poorly marked. It is an "interpretive" trail but the interpretative markers don't have any description. Let's hope you took a picture of the map at the trail head! This could be a lot nicer with some TLC.

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.

Nice little park with a fishing pond, basketball, volleyball, and playgrounds for kids. Camping is…read moreavailable at well, and campsites are right along the river.

One of the Bartholomew County parks/campgrounds is located just northwest of the Edinburgh exit 76…read more If you use the frontage road and follow the signs, you will be able to locate the entrance of the park. (Note that the park is not open all the time, so contact the county parks department ahead of time to avoid a problem.) There is a paved road that leads down along the Flatrock River and then over towards an area where 30 campsites can be used. Note that no camping off the approved sites is allowed. They do have running water, a playground, a couple shelters, but I wasn't able to determine if there are electrical hookups. The park does not have a beach or pool. There are some remote picnic tables, but because of flooding, access to those areas can be restricted. It's best to contact the park officials ahead of time to avoid risk and frustration. The park has lots of wooded land and is hilly. Also, the river can be flowing quite rapidly at times. Review #2064

The staff at the boathouse are so friendly and helpful, especially the young handsome and strong…read moreman. He got my boat in and out the water lickety-split oh wow! I love visiting just to see his hard working fine butt pls give him a raise!

What a great spot! Feels like a million miles away from Bloomington. So calm and peaceful…read more We enjoyed the well marked hiking trails. Would love to return and get out on the water!

We enjoyed fresh air and a long relaxing hike along the creek. There was a nice little Sandy Beach…read morewhere the kids played and built castles. Can't wait to come back in the Spring.

This is more surprising than that scene in Garden State. Yeah, that one! Gasp! Takes your breath…read moreaway. Get a local to walk you there from parking at the commune lake. That's the top view. Needmore Commune was started by Kathy Canada, the grand daughter of Eli Lilly. Yeah, that Eli Lilly. It's not a tourist attraction. Locals don't bite. Ask and you'll find it. Bring wampum and trade beads. Flashbacks to 1969 are common in these-here-parts. Aaron Levy Property infamously reverted to family and was later purchased by Sycamore Land Trust. Google 'Trevlac Bluffs Nature Preserve' on the Sycamore Land Trust Site, for two maps so hard to read they scare people away. Prepare to be alone. Not crowded, except when morels poke out.

This is a very nice traditional park located near the Masonic House and the Franklin Park and Recs…read moreoffice. It is huge, spanning 50 acres and has a lot to offer. First, there is an awesome water park located right outside of it. It is classified as a nature park and has many shady trees. The park has two playgrounds, one near the entrance and one near the exit. The one near the entrance is newer and consists primarily of a large green and brown jungle gym with slides, monkey bars, hanging spinners and bridges. There is a bank of expression swings and a bank of traditional/toddler swings over there. This playground area is on a bed of wood chips and has benches on the perimeter for parents to sit while their littles play. You will see a few picnic tables spread out in this area and a set of nice outdoor corn hole boards. The shelter nearest that area doubles as a rest room facility. The park has a few nice shelters with picnic tables under them and grills just outside of them. I counted at least four of them. The other playground area is fenced in and a little older. It has a jungle gym with slides, monkey bars, and bridges. There is a bench under a canopy for parents to sit and the area is on a bed of wood chips. Like the other playground area, there is a bank of expression swings and a bank of traditional/toddler swings. Other park amenities include a gazebo, a small creek for fishing, and an old graveyard, yes a graveyard. The park is home to a nice paved trail, the Franklin Greenway, that runs right through it. The park is pretty spread out and I like it. There is lots of space to roam. There is not much open green space for field activities such as soccer and football though. This is a very nice option for a nature park in the Franklin area. It is a diamond and the rough and can keep you busy. It does have a somewhat peaceful vibe with it. This could possibly be a destination park and I recomend checking it out.

This park is a true gem. Located just a short walk from downtown Franklin, it features several…read morepicnic shelters, multiple playgrounds, and beautiful views. It's a fun place to explore with your pet or family, and easy to connect with a creek side trail if you want to get in a good walk or run. This park is well maintained and great to visit any time of year, but it particularly shines in spring thanks to flowering trees and colorful flowers!

Great place for kids and adults to and be in the middle of nature. A lot to offer, swimming,…read morecanoeing, zip lining and camp programs. Family reunions are also a big hit .

Beautiful. I have been here many times for Indiana University retreats, boot camps, and seminars…read more It is so nice to unplug from work and to get to know your co-workers and our leadership. I would like to spend more time here! It's so nice.

I had a blast here playing paintball. I called ahead, made reservations, they told me when to get…read morethere for our 1pm start time. We had 20 people and they were so organized. When we got there, we followed the signs to paintball. We went into the place that looked like it would be the office, it was. We made sure everyone signed the waiver, a few of us wanted overalls. We got everything done and we were ready for our safety / procedure instructions. After that, we started the paintball fight! We split in two teams, the teams were mixed each session, we played about 6 rounds with 3 different games and then it was time for us to head home - we could have been there longer, but we had a schedule to keep. Overall - it was a fun time for everyone.

Upon arrival, there was no clear indication of where to check in. The building labeled Office had a…read morepermanent "Closed" sign, which made things even more confusing. After wandering around, we finally found someone. The owner seemed unsure about checking us in, mentioning that they're normally closed on Tuesdays, which explained why only two staff members were onsite and why it felt like they weren't expecting us. We were informed there was an electrical outage being worked on at the time. Understandable--but when we tried to pull into our site to wait it out, the space was occupied by the electrician and his trailer of tools. The owner had to track him down to get the site cleared. Once we finally pulled in, the campsite itself was a mess: five trash cans stacked up, a broken picnic table shoved to the back, a fire pit overflowing with ash and garbage, and litter scattered all over--plastic utensils, bottle caps, string, caution tape, and paper trash. The whole site looked neglected, with uneven gravel, sticks, and leaves everywhere. We had prepaid $46 for a trailer of firewood, expecting enough for a 5-day stay. Instead, what we received was roughly the equivalent of four bundles--maybe $28 worth at best--and the wood was wet, making it hard to use. Other campers around us received much larger, drier loads of wood, and even a staff member commented that our delivery was ridiculous and promised more, but nothing ever came. The bathrooms and showers were another major disappointment. Except for one permanent building at the far end of the park, everything else is portable toilets and trailers. The trailer near us was unusable the first day because no one had bothered to turn the breaker on. Even once it was working, the power was mysteriously shut off multiple times without notice, leaving campers stranded. It also wasn't stocked with hand towels until our last day. The shower trailer offered only two stalls, both moldy, with no hooks or shelves to place belongings. The shower I used had such a moldy curtain that I refused to close it. Ventilation was poor, and if you cracked the window, you were exposed to a mechanical area and a neighboring porch. Portable toilets throughout the park were even worse--several were overflowing, creating awful smells that you couldn't avoid while walking to the lake. While the park map shows brick-and-mortar restrooms at the event hall, staff told us they simply don't open them. Everywhere we went--the docks, stages, buildings--looked dirty, dusty, and poorly maintained. The "vintage campers" offered for rent were also concerning. They were left unlocked, and when we peeked inside, the smell of mold and mildew was overpowering. The bedding looked like it hadn't been washed in months. There's no way I would ever stay in one of those. Ultimately, we cut our stay short by a day because nothing about the experience encouraged us to stick around. Bottom line: The location itself is stunning and the property has incredible potential, but it desperately needs a full cleanup and refresh. Campsites should be maintained (fire pits cleaned, picnic tables fixed, gravel added, trash removed), facilities deep-cleaned, and bathrooms and showers properly managed. The dock area needs attention (and the massive wasp nest removed). The entrance and check-in process should be clear and welcoming, and rental campers need serious restoration before being offered. With effort and care, this place could be worth the $45/night rate. But in its current state, it was a huge disappointment.