"Ouch," you cry, as your free hand slaps the mosquito that just bit you. Regretting that you forgot to bring bug spray, you go to light the fire as you realize you've also forgotten another crucial element to your camping experience -- matches. If only you would have planned out this trip, things wouldn't be going so awry. With careful planning and consideration to your camping experience, you can keep yourself from making these miniscule yet important mistakes.\nIf you are a camping connoisseur, you'll be happy to know that southern Indiana offers some of the best campgrounds in the Midwest. From Brown County State Park, to McCormick's Creek, it's more difficult to find an area where you can't camp. \n
Brown County State Park
\nIndiana's largest state park, Brown County State Park is an ideal location for camping. Open every season, Brown County is a mecca for artists, photographers and campers. If your camping experience has to include hiking and sightseeing, camp here in the fall. As the leaves are turning colors from green to red, yellow, orange and brown, Brown County attracts people from all over the world who want to experience the beauty of this state park. Pay only a $4 fee at the gate (everybody pays it to get into the park), and you can spend all day exploring beautiful Brown County State Park. The prices to camp here vary. For electric sites, it's $19 per night Sunday through Wednesday, and $23 per night Thursday through Saturday and holidays. For the non-electric sites, the prices are $13 per night, Sunday through Wednesday, and $16 per night, Thursday through Saturday and holidays. For camping groups of five or more, there are discounted group sites for only $10 per night, any night of the week. The park also has a horse trail, and you can opt to go on the trail with one of the groups for $12.50. Usually, the horse trails take 45 minutes to trek. \nThere are plenty of camping spots in Brown County, but if you don't have a tent, that's fine. You can rent one of Brown County's log cabins. The state park has two different cabin sizes for different sized groups of people. For a larger group of people, a family-sized cabin is available for $108 per night. If you have a smaller group of people, then the regular cabins will appease you for about $65 per night. Along with camping, there are other things to do at Brown County. Charlene Taylor, account clerk at Brown County State Park, said, "We have a lot of nice hiking trails. We also have two lakes that you can fish in." But do beware, for you are not allowed to swim in those lakes. "You can't swim in them, but you can fish with a license," Taylor explained. Even though the park is open all year, the water facilities are turned off on November 1 and don't get turned back on until March. The good thing about that is that the camping fee is reduced to half the original price.\n
McCormick's Creek
\nMcCormick's Creek is Indiana's first state park, and it's still going strong. This park is open all year, and has the same rates as Brown County State Park. The $4 gate fee is also collected. McCormick's Creek seems to be the most popular camping ground for students here at IU. Freshman Ashley Woollen usually goes camping with her family and friends. The reason she chooses McCormick's Creek instead of Brown County State Park is because "it seems to be a lot less strict than Brown County. We just want to hang out and camp, and Brown County is too strict on all the rules there." Woollen said the outdoor activities are a lot more fun there also. \n"It was so much fun with the crazy hiking trails, fun horseback riding and spelunking," she recalled. So, if you're looking for a place to just hang out and camp, McCormick's Creek State Park would be the right place to just kick back.\n
Monroe Lake Camping
\nIf you're more of a swimming camper, then Lake Monroe has some camping sites for you. There are two beaches on the lake where you can swim, and a different section of the lake is set aside for low-wave activities, such as paddling and fishing. The prices are the same as the previous campsites, and in the winter, you can even ice fish! There is also hiking trails, volleyball courts and waterskiing.\n
Get the gear
\nOne of the best places to rent camping gear is at the Outdoor Adventures office in the Indiana Memorial Union. The prices are very cheap, especially if you're a student. If you don't have a tent, then the OA has three different sizes for you to choose from: 2-person, 3-person or 5-person tents. If you're a student, the prices for one-night rentals are $8.40, $9.80 and $11.20, respectively. You can save money by renting them for two or three nights. The OA also has sleeping bags, lanterns, coolers, water bottles, ponchos and other things that would be fun to take on your camping trip. There are other places in Bloomington to get camping gear, but definitely for a higher price. Check out any sporting goods stores or large retailers.\nCamping can be fun if you have the right materials and are completely prepared. At Outdoor Adventures, Skippy Baker, desk staff manager, warns, "Just always remember to bring raingear!" Indiana weather changes quickly, and it can rain on a day that was forecasted to be lovely. Also, be sure to bring bug spray, especially this time of year. Bugs are out mating right now, so be prepared. So be careful but have fun, and remember the OA staff's personal motto: We do it outdoors!
