Brown County State Park

Brown County is Indiana's crown jewel, and there's a reason every outdoor family in the state has been here. The fall colors are legendary - those ridgeline views in October will take your breath away. But what I love is the scale: 16,000 acres means you can explore for years and still find new trails. The mountain biking is some of the best in the Midwest - great for older boys ready for a challenge. The fire tower hike is a rite of passage. And Nashville's art galleries and fudge shops? Perfect backup plan if weather turns. This trip shows boys that Indiana isn't flat and boring - it's got real hills, real forests, and real adventure. It's Tier 0, but it punches way above its weight.