About
History | Amenities | State Park Features | Local Attractions | Driving DirectionsHistory
The Abe Martin Lodge is located just minutes from Nashville, Indiana. Known as the a place where nature and artists meet in the midwest, Nashville is a mecca for those who love arts, crafts and antiques. Nashville has more than 350 shops and attractions, with most of them within a few blocks of the downtown area. Enjoy private tours of artist’s studios, live musicals at the Coachlight Musical Theatre, or take a wine tasting tour at one of the towns noted wineries. Some days, you can even spot an artist painting their canvas on the sidewalks of Nashville.
The Abe Martin Lodge is one of the few lodges in the country named after a cartoon character. Created by cartoonist and author, Kin Hubbard, Abe was introduced to the Midwest in the Indianapolis News, in December of 1904. Abe Martin Lodge stands in tribute to this unique character still so alive and celebrated in Brown County and the town of Nashville.
Whether it is the springtime blossoms of the redbud and dogwood trees or the magnificent fall foliage in autumn, each season in Brown County is a showcase of nature.
Amenities
- Scenic view from every accommodation
- Full service Restaurant featuring our specialty buffets
- Aquatic Center featuring a zero entry pool, water slide, water channel, fountains, water volleyball and basketball, and a whirlpool with a waterfall.
- Relaxing lobbies with fireplaces or big screen televisions.
- Game room that includes air hockey and ping pong
- Unique Gift Shop featuring Indiana made products as well as regional products
- Wireless Internet throughout the Inn
- Complimentary Coffee
- Satellite Television in all lodge rooms except for cabins. Rustic cabins do not have televisions, but family cabins do have televisions with Indianapolis stations.
- Campfire pit just off of our scenic back lawn
- Free local phone calls
- Playground. Basketball goal.
- On site Events Coordinator
State Park Features
- Largest State Park in Indiana consisting of nearly 16,000 acres
- Twelve scenic walking trails ranging from easy to rugged with the longest trail at 3.5 miles in duration. Over eighteen miles of walking pleasure. Also offered is a paved wheelchair accessible trail.
- Mountain Biking Trails. Nine miles of trails that wind around hills, ravines and across streams. Great for hikers or bikers
- The Campgrounds are great for those who enjoying outdoor living. They are equipped with flush toilets, hot water and showers.
- Camp Store offers camping and picnic supplies, firewood and souvenirs. Open April thru October
- Fishing. The park has two lakes to enjoy fishing, Ogle and Strahl Lake. State license are required and are available at the park office. Rowboats are permitted on Ogle Lake only.
- Saddle Barn. Two different trails, ranging from 2.2 miles to 3.3 miles. Pony rides are available for children 8 and under. Weekend hayrides available during the summer and fall.
- Horseman’s Camp. Facilities for those who wish to bring their own horses and stay the weekend. There are several horse trails available to enjoy. Horse tags required.
- Nature Center. Scheduled programs and events for all ages. They are open year round. (Limited hours in the winter)
- Picnic Areas. Tables, grills, toilet facilities, playground equipment and playing fields.
- Shelter Houses. The park offers a variety of sizes and locations, including one with it’s own indoor restroom and some with fireplaces
- Swimming Pool. Olympic size swimming pool is open Memorial Day thru Labor Day, with a bathhouse and snack bar. Fee applies.
- Lighted tennis court
- Covered Bridge. The state park north entrance is the oldest and the only double covered bridge in the state. Built in 1804 and moved to Brown County in 1838 it is a true historic beauty.
- Ogle Hollow Nature Preserve – Contains an attractive self-guiding nature trail, which describes natural aspects of the park
Local Attractions
Within 5 miles from the Lodge:
- Shopping, museums, galleries: Downtown Historic Nashville offers over 250 specialty shops
- Rawhide Ranch: Year-round ziplines and horseback riding.
- The Palace Theatre of Brown County: Specializing in musicals ranging from lighthearted to hilarious.
- Brown County Historical Society’s Pioneer Village. Museum, log jail and century old doctor’s office.
- Nashville Express Sightseeing Tours – 2 ½ scenic tour of Nashville, enjoy the ride as to board onto the open trolley of the Nashville Express.
- Chateau Thomas Winery – For the discriminating wine enthusiast, Complimentary Wine Tasting, International Award-Winning Wines
- Salt Creek Golf Course. PGA certified course that includes a putting range, a snack shop and restaurant
Within 10 miles from the lodge:
- Bill Monroe Memorial Music Park and Campground. Events year around.
- For Bare Feet Sock Factory. Take a tour of one of Indiana’s own sock factories.
- T.C. Steele State Historic Site. Open to the public. Tours of his home and studio.
- Brown County Antique Mall. Nashville’s largest mall with over 6000 square feet of Antiques, Collectables, Artifacts, Furniture, Primitives and Jewelry.
- Yellowwood State Forest. 23,000 acres. 3 pristine lakes. Hiking, horse trails, abundant wildlife, and overnight campsites.
Within 20 miles from the lodge:
- Primetime Outlet Mall. Coach, Adidas, Liz Claiborne, and many more.
- Wonder lab in Bloomington. Get in touch with the wonder of Science, a Museum of Science, Health and Technology. Hands on Fun for all ages.
- Lake Monroe. Located in the Hoosier National Forest, the lake is composed of more than 11’000 acres of water, with camping, fishing, swimming, boating, picnicking, nature areas and wildlife refuge.
- Indiana University Campus – 10th Largest University in the nation.
- Columbus. Offering Architectural bus tours daily.
Driving Directions
Cincinnati, OH | Indianapolis, IN | Louisville, KY | Terre Haute, IN- Cincinnati, OH:
Take Route 74 West to Greensburg. Take exit 134A to 46 West, Columbus. Take 46 West approximately twenty miles to Columbus. Continue on 46 West through Columbus for thirteen miles to Nashville. The Brown County State Park entrance is on the left, two miles before Nashville.
- Indianapolis, IN:
Take Interstate 65 South to Columbus, Exit 68. Turn right onto 46 West towards Nashville for approximately thirteen miles. The Brown County State Park entrance is on the left, two miles before Nashville.
- Louisville, KY:
Take Interstate 65 North to Columbus, Exit 68. Turn left onto 46 West towards Nashville for approximately thirteen miles. The Brown County State Park entrance is on the left, two miles before Nashville.
- Terre Haute, IN:
Take 46 East approximately 70 miles towards Nashville. 46 will take you to Nashville. The Brown County State Park entrance is on the right, two miles past Nashville.