For those who have not attended a Paynetown campout I thought I would give you a little information as to what to expect.
The non-electric campground is located in the Paynetown state recreation area located on Lake Monroe.
It is 6.5 miles south of Bloomington In. on highway 446.
You can arrive as early as noon on Friday.
One reason we like using Paynetown is that it is close enough to allow family’s to attend. It also allows people to come down in cars to bring more creature comfort items. Kids are more than welcome to come; others will be bringing kids. There is also a pizza, sub, salad place that will deliver to the campground.
When you enter the park there is a $7.00 charge to get into the park. Once you are in the park, you may leave and enter using your camp site pass.
The $7.00 should cover 2 bikes.
If you have reserved a site with me, I will have the site tags to hand out.
You do not have to go to the campground office to pick up a site tag.
Each site tag will cover 2 motorcycles when leaving and entering the park. The gate people usually just wave you on through.
Each site can occupy 2 tents, and up to 6 people. Showers and restrooms are located within 20 yards of the camp site.
I always try to reserve the campsites so we will be able to camp as a group.
The main reason I try to reserve sites is to allow for sharing of camp cost, one camper on the site pays for the first night the second camper on the same site pays for the second night.
You basically get 2 nights camping for the cost of one.
Once you tell me you are coming I will reserve a site for you, on my charge card at that point you will owe me the cost of the site. ($22.83) If you don’t come you are still responsible for the ($22.83).
If you aren’t sure whether you will be coming, you can come down and pay at the park. This won’t guarantee a spot with the group.
The cost to camp is $22.83; if you don’t coordinate camping with someone to split the cost with it would cost you $22.83 for each of the two nights. If you are “ify” and think you only want to come down for one night you can do that without reserving the site with me. Cost is still $22.83, for that night
Again, The main reason I try to reserve sites is to allow for sharing of camp cost, one camper on the site pays for the first night the second camper on the site pays for the second night
See map below.
http://www.indianaoutfitters.com/Maps/state_park_maps/Lake_monroe_indiana/monroe_paynetown_nonelectric.pdf
We are not really required to camp on the exact numbered site.
You may camp anywhere you wish with in the reserved sites.
We usually move picnic tables together for a group fire ring.
Ice, firewood, drinks, and food type stuffs are available at the camp store. The store opens at 7 or 8 in the morning and has coffee.
One or two miles north of the entrance on hwy 446 are 2 restaurants.
The closes one is the scenic view, lots of good food, and they do have carry out food.
They also have a great selection of beer on tap.
http://www.scenicviewrestaurant.com/
The second one is the Log Cabin restaurant and lounge, THIS ONE SELLS BEER, but may be limited on selection.
The Trailhead-Market and Noshery (yes I had to look it up too) 812-837-9101
This place will deliver pizza, subs, and salads. TO THE CAMP SITE.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Trailhead-Market-Noshery/294959827236572
No food or drinks are included in the camping cost.
When you arrive you may want to check to see if fire wood or ice may be needed for the group.
As wood and ice is a group cost type of thing.
On Saturday there may be group rides, but at this point I personally don’t have any rides planned.
There is always an option to do some zip line runs at Explore Brown County, just south of Gnaw Bone, IN. They are located on Mt Liberty road 2 miles south of Gnaw Bone.
If you have questions please feel free to call me 317-201-4952.
Wayne Garrison
