Batesville KOA

The Great Outdoors

RV rentals in Ripley County are your best bet for finding a vehicle that perfectly suits your needs. Now that you've found one, consider pointing it towards Versailles State Park, a short 30-minute drive away. This historic area was traversed by Morgan's Raiders during the Civil War when they captured and briefly held the city of Versailles. It also contains the fossilized remains that suggest the area was once a prehistoric sea. Once you've arrived, you can rent a boat, canoe, or kayak to fish or simply enjoy the views from the lake. There are dedicated trails for hiking and other trails for mountain biking; follow them to a series of steps at the top of which you can look down on the dam and the lake. The park has continuous public events throughout the summer and part of the fall which you are welcome to attend.If you'd like to set your eyes on some wildlife, head towards Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge, another short 30-mile trip in your motorhome rental. This massive park is spread out over three counties and includes the former Jefferson Proving Ground which was retired in 1996 and is now managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service (it is still owned by the military). The stream corridors and forested areas provide habitat for dozens of mammal species and hundreds of bird species; it also provides refuge for endangered species such as the Indiana bat, Henslow's sparrow's, and river otters, just to name a few. The refuge is open to the public from early morning until approximately dinner time on select weekdays and some Saturdays; check ahead for open times before you arrive.If your preference is for something more cultivated, take your RV rental to Shawnee Lookout, a hilltop park with magnificent views of the surrounding Ohio River and Great Miami River valleys. The park has a number of short, easy trails for you to hike and picnicking areas for you to relax and enjoy. There's a playground for younger kids and a boat launch letting you spend some time on the Great Miami River. Be sure to have a look at the historic Springhouse School & Log Cabin, built in 1785 and relocated to the park in 1971, and the Ulmansiek Wildlife Sanctuary, located next to the park along the Great Miami River.

Exploring The Area

You'll also want to make sure you take in some of the city sights and culture while you're renting a camper here, and Brookville is a pleasant place to start. There are several adventure companies here that can take you on guided outings, or you can rent canoes and paddleboards to head out on your own if you wish. There are a wildlife habitat and rescue center that focuses on wolves; you can watch them from an observation deck or enter the enclosure and play with them (the wolves have been domesticated and are safe). The center is non-profit, and all generated revenues go towards caring for the wolves.Another nearby city just to the west of Batesville KOA, Greensburg, has a county historical museum and a museum of the Last Supper, an orchard and a Christmas tree farm, and much more. It also has a selection of trees that are growing on the roof of its courthouse tower, a unique attraction among tourist cities. Greensburg's culinary scene is top-notch, with Japanese and Indonesian restaurants, pizzerias, and Chinese buffets, or good old-fashioned western food.Whether it's history or nature you're after, or culture or social events, southeast Indiana has it all, and Batesville KOA is waiting to show it to you.