Escape Comes Naturally here in Brown County....Our 15 World Class Zip Lines are the Fastest, Highest and Longest Twin Racing Zip Lines in Indiana!

5 Star Ranking!!! | Trip Advisor

Certificate of Excellence 2014, 2013 & 2012 | Three Years in a Row!
440 reviewers have ranked eXplore Brown County Excellent! Read our reviews....

 

eXplore Brown County was voted #4 out of the Top Ten Favorite Fall Family Fun Activities in Indiana

 

National Maple Syrup Festival | March 5-8, 2015

TREES.....BATS....AND BEES! Soar with the bees and bats through the trees of Indiana as Zip Line Guides discuss current environmental issues which impact our Trees, Bats and Bees
A SYNERGISTIC RELATIONSHIP:   TREES, BATS and BEES…  

“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” Albert Einstein

Mother Nature has created a world where everyone and everything must work together in HARMONY. Understand that the Maple Tree is one of the first pollen producers our bees can take advantage of each spring. Bees enjoy the early spring pollen produced by the Maple Tree and help to pollinate trees and provide honey for us to enjoy.

Realize that Maple Trees are commonly injured and diseased by insects. In turn, understand that the consumption of insects by bats is important to insect disease control for the Maple Tree and the balance of nature. A number of insects feed on Maple Tree’s foliage and cause damage to the tree; some of these insects become food for bats.         

The Maple Tree is a Common tree utilized by the Indiana Bat both for food and habitat. Primary bat roosts are most often found at the edge of the forest or a gap in the canopy found here at eXplore Brown County. 

Our Indiana bat is listed as an endangered species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service due to a serious population decline estimated at more than 50% over the past 10 years.  Appreciate that all things in nature interrelate.

Let's share our knowledge, concerns and love of Mother Nature at the Brown County Maple Syrup Festival. Tour our tapped Maple Trees

Tour our tapped Maple Trees

Build your own FREE Bat Box

Ask about our Trees, Bats and Bees Zip Line Tours...read more!

Night Flight Astronomy | Every Saturday Night

Heighten your awareness; experience your senses in a whole new way on eXplore Brown County’s Night Flight Astronomy Zip Line Tour. Your ears hear all the sounds of the night, breathe deeply, it smells so fresh. Your eyes will perceive thousands of stars and fireflies lighting up the night sky. This 2 1/2-hour nocturnal tour will enchant you with the beauty of the forest giving you a new appreciation for the creatures of the night. Courageously you will zip off into the blackness! The course is lit with Tiki torches and head lamps to maximize the dramatic effects of the night and satisfy your passion for adventure!

The tour includes 5 zips #4-8, two sky bridges and a rappel. Allow 2.5 hours, all equipment including head lamps for lighting is provided.

  

OUR NEWEST ADVENTURE | Hill Climb Buggy Tours

 

Book your tour online today.......

     

Our zip lines are simply - AWESOME! Read Our Reviews

You are never too old to enjoy our zips...just ask the 90 year old grandmother who recently zipped with us.  Our low impact courses and hands-free automatic braking system allows us to accommodate just about everyone regardless of your handicap.  Our courses are fun for all ages, our weight restrictions begin at 50 lbs. We pride ourselves in being a family friendly adventure center. Come experience a family summer getaway....you will be glad you did!

"Life is either a Great Adventure or Nothing"....Helen Keller

 

New "Just Zip It" t-shirt design is HOT!!! Buy yours after you zip!

 

Is there a wedding in your future? We have the perfect destination venue. Indoor reception hall, outdoor ceremony locations, activities, overnight accommodations....view more details

 

 

eXplore Brown County at Valley Branch Retreat is a family friendly adventure attraction located in historic, scenic southern Brown County, Indiana - one hour south of Indianapolis, one hour north of Louisville, KY and two hours west of Cincinnati, OH. We offer over 1,000 acres of year-round adventure including some of Brown County's most challenging mountain bike trails. eXplore Brown County is best known for its multiple zip line courses including the Explorer Tour which crosses our lake 3 times, the Screamer Tour which includes Indiana’s fastest and longest tandem racing zip line and the Be A Hero zip where the participant zips in the position of Superman. Read what makes our zip lines the best in Indiana....  Full Zip Line Tour Descriptions

  

eXplore Brown County offers other fun and thrill seeking adventures such as ATV Tours which cover 30 miles of trails through the dense hardwood forest including old pioneer home sites, an Indiana Camp site and an old cemetery dating back well over 100 years.

 

eXplore Brown County has been a paintball destination for over 15 years boasting speedball and scenario fields and over 100 paintball marker/gun rentals for every size group. Families, weddings and corporate Groups utilize the facility for events making use of the camping cabins and large Harvest Hall which seats up to 250 people.

 

Extend your adventure, stay in one of our rustic camping cabins, all with heat and AC. Our campground features primitive and full-hook up sites. Rowboats and canoes are available to rent on our 4 acre fishing lake.

 

Our Harvest Hall is available to celebrate your wedding, special occasion, corporate retreat, reunion or social function. We host many events here at eXplore Brown County, large groups are always welcome. Plan your next adventure with us today.

Free Wi-Fi is available at Harvest Hall on the porch.

 GROUPS

“Company Outing 11/1/2014” - Reviewed November 25, 2014

We decided to have our annual company outing at Explore Brown County this year. They were extremely accommodating and very organized. Everyone that helped us was well prepared and knowledgeable about what they offered. I was most impressed with the safety knowledge of the zip line workers. Our safety was at the forefront of their minds the entire time. We also rented their event building and someone was checking in on us all day long! They were extremely helpful yet laid back and not a bother. Very enjoyable day for all!!!!

Reviews

Who Knew Indiana Had Hills Like This???? 

 Reviewed September 2, 2014

ATV Tours, paintball, hill climber buggies, zip lines, mountain biking, camping and cabins... these are some of the attractions listed for Explore Brown County at Valley Branch Retreat. But they don't tell you just how much fun you will have with EXCELLENT and EXPERIENCED guides on privately owned land that feels like it is miles from civilization. My family and I took a 2 hour guided ATV tour and it was a thrill. One member of our family has extensive riding experience and he said it was a blast! I am still in the novice phase, and I was terrified at times, as well as thoroughly enjoying myself! NO EQUIPMENT issues, no complaints, no worries - just really good fun! The office worked with me to reschedule when they had to due to rain on trails, then they made 3 additional changes to our reservation. They even managed to accommodate our tour at an unusual time due to our flights. Mike was our guide, and he quickly got the measure of our group and led us on a really good trip. Something for everyone from novice to expert. Closed Toed shoes required. Long pants and long sleeves are always best when riding. Helmets and protective eyeglasses provided. Bring gloves if it is cold. A drink and snack provided with tour. Book online or by phone for same price. Only bathroom is an outhouse... but when you gotta go, it works.

Visited September 2014 Linda H | Scaggsville, Maryland, United States | Senior Contributor

 

 “Great time camping and Zipping!!” | Reviewed September 2, 2014

We stayed for 3 nights and did the Night Flight with Daron and Chelsie. Let me just say that these two were awesome! They were friendly and very professional. Chelsie helped me get over my fear and zip. The bathroom and shower were nicer than most campgrounds. We also loved having the sewer hookup right at our site along with water and electric. We can't wait to come back with our 15 year old daughter. This was a great way to celebrate 13 years of marriage! Thank you for a wonderful time. 

 “What a BLAST!” | Reviewed September 15, 2014

Today my husband and I tried ATV'ing for the very first time. Mike's easy going, charming personality eased our initial anxiety of trying something new! With a complete review of safety rules, tips and a warmup ride, we were off and exploring the wilderness. Mike's trail decisions were perfect. He gave us options as we went along, demonstrated tricky spots and encouraged us as we went along. We felt safe and in good hands the entire time. Wouldn't hesitate a second to do it again.  Next time we are back in the area, zip lining will be our next endeavour. 
Thanks Mike....Ps give Shadow a bite of that steak!

Visited September 2014 | goofytraveller | London, Canada

 

 

WARNING: Under Indiana law, an agritourism provider is not liable for an injury to, or the death of, a participant in agritourism activities at this location if the death or injury results from the inherent risks of agritourism activity. Inherent risks of agritourism activities include risks of injury inherent to land, equipment, and animals as well as the potential for you to act in a negligent manner that may contribute to your injury or death, or for other participants to act in a manner that may cause you injury or cause your death. You are assuming the risk of participating in this agritourism activity. As added by P.L.3-2011, SEC.1. The property used by Valley Branch Retreat Inc. dba eXplore Brown County dba Paintball Valley is a Classified Forest/Tree Farm and an Indiana Agritourism provider.