Patoka Lake

Patoka Lake is located at 3084 N. Dillard Road, Birdseye, IN 47513.

Patoka Lake has a visitors center with displays on how Ancient Greeks, Romans and American Indians heated their homes.  And also displays in the backyard gardens, herbs, flowers and pioneer plants.

The unique visitors center is heated by solar power.

Bald Eagles nest each winter in an area called Tillery Hill.  The 8,800 acre lake is also inhabited by river otters, freshwater jellyfish, and osprey.

The Interpretive Staff programs at the Moery Cabin (built in the 1860's) include teaching skills from Dutch oven cooking to kayaking, and a non-releasable red-tailed hawk.

Events at Patoka Lake include National Trail Day, Owl Calling Contest, Triathlon and much more.  Check out their Calendar of Events for more information.

Onsite:

• bicycle trails
• hiking
• camping
• boating
• hunting
• swimming beach
• bird and eagle watching

Nearby:

• Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame
• Spirit of Jasper Train Rides
• Marengo Cave

What's FREE to See!

• Ferdinand Historical Walking Tour
• Jasper City Mill
• Winzerwald Winery - Free Tastings

Check out the Visit Dubois County's Calendar of Events to find out what is FREE to See during your visit!

Indiana State Parks

Ouabache State Park

The Ouabache State Park is located at 4930 E SR 201, Bluffton, Indiana 46714.


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Ouabache is pronounced Oh-Bah-Chee.

The park has a unique wildlife exhibit with American Bison, also known as buffalo.

The hiking trails are easy to moderate and range from 1 mile to 6 miles in length. 

You can also access the River Greenway, a bicycle trail to Bluffton, IN from the park.

Onsite:

• swimming pool
• horse trails
• fishing
• camping
• boating
• cross-country skiing

Nearby:

• Limberlost State Historic Site
• Kil-So-Quah State Recreation Area
• Franzanda Golf Course

What's FREE to See!

• Native Habitat Waterway
• Bluffton Street Fair
• Two EE's Winery - Free Tour and Tasting
• Wells County Historical Museum

Visit the City of Bluffton's Calendar of Events for more free things to see and do!


Indiana State Parks

Mounds State Park

Mounds State Park is located at 4306 Mounds Road, Anderson, Indiana 46017.

The park has ceremonial and burial structures built by prehistoric Indians, known as the Adena-Hopewell people.

The mounds are believed to have been built around 160 B.C.

The park has an interpretive center with daily programs free to the public.

Visit the Historic Bronnenberg House, open May thru September.  This home highlights the Bronnenberg family's stewardship of the in the 1800's.

Trails range from .4 to 2.5 miles in length are from easy to rugged.

Onsite:

• swimming pool
• hiking
• horse trails
• camping
• canoeing
• fishing
• cross-country skiing

Nearby:

• Hoosier Park Racing and Casino - Horse Racing
• Anderson's Main State Theatre
• The Anderson Center for the Arts - Admission only $2
• Anderson Speedway

What's FREE to See!

• Bronnenberg Cemetery - Well kept Pioneer cemetery
• Madison County Winery - Free Tastings
• Pendleton Historical Museum in Falls Park

Visit the Anderson Madison County Visitors Bureau for more to see and do in Madison County!


Indiana State Parks

McCormick's Creek State Park

McCormick's Creek State Park is located at:  250 McCormicks Creek Park Road, Spencer, Indiana 47460.

The park has more than 10 miles of easy to rugged hiking trails.  The shortest of trails is .6 miles and the longest is 2 miles.

McCormick's Creek State Park is home of the Old Statehouse Quarry.  Limestone that came from this quarry was used to build the Indiana State Capitol building in Indianapolis.

Also in the park is Wolf Cave.  A small cave, only 57 yards long with many slender spots with low ceilings.  The end opening is only 18 inches square.  Tip:  If you intend to explore the cave, take a flashlight.

Twin Bridges, near the outlet of Wolf Cave, is spans of overhead rock that used to be part of the cave roof.

During the Spring, over 115 species of flowers can be found in McCormick's Creek State Park. 

The Nature Center has programs that include scavenger hunts, turtle walks and creek stomps.

Onsite:

• birdwatching
• horseback riding
• fishing
• camping
• picnicking
• swimming pool
• playground

Nearby:

• Historic Tivoli Movie Theatre - built in 1928
• Owen County Heritage & Culture Center
• Clayshire Castle

What's FREE to See!

• Sculpture Trails
• Owe Valley Winery - free tours and tasting!
• Soldier's War Memorial - in Spencer, Indiana

Visit the Owen County Convention and Visitor's Bureau for a Calendar of Events and more that's free to see!

Indiana State Parks