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Thursday, July 5, 2012

Summer Fun at Patoka Lake


Patoka Lake Lodging


The 8800-acre Patoka Lake, the second largest reservoir lake in the state, is located in the beautiful rolling hills of Southern Indiana. Strewn with small islands, Patoka Lake is known for its big birds – osprey, herons and bald eagles and, along the 26,000-acres of park that edges the water (the only developments on this lake are the two marinas -- Patoka Lake Marina and Hoosier Hills Marina and a small interpretative center), extensive hiking and biking trails, it’s the perfect place for summer time fun.

Spend some time exploring the lake and the surrounding area. Great places to stay to enjoy this beautiful spot of the state are  Patoka 4 Seasons Resort; White Oaks Cabins; French Lick Cabins at Patoka Lake; Hoosier Hills Marina; Patoka Lake Marina and Lodging; Blue Prairie Bed & Breakfast; A Little Log Cabin in the Woods and Out on A Limb Retreat.

A Big Log Cabin in the Clouds
A Little Log Cabin in the Woods
Blue Prairie Bed & Breakfast
6538 W. CR 875 S., French Lick, IN 47432

Enjoy rusticity among the natural setting of Orange County with its woodlands rolling hills, small streams and Patoka Lake, the second largest manmade lake in the state. Terri and Carl Pryor, owners of two historic, hand-hewn log cabins, A Little Log Cabin and A Big Log Cabin and Blue Prairie Bed and Breakfast, a luxurious bed and breakfast offer total privacy, rustic luxury and modern amenities.

A Little Log Cabin is a cozy 150-year old cabin with a great stone fireplace set in the center of a 40-acre private, nature preserve, adjacent to Hoosier National Forest and close to Patoka Lake, French Lick and Paoli Peaks Ski Resort as well as being on the Uplands Wine Trail. A Big Log Cabin in the Clouds is often described as an experience akin to being on a mountaintop with awesome views set upon a private 120-acre preserve. The two story cabin, built in 1863, boasts a chef’s kitchen, designer bathrooms, state of the art entertainment center and charcoal grill, is also on the Upland Wine Trail and conveniently located to the French Lick Resort Casino and Patoka Lake.  

Both cabins, big and little, have private hot tubs as does the large guest suite at the Blue Prairie Bed and Breakfast with its own private outside entrance, great scenic overlooks and breakfast delivery in the morning. Boater friendly, there are three ramps at Patoka Lake within five minutes.

Strictly non-smoking, the Pryors have preserved their acreage to enhance wildlife habitat, planting wildlife food plots, wildflowers and other plants attracting birds and animals giving guests an opportunity to view nature on every visit.     

Wildlife lovers will want to book one of the places their fall during the Sandhill Crane Migrations. The cranes are visible and audible in their southern migrations that pass over here as their flights begin in October or November and continue until Christmas time. Witness the migrations of these magnificent prehistoric birds!  Sandhill Crane Migrations: Southbound flights daily! Sandhill cranes are visible and audible in their southern migrations that pass over here. Their flights begin in October or November and continue until Christmas time. Witness the migrations of these magnificent prehistoric birds! Best viewing is from Blue Prairie Bed & Breakfast and A Big Log Cabin in the Clouds. Northbound, Spring flights will begin in late February and continue all through March. Now that whooping cranes are mixed into the sandhill flocks, sightings of the extremely rare whooping crane  here are not impossible.

Patoka 4 Seasons Resort
7886 West State Road 164
Eckerty, IN 47116 
1 812.685.2488

We know that vacation lodging is not a “one size fits all” item. That’s why Patoka 4 Seasons Resort has a number of different cabin and vacation home sizes and styles to suit your varying needs. Located on Patoka lake in Southern Indaina, Patoka 4 Seasons has one and two bedrom cabins and three and four bedroom homes featuring hot tubs, Jacuzzis, Wi-Fi, fully equipped kitchens, game areas, screened porches  and fireplaces.
 
Resort amenities include in-ground pool, sports field, hiking trails to Patoka Lake as well as  a fish cleaning station with everything fishing enthusiasts need to prepare the day’s catch for a memorable dinner. Open all year with winter discounts and ski packages available.

French Lick Cabins at Patoka Lake Village
Lake Village Drive
7900 W Co. Rd 1025 S.
French Lick, IN 47432
(812) 936-9854,1-888-324-5350
www.plvlogcabins.com/

A great place for both the sports-minded people and those wanting a peaceful spot to "get away from it all." Located 10 miles south of French Lick, in the heart of the Patoka Lake recreational area, these modern log cabins, some pet friendly, provide a perfect opportunity to experience the wonders of nature without giving up the comforts of home.

Located on Patoka Lake's Osborn Boat Ramp with a158 foot wheelchair accessible fishing pier, our cabins are the perfect location for those who are experiencing the many activities the lake has to offer. Also on the property are many hiking trails that show off the scenic beauty of Southern Indiana and Patoka Lake. Swimming and boat rentals are available at Newton Stewart State Recreation Area just a short drive away, along with other area attractions which include Lincoln's Boyhood Home, scenic canoe trips on Blue River, and the always fun filled Holiday World and Splashin' Safari.

Great in the summer, revisit for fabulous fall foliage, or explore the Indiana wineries along the wine trail. Even in the winter there are still plenty of things to do, like take a guided tour of Marengo Cave ("Indiana's Finest Natural Attraction"), or enjoy downhill excitement of nearby Paoli Peaks, which offers skiing, snowboarding or tubing for the entire family.


Hoosier Hills Marina
P.O. Box 44
10306 E. Lick Fork Marina Rd.
Celestine, IN 4752
(866) 678-3313

Tucked away in the hills of Southern Indiana on the western edge of the Hoosier National Forest, Patoka Lake is known for it’s exciting fishing and clean and quiet waters for recreation. The 8,800-acre lake features ten launch ramps, a state park with modern camping, a public beach and nature trails. Nestled on a quiet cove on the west end of Patoka lake, Hoosier Hills Marina is a full-service marina offering slips and mooring for 200 boats ranging from 20’ pontoons and cruisers to 80’ houseboats. 

Available to rent are fishing boats and houseboats up to 72’ in length. The marina store offers everything you will need for one day or a weeklong stay at the lake including groceries, bait and tackle and gasoline.

Jeff and Shellie Dukes, owners of Hoosier Hills Marina, originally bought a private houseboat on Patoka Lake. After five years of enjoying Patoka’s clean and quiet waters, the couple decided to buy the marina and make a living helping others discover and enjoy this great lake. Now they and their family, along with the help of a dedicated staff, strive to make your visit to Patoka Lake as enjoyable as possible.  

Out on A Limb Retreat
8107 County Road 172
Eckerty, IN 47116
502.641.3276, limbseekers@yahoo.com
 www.outonalimbretreat.com

Nestled in the hills of southern Indiana, Out on a Limb Retreat offers a cozy, rustic, relaxing getaway for your vacation or small group event. Come enjoy the quiet and commune with nature as you sit on the large walk-around front porch. The retreat is the ultimate natural getaway. Enjoy nature, the woods, birds, deer and watching the sunset. 
 
Stay a weekend or a week in this fully furnished spacious cabin in the woods surrounded by green lawn -- it's an unforgettable country experience. Accommodations include two bedrooms upstairs able to sleep 5-7 adults and a fully equipped kitchen.  allowing you to prepare meals to your heart’s desire. 



Patoka Lake Marina and Lodging
2991 North Dillard Road
Birdseye, IN 47513
888-819-6916

Patoka Lake Marina and Lodging has everything you need to have fun on and off the lake -- houseboats, boat rentals, floating cabins, marina store, slips (double sided) & buoys, meeting room & party deck and during the summer wine cruises.  The spacious floating cabins and houseboats are perfect for family fun. Both feature air conditioning / heating, full kitchen, DVD player w/monitor, life jackets, rear slide, am-fm radio, marine radio and gas grill. And to make life even easier, wheelbarrows are available to let you carry you gear from the parking lot to the boat.
Enjoy a Patoka Lake cruise on Patoka Voyager tour boat. Fish off the dock or your boat. Houseboats have slides for easy lake access and lots of good times. Sit under the stars at night listening to the gentle lap of the waters and the clinking of halyards against the masts. Buy ice and bait and cast off to explore the 8800-acre lake’s many coves, find  a shallow spot to swim and visit  Hoosier Hills Marina for an ice cream or cold pop on the other side of the lake.  The shoreline is home to deer, rabbits and squirrels and eagle and osprey sightings are common.

Other amenities are available near the entrance to Patoka Lake such as gas station and convenience stores, casual dining, cabins, suites and rooms, bait & tackle, laundry facilities and vacation cabin lots.




White Oaks Cabins
2140 N. Morgan Rd.
Taswell, IN 47175
(812) 338-3120

Secluded on 45 acres of pristine woodland, White Oaks Cabins at Patoka Lake is a perfect haven for nature lovers, hopeless romantics, or anyone seeking peace and Fantastic accommodations nestled in the hills of southern Indiana located near Little Patoka Boat Ramp on Patoka Lake, these historic and new cabins, all fully furnished, with full kitchen and bath, some with hot tub or fireplace are an enchanting way to spend time in a lovely setting.

Facility features  and amenities include sheep petting zoo, children's fishing pond, hiking trails and walking paths, sports activity field and equipment and
creek fossil exploring. Catering is available. The cabins are pet-friendly.

 

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