Area News

Stay up to date with business news and events happening in Crawford County

  1. Take a Wildlife Cruise Around Patoka Lake
Cruise the lake…watch the eagles and osprey!
Take a tour of Patoka Lake on our 60′ tour boat, Patoka Voyager, or on our double-decker tour boat, Patoka Pride! Search for osprey, eagles, herons, loons, beavers and other wildlife.
Patoka Lake was cited by USA Today as “best” for wildlife viewing in Indiana. Come see for yourself! Tours are available for the general public. Bus tours welcome. Tours are held every Wednesday, June – September from 10am-12pm.

2. Stay in a Silo Suite

Patoka Lake Winery‘s two-story luxury Silo Suites are attached to the Winery…and yes, the rooms are ROUND!  The open upstairs bedroom contains a king bed, chairs and plenty of cabinet storage.  The full bath has a jacuzzi tub/shower unit, and a private water closet, WIFI, flat screen satellite TV. Stay midweek to save, stay a week to save even more (see special deals).

3. Hit the Trails!

“Hikers can spend an hour or a day exploring mature beech maple and oak-hickory forest, rock shelters and
outcroppings, pine plantations, abandoned farm fields in various stages of plant succession, and panoramic views of the lake. Bird watchers will find the diverse area supports many native species, while the quiet hiker or photographer may stalk deer, small mammals or even coyotes. Features of interest include access lanes and an overlook. Trails connect points of interest along the ridge top to the lake shore, and are rugged and steep in places.”- Indiana Department of Natural Resources

4. Tour an Alpaca Farm!

At Red Hill Fiber Mill & Alpaca Farm, a friendly herd of alpacas is raised for their fiber. The fiber from the herd is processed onsite, as well as fiber from other farms across the country. Farm and Mill tours are offered by appointment only.

5. Dine at Benny’s Off the Water

Serving brisket, wings, bbq, homemade pizzas, oysters, tenderloins, shrimp, and fish.

6. Sit back and enjoy a glass of wine…or two!

Visit Patoka Lake Winery and take a tasting at the wine bar. Or, purchase some wine or wine slushies to sit, sip and enjoy select meats, cheeses or chocolates at one of the tables inside or on our outdoor covered patio. You can also buy your favorite bottles of wine and wine slushies to go. Also available are Sunset Wine Cruises on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of June, July and August. On select Saturdays in September and October you can enjoy the fall colors at Patoka Lake while tasting Indiana wines with food pairings on the afternoon Fall Foliage Wine Cruises.

7. Have a Sunflower Photo Shoot

Each summer Patoka Lake DNR plants a sunflower field to provide wildlife with a food source and habitat. The location of the sunflower field changes each year to ensure the health and growth of the flowers. Park guests are welcome to snap photos in the field, but please do not cut or pull any of the flowers.

8. Attend Thunder Over Patoka

Thunder Over Patoka is held every year on the Saturday closest to the 4th of July. Each year the event brings in thousands of people for an action packed show! View the show from a lounge chair on the beach or even on a boat!

9. Bait a hook and cast a line

At 8,800 acres, the Patoka Lake provides the perfect habitat for game fish. The average bass caught from the lake is around 16.5″ long.

TRIP IDEAS

Request a visitors guide

Learn about all that Crawford County has to offer with outdoor recreation, community events, lodging, dining, shopping, and more!

Crawford County is your destination for Outdoor Recreation! Plan a trip and start exploring today!

Signing up to list your business or organization on this Come to Crawford website is completely free! Sign up today.