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Patoka Lake, IN - July 12 - 14, 2019

BigAbe75

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We've been talking about organizing a weekend gathering at Lake Patoka. I think we've settled on July 12-14, 2019. I've compiled some info below from a couple conversation posts with @2kwik4u .

Post here if you are interested or able to confirm attendance, and I'll update this post to keep as much as possible current.


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Here are some good places to get cabins near/on the water.
Patoka Lake Marina - Floating cabins right on the water. You can literally park the boat in the water feet from the front door. Never been inside one, but they look nice from the outside. The front page has a nice picture and you can see them along the shorline behind the main marina.

Patokas Fishermans Village - Our friends with a camper are located right behind this place, so we end up staying here 2-3 times a year. Even though home is only 45min away, it's nice to sometimes make it a "weekend trip". Accommodations are modest, but so are the prices. Should easily handle a family of 4 with a pull out sofa and a queen bed. They have nice pull through spaces and parking. Getting 6-8 24ft boats in would be snug, but totally doable I think. We had 3-19's, a 21pontoon, and a sx230 in there last year for Adult weekend and pulling in/out wasn't a problem at all.

4 Seasons Patoka - Right down the hill from the Marina. Looks nice as I drive by. No idea on accommodations or parking space. Just know it exists as a rental space nearby.

There is also the Patoka Lake Winery that has a few rooms and is VERY near the lake. They have prety good food, and the wine slushies are pretty awesome. They'll make you a 6-pack of them to go if you want, you know, for drinking later :D

There is a small restaurant (Off The Hook) that might make an acceptable "meet for dinner", but they pack up quickly. I'd want to talk to them ahead of time and rope off a section for us on the deck. They have Karaoke on the weekends that is well.......lets just say it's some of the best people watching around. Fun times for sure. Off the Hook shares a parking lot with the Fishermans Village I have linked above. So it works out great to stay there, then just walk over for dinner and drinks.

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Overall the lake is pretty decent sized, and you can easily see 99% of it in a day. If you're willing to do a little "boondocking" as my wife calls it. There is a neat flooded rock quarry to see on the other side of the bridge. It involves going through some pretty shallow water, and literally driving around trees and such. We go back there a few times a year. GPS Coordinates of the old quarry are: 38°21'20.8"N 86°35'23.4"W if looking on Google earth you can see how that is a bit sketchy to get into if the water is even just a little down. Also, anyone with a tower will have to fold it down to get under the SR145 bridge. My AR190 has made it under with inches to spare a few times, but most times I have to drop the bimini and tower to get under.

Some other neat places on the lake:
Eagles Cove ( 38°25'13.4"N 86°37'45.7"W ): Typical Hangout spot for us. We can get far enough back to avoid wakes, and just hang out swim.

"Party cove" ( 38°25'40.9"N 86°42'50.0"W ): This is up near the dam. Most popular place to hang out and socialize. LOTS of folks here on the weekend.

Painters Creek ( 38°26'08.4"N 86°37'56.6"W ): This is probably the best place to surf/board. It keeps you away from the wakes of the main lake as much as possible.

South Ramp ( 38°23'39.3"N 86°38'24.5"W ): this is the ramp to use IMO. Plenty of parking and very sheltered from main lake traffic. There is a GIANT no wake zone around it, of course 1/2 the people ignore it but what can you do. Has enough width for 5-6 trucks at a time depending on how close people get to one another. Keep in mind it's like $8/day to get into the park I think. We buy a yearly pass for $75, but we're up there enough to make it worthwhile.

DNR Maps

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Potentially Interested:
@BigAbe75
@2kwik4u
@scot71
@AboveTheBest
@jcyamaharider
@mattschepker
@ksowen01
@RampRage
@Scott
@Speedling
@BAC.94
@Purplebeast

Confirmed:
 

scot71

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As of now we plan to be there. Can't wait!
 

Speedling

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Definitely interested but on a short leash until the drywall goes up on my house project. It is disruptive to the whole house. And i hit fireworks season here.
But this looks really cool!
I like the on the lake cottage!
I mean, why get a slip when you can do that?!
 

AboveTheBest

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We’ll be there on he 13th. It’s just over an hour for us, so ill show up as “early” as I can get the wife and kids out the door and will be heading back that evening.

Tagged for interest:
@2015 SX210
 

2kwik4u

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@BigAbe75 Thanks for getting this posted. I feel I'm too busy to get most anything done these days. I get quick breaks here and there at work to surf and post, but that's about it.

Count me in as Confirmed. We'll be up on Saturday for certain. I'm sure we'll be in for some level of dinner/meetup on one of the nights as well.
 

RampRage

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I will be at Table Rock this weekend. Looks like a good time.
 

BAC.94

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This is our "home" lake! While we have moved from our Yamaha to a Sea Ray 320 Sundancer, would enjoy meeting up with everyone. If anyone needs more info on the area, please let me know.
 

BigAbe75

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This is our "home" lake! While we have moved from our Yamaha to a Sea Ray 320 Sundancer, would enjoy meeting up with everyone. If anyone needs more info on the area, please let me know.
Awesome! If you have any additional ideas on lodging, that would be cool.
 

BAC.94

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Awesome! If you have any additional ideas on lodging, that would be cool.
For on the water lodging, Patoka Lake Marina floating cabins are it. Book now because the fill up fast! BigAbe mentioned several campgrounds and cabin rentals near the lake. There are 4 hotels in French Lick. The French Lick Resort and West Baden Springs are very nice (and pricey) but are beautiful and offer spas, casino, fine dining, etc. There is also a new Best Western in town and a Comfort Suites. Both of these are nice but require a short drive to the boat ramps. The lake has 2 marinas. Both have food options but are limited.
 

2kwik4u

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Snapped this picture on the way into the park last weekend. Has the rates to enter for those attending.

PatokaSign.jpg
 

scot71

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Hey @BigAbe75. Have you guys figured out where your staying yet? I'm going to reserve a spot at the campground soon and thought I'd try to get one close to you guys if your going to be camping.
 

BigAbe75

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We’ve got a long car ride today, I’ll see if the boss can nail down our days. So far we haven’t booked anything, but are wanting to camp. I do think we plan to hit holiday world, but I’m not sure how many days.

I’m thinking probably Fri and Sat night camping at Patoka. And maybe Wed and Thur night at Holiday World.
 

scot71

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We’ve got a long car ride today, I’ll see if the boss can nail down our days. So far we haven’t booked anything, but are wanting to camp. I do think we plan to hit holiday world, but I’m not sure how many days.

I’m thinking probably Fri and Sat night camping at Patoka. And maybe Wed and Thur night at Holiday World.
Very cool! It looks like we're going to go down Thurs - Sun. Let me know what spot you get in the campground and we'll find something close by.
 

BigAbe75

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Very cool! It looks like we're going to go down Thurs - Sun. Let me know what spot you get in the campground and we'll find something close by.
Which campground do you recommend? Or is there just one? Post the link up so I know we’re looking at the right place. Lol

I guess it’s probably listed on the first page, somewhere?
 

scot71

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We'll be staying at the State park. Here's the link to reserve a spot.
 

BigAbe75

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Very cool! It looks like we're going to go down Thurs - Sun. Let me know what spot you get in the campground and we'll find something close by.
Looks like there's all kinds of sites available. Any suggestions? Any idea if they have buddy sites where they face opposite directions so you share the same space in between the campers?
 

scot71

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I have to admit. We've only camped there a couple times, so I'm not real familiar with all the different sites. Also, we're gonna be tent camping. So we can pretty much setup any way we want.
 

BAC.94

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Southern Indiana has had massive amounts of rain recently. Right now the lake is 12' over summer pool. The ramps are open for now, but the courtesy docks might be under water. The beach at the State park is closed. Hopefully, things are back closer to normal before the gathering. I've attached a link to check lake conditions...

DNR: Patoka Lake
 

BigAbe75

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Well, it looks like I’m going to be out for next weekend. The boat is at the dealer while some determining is done.

Something’s not quite right in this pic.
8F437B36-1298-4269-BD94-CACB1E51C442.jpeg

Hopefully, I’ll have it back for Shelbyville... even if it isn’t fixed by then.
 
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