Patoka River Wildlife Refuge

Enjoy some bird watching at this beautiful wildlife refuge.

As you drive South from Indianapolis, this spot is located just east off of Interstate 69. It will take a little over 2 hours to drive here from the Indianapolis airport so if you’re planning a road trip in Indiana this is a great place to stretch your legs a bit and commune with nature. Year-round, this place has such a variety of birds and is open from sunrise to sunset. There are parts of the refuge that have seasonal flooding where you will find plenty of marshlands for shorebirds like blue herons and egrets. During the spring migration is one of the best seasons to go birding here. With over 25,000 acres of land, there is much to explore at the Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge. This nature refuge is great for outdoor enthusiasts. Bring some binoculars with you to get an up-close look at some of the unique bird species as you explore the trails.

No paid admission is required to enter this refuge and hunting is also allowed. There is only one pit toilet at the Boyd Trail parking lot but no other public restrooms available at the refuge. There are miles of trails to walk on but the most well-maintained trails are the Boyd and Maxey trails which are closest to Oakland City.