Camping at Patoka

[retiredff]

I know Patoka is mostly surrounded by Hoosier National Forest. I know anyone can backpack and camp anywhere. Is it OK to carry my camp gear in my boat and pull into a cove, go ashore and setup camp? I assume the houseboats do this?

THX

Tony

[cevans]

I never see anybody camping just anywhere as it’s mostly State forest and/or controlled by state or army corps engineers. They do have the State Park on south side of Patoka with primitive and full sites camping. It’s not like Monroe, where you have the Chas. Deam Wilderness on south side of Idle zone east of Cutright Launch where it’s free and you can camp about anywhere. If your going to anchor your boat and sleep in it, I am sure your ok. Maybe someone else can comment also.

[Zman]

I don’t think so better check with the D.R

[cevans]

With the lake up 7.5 ft, You best be prepared to stay in the green jungle also.

[retiredff]

OK, thanks for the reply's. I just assumed Patoka was similar to Monroe with Hoosier National surrounding it.

[cevans]

It’s part State Forest more than Hoosier Nat. But, no Wilderness land as only wilderness in Indiana is located on south side of idle zone from Hwy 446 east to Brown Co. and in the Chas Deam Wilderness you can camp about any where You want including along the lake on south side. At Patoka, I see the house boaters dropping anchors in any bay or tying off to a tree or stump but I don’t see anybody pitching a tent or camping on one of the islands or along the bank, and that is not to say, someone hasn’t. I quit sleeping on the ground about 15 yrs ago and hammock camp, so I am always looking for a couple of trees to tie off to. :o