Here in the Midwest, we sure do love our outdoors, and our various parks and recreation areas prove it. The Hoosier State is home to 24 amazing state parks; some of them are incredibly popular and others are less so, but each one is most certainly a wonderful place full of whimsy and intrigue (as well as all the natural beauty you can handle). Potato Creek State Park in Indiana, for example, is a popular and much-loved destination for all sorts of outdoor activities all year long. No matter when you show up, how long you stay for, or how many photos you take, you're sure to always remember a trip out to one of our most beloved state parks.
Nestled about 12 miles southwest of South Bend is this beautiful, 3,840-acre expanse of protected wetlands and bird-rich areas.
Potato Creek State Park is actually famous for its amazing opportunities for bird enthusiasts; several species migrate through here at specific times of the year, and those migrations are so amazing to witness that they bring in tens of thousands of visitors per year alone.
Of course, Potato Creek State Park is home to many more critters than just those of the avian variety.
You never know what (or who) you'll run into out here, from small reptiles and amphibians to larger animals like muskrats, deer, and more.
Perhaps the most important (and most popular) draw, however, is the gorgeous 327-acre Worster Lake.
As the park's centerpiece and pride and joy (well, other than the birdwatching opportunities, of course) this lake has plenty of things to do, see, and experience all over.
Some of the most popular activities at Lake Worster include boating, fishing, swimming, canoeing, and so much more.
The possibilities are as limited as your imagination, though you may want to be mindful of potentially harmful blue-green algae present in the water year-round. Although you can definitely swim in the lake, we suggest a drier activity like boating or canoeing. Trust us - despite that minor natural hiccup, the lake is absolutely pristine and you'll be as hypnotized by the clear water as much as we were.
And when we say "year-round," we definitely mean year-round!
Even when covered in a layer of snow, Potato Creek State Park in Indiana is one of the best places you can possibly go to enjoy the outdoors at its best. During the winter months, you can add sledding, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing to the list of fun stuff to do around here.
The park is also home to miles of trails, each with different lengths and difficulty levels.
Should you never want to leave (and we don't blame you), you can also stay overnight - or longer - at any one of the park's awesome campsites (which include both hooked-up and primitive types) or even reserve a cabin for you and yours to enjoy. Of course, given the popularity of the park, these must be booked well in advance - they're quite the hot commodity at one of Indiana's best state parks.
You'll find plenty of places to love while exploring this amazing park.
Take your pick from wetlands, prairies, old woodlands, and, of course, that amazing lake - which will you check out first? What part will be your favorite? Well, we guess you'll just have to come find out.
If you'd like more information about Potato Creek State Park, visit the official Department of Natural Resources website. There, you'll also find information on each trail in the park, as well as activities and things to do. Oh, and before we forget - Potato Creek State Park is also said to be haunted. What do you think? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!
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