Patoka River Refugewildlife
The Halloween pennant, a dragonfly with orange and black wings, can be seen at almost any oxbow or wetland on the refuge from mid-June through early October, per the Fish and Wildlife Service. No official report yet this season.
Next 7 days at Patoka River Refuge
- TodayMostly Sunny89° / 67°1% rain
- ThuMostly Sunny91° / 68°69% rain
- FriShowers And Thunderstorms74° / 55°83% rain
- SatSlight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny71° / 52°21% rain
- SunSlight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny73° / 49°21% rain
- MonSunny68° / 43°1% rain
- TueSunny69° / 48°1% rain
Today: sunrise 6:45 a.m., sunset 6:35 p.m., light until 7:02 p.m. · moon waning gibbous, 78% lit (our calculation)
Your guide to the area
Where to watch
- Snakey Point Marsh from the Boyd TrailAn easy quarter-mile gravel trail with marsh views and a fishing pier out into the marsh; the lot, off CR 25 S about a mile northeast of Oakland City, has a comfort station and a pollinator garden
- Overlook Trail (Columbia Mine Preserve)A 0.75-mile trail with a panoramic view over Snakey Point Marsh; wear fluorescent orange during hunting season
- Massey Trail (Columbia Mine Preserve)A 0.8-mile trail out onto a peninsula in Massey Lake; fluorescent orange required in hunting season
Nearby
- Chautauqua Refuge199 mi2 separate phases, from Late May to early JuneSatSunny
- Emiquon Refuge201 mi2 separate phases, from Late May to early JuneSatSunny
- Meredosia Refuge201 mi2 separate phases, from Late May to early JuneSatSunny
- Noxubee Refuge359 mi3 separate phases, from MaySatShowers And Thunderstorms
- Cuyahoga Valley368 mi5 separate phases, from late February or early MarchSatMostly Sunny
- Yazoo Refuge417 miFrom March through MaySatShowers And Thunderstorms
The year at Patoka River Refuge
- Headquarters open weekdays for maps, year-roundNowJan–Dec
- Least terns: mid-May to late August (they nest on special islands at Cane Ridge; stay out of the nesting areas)May–Aug
- Halloween pennant dragonflies at the oxbows and wetlands (mid-June to early October)NowJun–Oct
Patoka River Refuge in pictures
Questions people ask
When is the best time to see wildlife at Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge and Management Area?
The Halloween pennant, a dragonfly with orange and black wings, can be seen at almost any oxbow or wetland on the refuge from mid-June through early October, per the Fish and Wildlife Service: from mid-June through early October. That's general timing for this place, not a peak date or a forecast.
Is it the season at Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge and Management Area right now?
There's no official report yet this season.
Is there a fee?
No, there is no charge to visit.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Patoka River NWR and Management Area: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Are there restrooms?
There's a comfort station in the Boyd Trail parking lot by Snakey Point Marsh; many other access points are far from any amenities.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Patoka River NWR and Management Area: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
What should I bring?
Plenty of drinking water, snacks, insect repellent and sunscreen. Expect gravel roads, which can flood in some seasons.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Patoka River NWR and Management Area: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where do I get a map?
At the headquarters, 510 ½ West Morton St. in Oakland City (State Road 64), open weekdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. except federal holidays: refuge, trail and auto-tour maps.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Patoka River NWR and Management Area: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Do I need to wear orange?
On the Overlook and Massey trails, yes, during hunting season: fluorescent orange is required there.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Patoka River NWR and Management Area: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge and Management Area?
Snakey Point Marsh from the Boyd Trail: an easy quarter-mile gravel trail with marsh views and a fishing pier out into the marsh; the lot, off CR 25 S about a mile northeast of Oakland City, has a comfort station and a pollinator garden; Overlook Trail (Columbia Mine Preserve): a 0.75-mile trail with a panoramic view over Snakey Point Marsh; wear fluorescent orange during hunting season; Massey Trail (Columbia Mine Preserve): a 0.8-mile trail out onto a peninsula in Massey Lake; fluorescent orange required in hunting season.
What is Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge and Management Area like through the year?
Halloween pennant dragonflies at the oxbows and wetlands (mid-June to early October) (Jun–Oct), Headquarters open weekdays for maps, year-round (Jan–Dec) and Least terns: mid-May to late August (they nest on special islands at Cane Ridge; stay out of the nesting areas) (May–Aug).
How we know · Sources (3)
How we know
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Patoka River NWR and Management Area: Species (opens in a new tab) (Sep 30) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Patoka River NWR and Management Area: Visit Us (opens in a new tab) (Sep 30) · National Weather Service forecast and alerts (opens in a new tab) (Sep 30)