Parks officials hold cornerstone plaque dedication for new Lodge at Potato Creek
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(from left) Indiana Department of Natural Resources Director Dan Bortner, Gov. Eric Holcomb, and Indiana State Parks Director Terry Coleman unveil the cornerstone marker for the new Lodge at Potato Creek. (Provided Photo/John Maxwell (DNR))
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The cornerstone plaque for the new Lodge at Potato Creek State Park. (photo courtesy of our partners at WSBT-TV)
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An aerial shot of construction on the new Lodge at Potato Creek State Park in October 2024. (photo courtesy Patrick Kriby, PD Aerial Drone Service)
Gov. Eric Holcomb and other stakeholders joined Indiana State Parks officials Tuesday to dedicate the cornerstone plaque for the Lodge at Potato Creek, the first state park lodge built since 1939.
Officials said construction was progressing on schedule following a groundbreaking ceremony held in October 2023. Preliminary development of parking lots, construction of a new water tower, and the installation of the trunk for water and sewer lines are underway.
“It’s just been a monumental undertaking trying to prep the site and get it ready. We want to make sure that we do this right,” Indiana Department of Natural Resources Director Dan Bortner told Inside INdiana Business. “We’re going to get one shot at it, and we’re excited to finally get the cornerstone laid.”
Bortner speaks about the need for a second state park lodge in northern Indiana.
Officials do not expect winter weather to disrupt the schedule. The lodge is set to open late 2026 or early 2027.
This project has been over two decades in the making, with the original plans drawn in 2001. Unable to secure funding, Parks officials kept nursing the possibility of a new lodge in the northwest quadrant of the state, since Dunes Lodge closed in the late 60s. The Potawatomi Inn at Pokagon State Park in Angola is the only other location in northern Indiana.
“We looked at possibly having one at Indiana Dunes, rather than Potato Creek. But when you look at the elements, anything you build on that lakefront is going to get sandblasted,” Bortner said. “Having the University of Notre Dame so close by, it just seemed like a better fit for us, a better market, a better opportunity to run the season longer. Being able to go back and have a lodge in that section of the state for Hoosiers and our guests to enjoy, we’re pretty excited”
In 2023, under the Holcomb administration and with the budget bolstered by pandemic relief funds, state legislators finally allocated $100 million to the construction of a new state park lodge in 85 years. The lodge will be operated through the Indiana Inns Authority.
“The Lodge at Potato Creek will provide Hoosiers and visitors alike with a second lodge to welcome them to northern Indiana’s stunning landscapes,” Bortner said. “We’re excited to provide this update on construction, and look forward to the day when we officially open our doors here on the shores of Worster Lake.”
Bringing the number of accommodation facilities in the Indiana State Parks Inns system to eight, the new facility at Potato Creek State Park will offer views of Worster Lake, near North Liberty in St. Joseph County.
“Hoosier hospitality isn’t just a motto, it’s a way of life at Indiana State Parks. Walk into any of our inns this time of year, and you’ll find a warm fire and an even warmer welcome greeting your arrival,” Holcomb said in a news release. “The world-class accommodations, meals, and experiences you’ll discover statewide help explain why Indiana is a national destination in outdoor immersive experiences.”
The 120-room lodge will also feature a full-service 150-person dining room, a 350-capacity conference center with three break-out rooms, an indoor aquatic center, indoor and outdoor spaces for small gatherings, a nature room, a café, a gift shop, and provides access to the lake and other park attractions.
“We’re a destination in and of ourselves, almost like Disney World. People will come to our lodge to enjoy the property; it’s not that they’re coming here to go someplace else,” Bortner said. “We have the highest occupancy rate of any state parks lodging system in the country. So we know what we’re doing. We know what will work and we’ve done our homework.”
On average, more than 19 million residents and visitors attend an Indiana state park every year. Potato Creek is in the top 10 of most visited Indiana state parks, with more than 702,000 in 2022-2023. Indiana Dunes State Park, Brown County State Park, Brookville Lake, Fort Harrison State Park, and Monroe Lake are all estimated to pass over a million visitors annually.
“We have a state park within an hour’s drive of every Hoosier. We are the backdrop for people’s lives. They have their weddings with us. They have their family reunions with us,” Bortner said. “By putting this lodge up in the St. Joe area, that’s going to give us one more opportunity to serve Hoosiers.”
Potato Creek visitors can take advantage of the four seasons northern Indiana offers, with activities ranging from bike riding and boating in summer to ice fishing and hiking in winter. Guests also enjoy a burst of color and freshness from wildflowers in the spring along with migratory birds, and fall colors in autumn.
The DNR is also preparing for another milestone in its state park lodging this week.
Built in 1939, the Spring Mill Inn near Mitchell in southern Indiana, the most recent of the state’s park lodging facilities, will reopen on Friday after undergoing a $30 million, two-year renovation that included mechanical modernizations, accessibility upgrades, and conference facility improvements.
Bortner said the state park system is a major driver for Indiana’s quality of life and quality of place offering, making the Hoosier state attractive to young workers whose psyche has changed from what was obtainable when Bortner first got into the job market.
“We appreciate the interest, and I’m glad that there’s excitement around it. We ask folks to be patient, watch our web pages, and we’ll keep everybody updated as to what’s going on,” Bortner said. “There’s lots of opportunities to be able to get out and enjoy nature. Your birthright as a Hoosier is to be able to do that, and we just provide the source for it.”
Indiana State Parks Inns is currently offering two nights for the price of one at all of its properties through Feb. 27, 2025. The offer is valid for consecutive stays Sunday through Wednesday.
