This past weekend, 14 of us helped my in-laws celebrate significant birthdays. Relatives from Ohio, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and New Jersey made the trek to The Nature Inn at Bald Eagle State Park in Howard, PA, near State College. As you might expect, I also packed kayaks and a fly rod.
This was our first visit to the inn, and we had a great time. The property is well above the lake and offers stunning views. They have firepits and grills available for use, and provide a morning buffet to guests. The inn really caters to bird watchers, so bring your binoculars. Below is a view from the main patio area.
The units are clean, spacious and have mission-style furniture. These face the lake.
The rooms below face the courtyard. The property is well landscaped and includes a large butterfly garden and hiking trails.
Some of our party watched bald eagles soaring. Unfortunately I was unpacking the car, and the stained glass eagle over the dining room was the only one I saw.
The staff was friendly, knowledgeable and happily accommodated our needs while catering both a wedding and an anniversary party. They helped make the our stay a true pleasure.
And the fishing? The lake is man-made, and the water has great visibility. I didn’t check the depth charts, but where I fished had a narrow shoreline and a steep dropoff, perfect for bass to hang out chasing baitfish. I was on the water by 6:30 am. Although I chose a relatively shallow cove, there was plenty of company in bass boats. My guess is that this is a popular spot and for good reason.
Due to bad weather and family activities, I really only hit the water for a couple of hours one morning. So much for buying a 3-day license . . .
This is the largest I caught, a nice bass.
And this was the smallest.
If you have a chance I would recommend a trip to The Nature Inn and Bald Eagle State Park. There are plenty of activities for the whole family. Enjoy!
