One of Indiana’s finest

A variety of recreational opportunities awaits you at Pokagon State park, Indiana’s most beautiful state park. Located on State Road 127, just off Old 27, Interstate 69 Exit 154 and near Interstate 80/90 (the Indiana Toll Road), the park draws more than 750,000 people annually. Its 1,203 acres
of picnic and hiking areas, camping facilities and the renovated Potawatomi Inn promise fun in Steuben County.

An annual entrance permit, good at any Indiana Department of Natural Resources property, is $24 for Hoosiers and $30 for non-residents. A Golden Hoosier passport for Indiana residents 65 and older is $12.

The daily entrance fee into the park is $4 per vehicle for Indiana residents; $5 for out-of-state residents and $1 per person on a bus or bicycle.

Pokagon is open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily throughout the year. Listed below are just a few of the activities and facilities at Pokagon.

Camping
Number of sites: 273
Electrical: $22/night
Non-electrical: $16/night

Youth tent camping also is available for $2 per person per night. The capacity is 100, with 20 campers per site. A minimum of $20 per site will be charged.

Between Nov. 1 and April 1, when restrooms are closed, electrical sites are $11 per night. After April, restrooms will re-open, weather permitting.

A group camp also is available for up to 120 people April 1-Oct. 31. Camp rental is $190 per day. A reservation and deposit are required and the camp may be reserved in advance up to one year to the day.
Between Nov. 1 and March 31, the group camp is available for up to 40 people. Rates are $60 per night, plus $1.60 per person per night. A reservation and deposit are required, and the camp may be reserved up to one year in advance to the day.

A new camp reservation system is now in effect. Call toll-free, (866) 6CAMPIN Monday-Friday noon to 8 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. EST, year-round to make reservations. They also can be made at www.camp.in.gov. Campsites may be reserved up to six months in advance. Visa and Mastercard are accepted.

Pokagon’s office is open daily 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is closed on state-observed holidays, except Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day. Call (260) 833-2012 for additional information.

Picnic Areas

Tables, grills, toilet facilities, playground equipment and play fields are provided. All trash carried in must be carried out.

Winter Picnics

Winter picnicking is a popular activity at Pokagon. You may have to clear your own snow, but tables, grills and playground equipment are provided. Winter picnickers are reminded there are no trash receptacles in the park. Garbage bags are available at the front gate. Think reduce, reuse and recycle when packing your picnic lunch.

Beach

Pokagon offers two beaches that are open for sunning or swimming. Swim at your own risk sunrise to sunset.

There is no additional cost to visitors, although an entrance fee is required to enter the park. The bathhouse at the main beach is open Memorial Day through Labor Day 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The Inn beach is open at your leisure.

Stables

Visitors may take a guided horse ride along some of the park’s trails. Riders must be at least 8 years old and 52 inches tall. There is a weight limit of 250 pounds. Stable hours are weekends 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Memorial Day; daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Memorial Day through Labor Day and weekends 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Labor Day through late fall. Call (260) 833-6007 for rates.

The saddle barn staff also conducts weekend hayrides and pony rides for children over the age of 1.
For more information, call (260) 833-6007. The stable accepts Visa and Mastercard. Rates are subject to change.

Boat Rental

V-bottom row boats are available to rent for $5 per hour or $20 per day plus tax. Paddle boats are $8 per hour plus tax. Life jackets are required for both types of boats. You may use one of the park’s free of charge or bring your own approved boat cushion. The rental is located in front of the Potawatomi Inn.

Pontoon boats are available Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. An advanced deposit is required. Contact the Potawatomi Inn at (877) 768-2928 or (260) 833-1077 for reservations and information.

Tour Lake James on the 1902 Electric Fantail Launch replica “Lonidaw.” Tours begin May 24. Adults $9; seniors $7 and children $5. Call the Potawatomi Inn for a schedule.

Shelter Houses

Five shelter houses are available at various rental fees. These can be reserved up to one year in advance to the date of arrival and as early as 48 hours prior to the date of arrival. Prices range from $30 to $50. Call 1-866-6CAMPIN for reservations or visit www.camp.in.gov.

Nature Center

Pokagon’s Nature Center is open Monday through Friday from 1 to 5 p.m. and Saturday, Sunday and holidays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., spring, summer and early fall. During the late fall and through winter, the center is closed Monday and Tuesday; open Wednesday through Friday 1 to 5 p.m.; and Saturday, Sunday and holidays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Interpretive nature programs are available on weekends, fall to spring and daily during the summer.
For more information, call the park office at (260) 833-2012.

Toboggan

Traveling at speeds of 40 miles per hour, the toboggan takes about 25 seconds to reach the end of the track. The slide is closed on Thanksgiving and opens from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. the day after Thanksgiving. The toboggan is closed Christmas Eve and Christmas.

The slide has come a long way since the days when there was nothing but a large hill for people to use. As time passed, a platform was built, and then replaced by the raised tower of today.

Riders can enjoy coffee, soup and sandwiches and a warm fire at the warming center next to the toboggan run. It’s open when the toboggan’s operating.

Slide hours are Friday 5 to 10 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. During Christmas break, the slide is open during the week extended hours from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (except Sundays and holidays.) The open days vary by school holidays. Call the park office for dates.
Park personnel may close the slide when temperatures fall to zero or below.

Sleds are $10 per hour and hold up to four people. A valid driver’s license is required as a deposit to rent a sled. You must use a park sled.

For better safety, riders should consider the following guidelines:

• Do not lean from side to side or back.

• Stay in the start position at all times.

• Do not wave.

• Do not reach for your hat if it flies off.

Cross Country Skiing

If you have your own skis, you may ski anytime the trails are open. There must be at least six inches of snow on the trails in order for them to open.

All skiers must be off the trails 30 minutes before sunset. All persons under 16 must be accompanied by an adult who is skiing, when renting equipment. Skiers with rented equipments must stay on the trails.

Park trails have variable skill levels, so even the beginner can feel at ease while learning the sport.
Cross country skiers are encouraged to take a few practice loops around the parking lot before setting out on the three main trails.

The beginner trail is the easy to moderate trail, which is scattered with slopes and curves. It provides a variety of terrain and runs through the woods.

The advanced trail is two-way to the loop then closes to form a one-way. It’s four miles long and challenges skiers with its steep and rugged areas, curves and uneven terrain. Although it runs primarily through woodland and campgrounds, the trail is an excellent opportunity to see wildlife.

A third trail, which serves as a bridle path in the summer, is groomed during the winter for skiers. The trail is moderate with no hills. About a three-mile jaunt, the trail is located near the center of the park. It crosses roads within the park and travels past the park’s spring shelter. People with their own skis are encouraged to use this trail.

At Pokagon, you don’t have to worry about bringing your own equipment. Visitors may rent equipment at the Civilian Conservation Corps shelter located by the north beach parking lot. Ski rental is $5 per hour per set. A driver’s license is required as a deposit.

Skis are available at the Civilian Conservation Corps shelter from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday only. Skis can also be rented during Christmas break.

Hot soup, sandwiches and other refreshments are available in the warming center located by the toboggan slide.

For more information or to check snow conditions, call (260) 833-2012. The office is open daily 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.