POKAGON STATE PARK
Pokagon State Park is located near Angola off I-69. Natural lakes abound in this area and the park borders on Lake James and Snow Lake which offer abundant opportunities for boating, swimming and fishing.
What a thrill! That's what you'll say once you've experienced the quarter mile toboggan track at speeds of 35-40 miles per hour! The toboggan operates weekends from the Friday after Thanksgiving through February, with extended holiday hours. The toboggan is closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Legend says that Leopold Pokagon was the son of a Chippawa father and Ottawa mother, born around the year 1775. He was abducted from his Chippawa village by a Potawatomi chief and given to Chief Topenebee of the Potawatomi. He was given the name Pokagon because he was wearing a headdress which contained a human rib. The word Pokagon means "rib". However, books later written by his son, Simon, tend to refute this legend.
Simon Pokagon, son of Leopold, was born in an old Potawatomi village. When Simon was eleven years old, his father died and area settlers took the task of educating him. He eventually attended four years at Notre Dame, one year at Oberlin, and two years at Twinsburg College in Ohio. During his college career, Simon met and married a Potawatomi Indian girl name Lonidaw. They built a wigwam home of bark and poles in a stately wood near a crystal lake somewhere in Northern Indiana. Lake Lonidaw, in Pokagon State Park, got its name because it is said to resemble this legendary lake.
In treaties of 1826 and 1830, the Potawatomi tribe sold all their land which made up a large part of Northern Indiana and included the present site of Chicago. They were compensated with three cents an acre, which even at that time was considered an extremely small amount. It would be 70 years before they would be fully paid for the land. Following the treaty of 1830, the Potawatomi were evicted from the area and were relocated west of the Mississippi River to what is now Kansas. Leopold's band moved on their own to an area north of South Bend near Dowagiac, Michigan. In 1893, Simon Pokagon and his family attended the World's Fair in Chicago. It was there that Chief Pokagon transferred the deeds for the land. The occasion was a formality that was long overdue.
In 1925, after careful planning and negotiating, the residents of Steuben County purchased 580 acres along the shores of Lake James and Snow Lake. The land was tendered as a Christmas gift from the residents of Steuben County to the State of Indiana. Another additional 127 acres were added by the State to make a total of 707 acres.
1926 was the actual starting point of park construction. The park at that time consisted of 707 acres and was the third largest park in the state. After approximately two years, the twenty unit hotel (Potawatomi Inn) was completed, costing $3500.00 per unit. On February 23, 1927, Colonel Richard Lieber, State Conservation Commissioner suggested the name Pokagon after the Chief. By unanimous agreement, the park was officially named Pokagon State Park.
Most of the park construction was done by the Civilian Conservation Corps. (CCC) between 1934 and 1942. They constructed the roads, trails, camping units, walks, gate house, cabins, beach house, shelter house, Spring Shelter, Saddle Barn, and the first toboggan slide. In addition, they planted thousands of young trees.
The park presently has 1,203 acres of woods and shoreline. People come from all over the Midwest to enjoy the park and recreational activities offered all four seasons of the year.
State park permits can be purchased at any of the state park property locations across Indiana. State park permits can also be ordered online by visiting the
INDINIA ENTRANCE FEE web page.
Day-UseFishingyes
Hiking Trailyes
Picnickingyes
Swimming Beachyes
Bridle Trailsyes
Nature Centeryes
Nature Programsyes
BoatingBoat Rentalyes
Launch Rampsyes
CampingPrimitiveyes
Electric Sites, #273
Flush Toiletsyes
Dumpstationyes
Showersyes
Camp Commissaryyes
Camper Cabinsyes
Youth Group Campyes
WinterSleddingyes
Cross-Country Skiingyes
Ice Fishingyes
Activitiesyes
AccommodationsLodge Rooms, #134
Game Roomyes
Restaurantyes
Campground equipped with flush toilets, hot water and showers. Sites also have picnic tables and fire ring. Electricity also available
* Electric / 200 sites * Non-Electric / 73 sites * Camp, Group * Youth Tent Areas * Dumping Station * Camp Store
Experience nature at its finest at Potawatomi Inn Resort and Conference Center. Enjoy restful comfort at your convenience on the shores of beautiful Lake James, one of Indiana?s largest lakes. With our latest expansion, we now offer 138 guest rooms and a spacious new banquet and conference center. All of this is located within the natural setting of historic Pokagon State Park, plus the lowest rates in the area.
Concessions open seasonally for camping area and beach.
Large swimming area with a bathhouse and concession area.
Fishing - Bass, bluegill, walleye, crappie, northern pike and catfish just to name a few. Licenses are available at the Park Office.
Pokagon State Park is located near Angola, Coldwater
Shelters throughout the park, some featuring a fireplace, picnic table, fire ring and grills.
Stables offering guided horseback riding as well as pony rides for the younger set. Hayrides also available upon request.
Bike trail 1.6 mile in length which connects the campgrounds, Nature Center, Saddle Barn and Inn
Nine walking trails throughout the park ranging from easy to moderate with the longest trail at 2.2 miles in length. Eleven miles of total walking pleasure (Handicapped vehicle available for use at the Nature Center). Two trails are accessible with a handicapped scooter
Nature Center - Exhibits on park?s natural and cultural history. Staffed by an interpretive naturalist to help with your discovery of nature at its best.
Toboggan Run at Pokagon State Park
What a thrill! That?s what you?ll say once you?ve experienced the quarter mile toboggan track at speeds of 35-40 miles per hour! The toboggan operates weekends from the Friday after Thanksgiving through February, with extended holiday hours.
Cross-country Skiing on groomed trails available only with a six inch base of snow (equipment rental available). Ice Skating, Ice Fishing available on Lake James weather permitting (at your own risk).
* Cross Country Skiing * Nature Center/Interpretive Naturalist Services * Picnicking/Shelters (Shelter Reservations) * Meeting & Conference Facilities * Picnicking * Playground Equipment * Rental - Paddleboat, Rowboat and Pontoon * Rental - Recreation Building * Saddle Barn with escorted rides (260) 833-6007 * Sand Volley Ball Court * Swimming / Beach (Policy) * Toboggan Run (seasonal)
Within two minutes from the Inn:
* Every shopper?s dream - Outlet Shoppes of Fremont - featuring such brand names as Polo Ralph Lauren, Coach, Gap, Tommy Hilfiger and Jockey. * Pokagon Falls Miniature Golf - Fun for young and old. * Country Meadows Golf Course - 18-hole par 71 course, snack bar and bar.
Within ten minutes from the Inn:
* Fun Spot Amusement Park - Featuring Roller Coasters, Water Slides and Petting Zoo * Yogi Bears Jellystone Park - Featuring several Water Slides and Camping * Rapid Raceway Go-Karts - Presenting the Thunder Dome, an indoor racing facility that offers group rates * Angola Motor Speedway - offering Stock Car racing on most Summer weekends * Piggy?s Play-A-Round - featuring an indoor golf range and outside miniature golf * Historical downtown Angola, featuring soldier?s monument, antique shopping, jewelry stores and dining * Buck Lake Ranch - an indoor and outdoor flea market, summer concerts and dances * Nature Preserves - Pokagon Nature Preserve, McClue Reserve, Ropchan Wildlife Preserve, and Beechwood Nature Reserve * The Strand Theater and the Brokaw 1 & 2 featuring new releases * State Line Golf Center featuring 36 holes of miniature golf, pro shop, driving range and grass tees * Golf Courses for every skill set. From easy to championship.
Within thirty minutes from the Inn:
* Auburn, IN - Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum featuring an exhibit of more than 100 unique classical automobiles, plus a small theater presentation * Also in Auburn a World War II museum, just off of I-69 - don?t miss Kruse auction Labor Day weekend * Mongo, IN - a town just west of Angola featuring Pigeon River Canoe Rental, Indiana State Fish and Wildlife area * La Grange, IN - visit Amish Country attractions * Shipshewana, IN - featuring the famous Shipshewana flea market and a quaint town with old time stores and shopping area * Satek Winery - featuring local award winning wines * Fort Wayne Children?s Zoo. Voted one of the top ten best children?s zoos in the United States.
Ultimate Warrior Sporting Goods & More Inc
1385 N 200 W
Angola, IN
(260) 665-5522
Corner Landing The
3945 N 300 W
Angola, IN
(260) 833-2112
Potawatomi Inn
6 Lane 100A Lake James
Angola, IN
(260) 833-1077
Campgrounds
Enjoy Southeast Michigan's Best Family Camping experience at our clean, quiet, friendly campground. Jumping Pillow, WiFi, Paddle Boats, Minigolf, Swimming, Bicycling and more
61 miles from park*
* Chicago, IL:
(Approximately three hours and 160 miles) Take the Tri-State East 294, onto the Indiana toll road, I-80/90. Take the Indiana toll road east and merge onto I-69 south, exit 144. Follow I-69 to exit 154 and turn right off exit ramp. Continue straight, as this is the road into Pokagon State Park and Potawatomi Inn.
* Detroit, MI:
(Approximately two and a half hours and 150 miles) Take I-75 south toward Toledo. Merge onto the I-80/90 toll road west exit 144 to I-69 south. Follow I-69 to exit 154 and turn right off exit ramp. Continue Straight, as this is the road into Pokagon State Park and Potawatomi Inn.
* Ft. Wayne, IN:
(Approximately 45 minutes and 44 miles) Take I-69 to exit 154 and turn left off exit ramp onto 127 and turn left at stop light onto 727. Continue Straight, as this is the road into Pokagon State Park and Potawatomi Inn.
* Indianapolis, IN:
(Approximately three hours and 170 miles) Take I-465 north, merge onto I-69 North exit 37B toward Ft. Wayne. Follow I-69 to exit 154 and turn left off exit ramp onto 127 and turn left at stop light onto 727. Continue straight, as this is the road into Pokagon State Park and Potawatomi Inn.
* Lansing, MI:
(Approximately one and a half hours and 86 miles) Take I-69 south toward Ft. Wane, Indiana. Follow I-69 to exit 154 and turn right off exit ramp. Continue straight, as this is the road into Pokagon State Park and Potawatomi Inn.
* Toledo, OH:
(Approximately one and a half hours and 90 miles) Take I-80/90 toll road west exit 144 to I-69 south. Follow I-69 to exit 154 and turn right off exit ramp. Continue straight, as this is the road into Pokagon State Park and Potawatomi Inn.
The toboggan track attracts so many people that some days the wait is 2-3 hours. The staff needs to be better at informing people of the expected wait time so people can plan accordingly.
Beautiful park, but was very disappointed when we rented a shelter, but then had to each pay money at the gate. We drove in from Ohio, so had to pay more than those that live in Indiana. 
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