Pokagon State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pokagon State Park |
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Potawatomi Inn at Pokagon State Park
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 Pokagon State Park
Location in Indiana
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| Location | Steuben County, Indiana, United States |
| Nearest city | Angola, Indiana |
| Area | 1,260 acres (5.1 km2) |
| Established | 1925 |
| Governing body | Indiana Department of Natural Resources |
| http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/2973.htm | |
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Pokagon State Park
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| Nearest city | Angola, Indiana |
| Area | 1,040 acres (420 ha) |
| Built | 1927 |
| Built by | Civilian Conservation Corps |
| Architectural style | Park rustic |
| MPS | New Deal Resources in Indiana State Parks MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 95001540 |
| Added to NRHP | January 11, 1996 |
Pokagon State Park is a fun Indiana state park located in the northeastern part of the state. It's close to the village of Fremont and about 5 miles (8 km) north of Angola. The park was named after two important 19th-century Potawatomi chiefs: Leopold Pokagon and his son, Simon Pokagon.
This park covers about 1,260 acres (5.1 km²). It has a cozy inn, places for camping, and friendly naturalists who can teach you about nature.
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Exploring Pokagon State Park
Pokagon State Park is surrounded by beautiful lakes. Lake James borders the park on the west and south, and Snow Lake is to the north. You'll see many wetlands (swampy areas) all over the park. A big part of the east side is the Potawatomi Nature Preserve. There are over 10 miles (16 km) of hiking trails that wind through the park, perfect for exploring!
How Glaciers Shaped the Park
The land at Pokagon was shaped by the Wisconsin Glacier. This was the last of four huge ice age glaciers that covered Indiana a long, long time ago. You can still see how the glacier changed the land. For example, Lake Londiaw is a "kettle lake." This means it formed when a big chunk of ice melted and left a hole. Hell's Point is a "kame," a hill made of sand and gravel left by the melting ice. You might also spot "glacial erratics," which are large rocks dropped by the glacier far from where they originally came from.
Winter Fun: The Toboggan Run
One of the most exciting things to do at Pokagon in winter is the toboggan run! You can zoom down the quarter-mile (400 m) long track at speeds of 35–40 miles per hour (60 km/h). It's a thrilling ride!
Park History
Pokagon State Park was created in 1925. People in the county worked together to buy the first 580 acres (2.3 km²) of land, much of which was farmland near Lake James. They gave this land to the State of Indiana. The state then added more land, making the park 707 acres (2.8 km²) in total. In 1927, the famous Potawatomi Inn opened its doors. In 1934, a special camp for boys, Pokagon Boy's Camp, opened. Many of its buildings are still used today for group camping.
The park was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. This means it's recognized as an important historical site.
The Civilian Conservation Corps
In 1934, a group called the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) came to Pokagon. The CCC was a program during the Great Depression where young men worked on public projects. For eight years, the CCC built many of the park's most famous buildings. These include the Gate House, the Spring Shelter, the Saddle Barn, and the first three versions of the toboggan run. They also built the CCC Shelter, which is also on the National Register of Historic Places.
The CCC also planted many trees, built roads, and created trails. They even had their own newspaper called the Pokagon Chieftain. The CCC played a huge part in making Pokagon the beautiful park it is today.
Today, the park is 1,260 acres (5.1 km²). In 2007, a new area called Trine State Recreation Area was added. It is managed by Pokagon State Park.
The Potawatomi Inn
The Potawatomi Inn opened in 1927, just two years after the park was created. It first had 40 guest rooms, a dining room, and a lounge. There was also an open porch overlooking Lake James. A room cost only $3 a night back then!
In the 1960s, more rooms were added. The original rooms got their own bathrooms, and the porch was enclosed to create a sunny area. In the 1980s, a swimming pool and outdoor deck were added. Because more and more people wanted to visit, the park expanded again in the 1990s. In 1995, a conference center with even more guest rooms opened.
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The historic Potawatomi Inn with its original entrance.
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The modern entrance to the Potawatomi Inn.
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The historic part of the lodge (left) and newer additions (right).
Nature Preserves
Pokagon State Park is home to two special nature preserves where you can see different kinds of plants and animals.
Potawatomi Nature Preserve
This preserve covers the eastern half of the park. You can reach it from hiking trails #3, #6, and #9. It has many different environments, including marshes, hardwood forests, pine forests, and sand hills.
Beechwood Nature Preserve
Located just outside the park on its northeastern side, you can get to this preserve from Trail 8. There's a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) loop trail that goes through old meadows. This area is now covered with plants like gray dogwood and other early-growing woody plants. You might also see yellow birch, red maple, blue beech, and skunk cabbage. You can even see the remains of an old apple orchard! You can also get to this area from State Road 127.
Fish and Wildlife
Pokagon State Park and its surrounding lakes are home to many different kinds of animals.
Fish in Lake James
In Lake James, you can find common fish like yellow perch, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, rock bass, and spotted gar.
Mammals
Keep an eye out for beavers, coyotes, and foxes living in the park.
Birds
Pokagon is a great place for birdwatching! You'll see common birds like ducks, geese, gulls, and purple martins when the lake isn't frozen. During autumn, you might spot migrating birds such as loons, grebes, and double-crested cormorants.
Hawks and red-headed woodpeckers can be seen all year round, along with barred and great horned owls. In 2006, several bald eagles were seen on the lake! Other birds you might observe include brown creepers, veeries, different types of warblers, bluebirds, Carolina wrens, Baltimore orioles, and pileated woodpeckers.
Amphibians and Reptiles
You might find amphibians like mud puppies, salamanders, and frogs. Common reptiles include the garter snake, the eastern massasauga, the hognose snake, and the northern water snake. You can also see different turtles like the painted turtle, snapping turtle, and the soft shell turtle. Many of these can be seen at the nature center.
Activities and Facilities
Pokagon State Park offers many fun things to do and places to stay!
- Bicycle trail
- Hiking trails
- Pokagon Interpretive Center (a place to learn about nature)
- Picnic areas
- Playgrounds
- Swimming and a beach
- Sand volleyball court
- Saddle barn (for horse riding)
- Fishing
- Boating
- Potawatomi Inn (for overnight stays)
- Cabins
- Meeting and conference rooms
- Shelters you can reserve for groups
- Camping (reservations are a good idea!)
- 200 sites with electric hookups
- 73 sites without electric hookups
- Youth tent areas
- Group camp
- General store
- Dumping station (for RVs)
- Winter activities
- Toboggan run
- Cross-country skiing
- Ice fishing
Equipment Rentals
You can rent equipment to make your visit even more fun!
