Pokagon State Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Pokagon State Park is located in the northeastern part of Indiana and covers 1,260 acres.


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Summary

The park is named after the Pokagon tribe of Native Americans who once lived in the area. There are several reasons to visit this state park, including its natural beauty and recreational opportunities.

One of the major points of interest in the park is the historic Potawatomi Inn, which was built in 1927 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors can stay in one of the inn's 137 rooms and enjoy a variety of amenities, including a restaurant, indoor pool, and game room.

Another popular attraction in the park is the Toboggan Run, which is open during the winter months. The run is the fourth-longest refrigerated toboggan run in the country and offers a thrilling ride down a quarter-mile track.

Hiking and biking trails are also available in the park, allowing visitors to explore the natural beauty of the area. The park is home to several species of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and eagles.

Interesting facts about Pokagon State Park include its location near the Indiana-Michigan border and its proximity to Lake James, which is a popular spot for fishing and boating. The park was also the site of a Civilian Conservation Corps camp during the Great Depression, and many of the park's buildings and structures were constructed by CCC workers.

The best time of year to visit Pokagon State Park depends on personal preferences. Summer is a popular time for swimming, boating, and other outdoor activities, while winter offers the chance to enjoy the toboggan run and cross-country skiing. Fall is a great time to see the changing leaves and enjoy cooler temperatures.

Overall, Pokagon State Park offers a variety of activities and attractions for visitors of all ages and interests.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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