Pokagon State Park Camping | The Best Year-Round Camping Experience At Pokagon State Park

Jan 27, 2025

Last Updated on: Jul 3, 2025

Travel Blog

The Pokagon State Park in Indiana is famous for deer hunting. However, things went haywire on 7th July 2024 when the police received a phone call from the park regarding the shooting at the park. 

Shots were fired near the toboggan run, and at least three people were injured. Nevertheless, despite Pokagon State Park being in the news for the wrong reasons, we cannot deny its charm as a year-round camping ground. 

With its inns and cabins and endless activities to do in the park, it is even a popular staycation spot for the people of Indiana. 

So, are you also ready for camping and fun at Pokagon State Park? This Tour and Travel guide is here to help you! However, let’s know this state park at a glance.

Pokagon State Park At A Glance | Things You Need To Do

Pokagon State Park’s location is around 10000-15000 years old. The Wisconsin glacier has been transformed into this park thanks to nature forces and factors. Further, it has more lakes than any other Indiana state park today. 

All the lakes here are formed after the meltdown of glaciers, and Lake James, with an area of 1000 acres, is the largest among them. Moreover, it is home to over 200 species of birds and diverse ecosystems. 

In addition, the land of the state park belonged to the Potawatomi tribe. After procuring the land from them, it was named Pokagon, after the tribe chief. The table below has more details you need to know about the park.

Year Of Establishment1927
EcosystemsMarshesLakesSwampsFensPine GrovesMeadowlandsOld FieldsDeciduous Woodlands
Entry Fee$7.00 (noncommercial vehicles with Indiana number plates)
$9.00 (noncommercial vehicles with non-Indiana number plates)
$2:00 for 5 years and older. $1:00 Programming Fees$50 Annual Entrance Permit for Residents$70 Annual Entrance Permit for Non-Residents$25 Golden Hoosier Passport
Best Time To VisitWinter
Location450 Lane, 100 Lake JamesAngola, Indiana
Hours Open7 AM to 11 PM
Contact NumbersPokagon State Park Office: (260) 833-2012Nature Center: (260) 833-3506

Pokagon State Park has pleasant weather conditions throughout the year. During the summer months, the highest temperature hovers around 80 degrees F. 

Further, in winter, you can expect a temperature between 1-18 degrees F. 

Pokagon State Park Camping | Get Ready For Year-Round Attractions

Pokagon State Park Camping  Get Ready For Year Round Attractions

Indiana people love outdoor time, and Pokagon State Park best matches their interests. It has abundant nature, with various ecosystems and over 200 species of birds. Further, the lakes in the park allow you to enjoy an immersive time there. 

On the other hand, it has all modern-day amenities. Moreover, irrespective of the visiting season, the campers always have some fun activities to engage in. 

Things To Do At Pokagon State Park

Boating
Fishing
Hiking
Horse Riding
Picnic
Winter Sports
Toboggan Run

For example, if you are at the park in summer, you can swim in the lakes and cool off. You can even visit the bathhouse. Further, in winter, you can enjoy toboggan runs, cross-country skiing, and sledding, with the entire park transformed into a snowy wonderland. 

Moreover, the park has the best wildflowers in spring and the fiery reds of the autumn foliage are magical here.

So, are you all set for camping at Pokagon State Park? Let’s discuss the camping grounds and facilities. 

Electric Sites (Class A) At Pokagon State Park Camping

Nightly Rate: $23 (Sunday-Wednesday), $30 (Thursday to Saturday), $33 (Holiday Weekends)

Campgrounds 1,3, 4, and 5 of the state national park have electric or Class A camping sites. Among them, a few sites in Campground 3 have ADA-accessible 366, 368, 374, and 376 camping sites. 

These sites have electrical hookups and other amenities here, including drinking water, showers, restrooms, parking spurs, picnic tables, and fire rings.  

Non-Electric Sites (Class B) At Pokagon State Park Camping

Nightly Rate: $16 (Sunday-Wednesday), $19 (Thursday to Saturday), $22 (Holiday Weekends)

At the Campground 2 of the state park, you will find 73 non-electric campsites. These are equipped with fire rings, parking spurs, restrooms, showers, and drinking water facilities. 

Youth Tent Area Campsites

Youth Tent Area Campsites

Nightly Rate: $20 ($2 Each for 10 People, Additional $2 Per Person)

The Youth Tent Area has 5 campsites, and they only allow tents. Here, the campers should be below 21 years old, and there can be 10 members in a group, guided by an adult leader. 

Moreover, these campsites have pit toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. Campground 5 and Spring Shelter will also have a drinking water supply. 

Group Camp Site

Nightly Rate: $480

This group campsite is ADA-accessible. It can accommodate a total of 78 people in 12 cabins. There is another counselor cabin where 14 people can stay. 

Moreover, the two bunkhouses at Pokagon State Park are ideal for 36 people (18 each). Other amenities in the park include:

  • A commercial-style kitchen
  • Basketball court
  • Dining hall
  • Craft room
  • Picnic tables
  • Volleyball court
  • Charcoal grills
  • Seasonal dock
  • Parking facility for 21 vehicles

In addition, the Group Camp Site offers the most amazing lake view. 

Camp Store

Summer Season Hours: Monday-Saturday (9 AM to 9 PM) and Sunday (11 AM to 7 PM)

You will find the camp store close to the Campground Gatehouse of the state park. The camp store remains open seasonally. 

If you are camping in the park, you can collect food, drinks, wood, ice, and other essentials from the camp store. You can also collect souvenirs from here. 

Pokagon State Park | Cabins, Hotels And Inns

If you are not in parking at Pokagon State Park, you can stay at the hotels, inns, and cabins here. The Potawatomi Inn is the best among them and it has a whiff of history in its name. 

This inn has 126 hotel rooms, 8 cabins, and 4 cabin suites. Further, you will love the Lakeview Restaurant or the Sauna Bath Corner here. You can contact The Potawatomi Inn at 1-877-768-2928 for booking. 

Moreover, for a rustic experience, you can plan a stay at the historic Pokagon State Park cabins. Eight of the cabins are remodeled and they come with proper HVAC systems. 

In addition, Ramada by Wyndham Angola/Fremont Area (Contact No: +1 260-624-4402) and Hotel Quality Inn Fremont (Contact No: (419) 332-0601) are some hotels near the state park.

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Meet Sibashree Bhattacharya, a travel enthusiast who has a decade-long experience in transcending virtual barriers with her words! Her deep love for travel is apparent from her travel escapades to the mountain, often taking her readers on a journey, her words acting as Portkey! Fun fact: Sibashree loves to dive deep into the history of the places she is about to visit, making her travels even more wholesome. If you were wondering how her articles are not short of time travel, this answers it!

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Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument Lying about an hour’s drive to the east of Billings, this moving national monument and memorial commemorates the famous Battle of Little Bighorn. It was here on June 25 and 26, 1876, that General Custer made his ‘last stand’ and lost his life alongside many of his cavalry at the hands of the local Native Americans. At the sprawling battle site, visitors can learn all about the epic encounter that came to symbolize the clash of cultures. The Native Americans fought to protect their nomadic way of life and stop themselves from being forced onto reservations. It was a short but momentary victory for the Native Americans against the ever-expanding advances of the US Army. Through interesting and informative tours, you’ll learn all about the battle as well as its aftermath. Moreover, you will also learn about the legendary Lakota leaders Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull as well. In addition, you can visit the numerous markers and memorials scattered about what is now part of the Crow Indian Reservation. 7. Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail Also considered to be one of the best national parks in Oregon, the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail winds nearly 4,900 miles through the homelands of more than 60 Tribal nations. It follows the historic outbound and inbound routes of the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1803-1806 from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to the Pacific Ocean. Follow the trail to find the people, places, and stories that make up the complex legacy of the expedition. Boasting lots of large limestone caverns and stunning stalactites as well as stalagmites, Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park makes for a spectacular sight. Located just under an hour’s drive to the northwest of Bozeman, it is one of the most popular parks to visit in the state. First documented by the Lewis and Clark Expedition, after which it is named, the caves cover a substantial underground area. It has illuminating tours that take you around its most fascinating features. Lit up by flickering candles and fairy lights, its subterranean sculptures and formations are a treat to explore. Above ground is equally delightful. The state park’s lovely woods and shimmering streams lend themselves perfectly to hiking. It also offers mountain biking, and camping, with fishing and canoeing also on offer. 8. Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail Glacial Lake Missoula, a 3,000 square-mile body of water encircling Missoula, Montana, was a result of an ice dam in northern Idaho. It happened at the conclusion of the last Ice Age, between 18,000 and 15,000 years ago. Floodwater came out when the dam burst, traveling across Washington, Oregon, and the Columbia River before reaching the Pacific Ocean. The Ice Age Floods affected the people and terrain of the Pacific Northwest, profoundly. The majority of geologists thought that glaciers and streams slowly eroded rock formations to create Washington's Channelled Scabland. Geologist J Harlen Bretz postulated that cataclysmic floods were responsible for the formation of the Channelled Scabland after finding geologic data that contradicted this theory. Bretz's theory was initially mocked, but it was later proven correct thanks to new technology like satellite photography. By the 1970s, everyone agreed that the Ice Age Floods were to blame for the ravaged terrain of the northwest United States. Today, the terrain is littered with remnants of these Ice Age Floods. It includes massive basalt coulees, dry falls, and big boulders. They have traveled hundreds of miles, high water lines, as well as tremendous current ripples. The Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail includes spectacular examples of cataclysmic flood geology, breathtaking landscapes, and locations for scientific study. 9. Lone Pine State Park Lying just to the southwest of Kalispell is the lovely Lone Pine State Park. It looms over the city and Flathead Valley. As it is home to wonderful nature and scenic trails, it is very popular with locals and tourists. It also has plenty of recreational activities on offer. Founded in 1941, the park boasts delightful landscapes, with flower-filled meadows and lush forests coating its hilly confines. Reaching 1,110 meters in height, there are more than ten kilometers of trails to explore. It also has fabulous vistas visible from its upper reaches. Besides hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding along its peaceful paths, visitors can go wildlife watching and birdwatching. In addition, there is an archery range and volleyball court to try out. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are on offer in the winter months. 10. Bannack State Park Once a thriving mining town, Bannack became a ghost town as the seams of glittering gold ran out, and so did the prospectors moved on. Set in a scenic yet remote spot in the southwest of the state, the eerie yet enticing ghost town is now under protection as part of a state park. Nestled away among Montana’s majestic mountains are more than 50 decaying buildings for visitors to explore, with log cabins lying alongside a school, hotel, and Methodist church. Although they have long been abandoned to the elements, most of them are in remarkably good condition. As such, it makes for an unsettling experience wandering around the empty streets. One of the best times to visit is in July, during the ‘Bannack Days.’ Re-enactors transform the town into what it would have been like during the gold rush. The rest of the year, visitors can take tours of Bannack or rent bikes and set off hiking from the nearby campsite. Read More: Top 8 List Of National Parks In North Carolina 11. Giant Springs State Park Giant Springs State Park lies just to the northeast of Great Falls on the banks of the Missouri River. It has sparkling springs all around, from which it derives its name. It is a top-rated place with many recreational activities on offer. That is mostly due to its proximity to the city and its peaceful and picturesque nature. Blackfeet Nation has used Giant Springs for centuries. Moreover, it is one of the largest freshwater springs in the States. First described by the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1805, its waters originate in the Little Belt Mountains. It took around 3,000 years to travel the 100 kilometers underground to surface again at the springs. Besides visiting the springs, visitors can wander around the park’s gorgeous green spaces. They explore the scenic shoreline of the river. As well as its picnic areas and playgrounds, it also offers some great fishing, boating, and birdwatching. 12. Yellowstone National Park Last but definitely not least, we have another immensely famous option. It is a very popular and widely visited Yellowstone National Park. Most of Yellowstone lies within the wilds of Wyoming. Some picturesque parts of the popular park sprawl over into Idaho and Montana. An absolutely incredible place, it is awash with astounding natural sights. There are mighty mountain towers above sweeping valleys, verdant forests, and roaring rivers. The oldest national park in the world came to be in 1872, delighting and dazzling countless generations ever since. Its diverse and dramatic scenery is spectacular. However, it is most known for its more than 10,000 geysers as well as hot springs. There are also thermal features dotting its craggy confines. Of these, one of the most popular is the Grand Prismatic Spring due to its kaleidoscopic colors. Old Faithful never fails to amaze with the staggering size and scale of its spurting spring. Moreover, you cannot miss out on Yellowstone National Park. It has lots of wildlife residing within its remote realms and exquisite hiking, camping, and boating on offer. Wrapping It Up! In case you were searching for the best as well as must-visit Montana national parks, I hope that this article has been of help to you. If there are any other queries related to the same, feel free to let me know. All that you need to do is scroll down till you reach the bottom of the page. Then leave your queries and suggestions in the box below. Read Also: A Guide To National Parks In Wisconsin A Complete Guide For National Parks In Illinois Best National Parks In Missouri That You Must Know