Pokagon State Park/Trine State Recreation Area Hiking Trails

Pokagon State Park/Trine State Recreation Area Hiking Trails

Ranging from easy to moderate to rugged, Pokagon State Park’s nine hiking trails give you a chance to explore the beautiful 1,260-acre park. The shortest of the nine trails is 7/10 of a mile while two measure at just more than two miles. Many of the trails connect at some point, so it’s easy to extend your walk, especially on those warm summer days.

Pick up a trail map at the front gate and get ready to explore this gorgeous state park!

(Trail descriptions courtesy Indiana Department of Natural Resources)

Trail 1: Moderate (2 miles)

This trail runs from the Potawatomi Inn past the nature center to the apple orchard picnic area through hard-wood forest. It crosses at the bridge, continues as the bicycle trail to the saddle barn and back to the Inn. This is a good trail for woodland birds and flowers.

Trail 2: Moderate (2.2 miles)

This trail begins on the main park road near the gatehouse, goes through rolling land, past the Spring Shelter and through hardwood forest. It terminates at campground 1.

Trail 3: Moderate (2.2 miles)

This interesting trail leads through the Potawatomi Nature Preserve, with varied habitats of marsh land, deep hardwood forests, pines and sand hills. Check out the panoramic view from the trail overlook at Hell’s Point, the highest point in the park.

Trail 4: Easy (1.4 miles)

This trail begins at the gatehouse and extends to Trail 5 through the campgrounds near the amphitheater. A variety of habitats includes pine trees, hardwood forest and rolling land.

Trail 5: Easy, (.7 miles)

Begin at campground 1 and walk past the group camp to the beach. This trail passes through deep woods and is a good trail to observe birds and spring flowers.

Trail 6: Moderate, (.7 miles)

A good trail to observe marshland plans and animals, this trail goes through a primitive area, including a swamp. It begins and ends on Trail 3.

Trail 7: Moderate (1.8 miles)

Bluebird Hills Trail starts just below Hell’s Point on Trail 3 and makes a large loop before returning to the starting point. This is mostly open, rolling hills. Grasslands support native prairie plants typical of the land before it was formed. Restored wetlands among the hills provide homes for many species that prefer this type of habitat.

Trail 8: Moderate (1 mile)

The newest park trail leaves Trail 3 just west of Hell’s Point and heads north, crosses a county road and traverses open rolling hills that are being managed to return to meadowlands. Future plans will connect this trail to the nearby ACRES Land Trust Beechwood Nature Preserve.

Trail 9: Rugged (1.7 miles)

This trail leaves Trail 3 and goes east through wooded swamps and young forests. It touches on the former site of a hotel near I-69, passes by stone dams built by the Civilian Conservation Corps and turns to Trail 3.

Nearby Trine State Recreation Area has three trails and admission is included in your Pokagon State Park admission!

Rolling Oaks Trail, moderate (2.5 miles)

This trail runs from the parking area north of the Wild Turkey Shelter and loops through woodlands, along wetlands and over open meadows, all within or within sight of tall oaks. This multi-use trail offers hikers an intimate connection to nature.

Gentian Lake Trail, moderate (.25 miles)

This trail runs from the lodge to lakeshore, through the fen along old road beds, ending at the road going through the marsh from the cabins to the welcome center.

Bike Trail, easy (.5 mile)

Accessible bike trail connects the main gatehouse at Feather Valley Road with the Wild Turkey Shelter and welcome center. Walkers are welcome on this trail.