Pokagon State Park Hiking and Biking Trails
Pokagon State Park Hiking Trails
1. MODERATE (2 miles)
Trail from Inn past Nature Center to Apple Orchard picnic area through hardwood forest. Crosses road at bridge, continues as the bicycle trail to saddle barn and back to Inn. A good trail for woodland birds and spring flowers.
2. MODERATE (2.2 miles)
Begins on main park road near gatehouse, goes through rolling land, past Spring Shelter, through hardwood forest. Terminates at Campground 1.
3. MODERATE (2.2 miles)
Interesting trail leading through Potawatomi Nature Preserve, with varied habitats of marsh land, deep hardwood forests, pines and sand hills; panoramic view of area from trail overlook at Hell’s Point. Returns to Potawatomi Inn.
4. EASY (1.4 mile)
Begins near gatehouse (with Trail 2) and extends to Trail 5 through campgrounds near amphitheatre. A variety of habitats is offered in pine trees, hardwood forest and rolling land.
5. EASY (.7 mile)
Begins near Campground 1 and goes past Group Camp to beach; passes through deep woods; a good trail to observe birds and spring flowers.
6. MODERATE (.7 mile)
Trail through primitive area, including swamp. Begins and ends on Trail 3. A good trail to observe marshland plants and animals.
7. BLUEBIRD HILLS TRAIL-MODERATE (1.8 miles)
The 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 farmed. Restored wetlands among the hills provide homes for many species that prefer this habitat.
8. MODERATE (1 mile)
Our newest trail leaves Trail 3 just west of Hell’s Point and heads north, crosses a county road, and traverses open, rolling hills, which are being managed to return to meadow lands. Future plans will connect trail to the nearby ACRES Land Trust Beechwood Nature Preserve.
9. MODERATELY RUGGED (1.7 miles)
Leaves Trail 3 and goes east through wooded swamps and young forests. Touches the former site of the “Pokagon Motel” on Indiana 127, near I-69, passes by Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)-built stone dams, and returns to Trail 3.
Bike Rentals
Bike rental is available at the Potawatomi Inn and the camp store for $8 per hour, $20 for a half-day and $25 for all day (prices subject to change.) Pokagon offers a 1.6 mile hard-surface bike trail. You may also ride on the roads throughout the park.
Hell’s Point Challenge
Are you up for the Hell’s Point Challenge at Pokagon State Park? You’ll hike to Hell’s Point, the highest spot in the Angola, Indiana park at 1,123 feet and climb 84 steps to the lookout point. This year-round challenge starts at the nature center where you’ll pick up route information for the eight-mile hike. You must photograph six specific sites along the way and return to the nature center. You’ll receive a free water bottle and sticker, while supplies last. The water bottles are courtesy of the Steuben County Tourism Bureau.
The Hell’s Point Challenge will take you on parts of Trails 3, 4, 7, 8 and 9 and covers moderately rugged terrain. It also includes a climb to the overlook at Hell’s Point. The Challenge typically takes between three and four hours to complete. Hell’s Point, the highest point in the 1,260-acre park, was formed by a waterfall inside a glacier.
