Pokagon State Park offers a bunch of first come first serve picnic areas as well as several larger reservable shelters.
These are scattered throughout the park and are a perfect place to hold a larger get together.
POkagon State Park PICNIC AREAS
Pokagon State Park is a lovely spot for an outdoor meal. Picnic areas with picnic tables and charcoal grills are scattered all over the park. There is a large concentration of picnic areas at the Black Cherry Picnic Area & Shelter. Often there are playgrounds nearby. Pokagon helps make it easy for you to grill up a sweet meal.
Spring Shelter is great picnic area / shelter that is a small, mostly enclosed building with a couple of picnic tables and drinking water. It is non-reservable and is always open first-come, first-served.
The Picnic areas are shown on the Main Pokagon State Park Map that you will get when you enter the park.
reservable SHELTER HOUSES
Pokagon State Park has 5 shelter houses that are reservable for day use, from 9 am to 11 pm. In addition there is 1 reservable recreational building available for day use from 8:30 am to 10 pm.
No overnight use allowed. Shelters not reserved one day in advance are available on a free, first-come, first-served basis.
If the shelter is being used for the purpose of a wedding or wedding rehearsal, you need to call the park office at (260) 833-2012 to discuss arrangements for the event.
Apple Orchard Shelter
This covered, open 40’ x 40’ (1600 sq. ft) building is ADA accessible and can accommodate up to 150 people on about 20 picnic tables, plus 50 vehicles. It has charcoal grills and is surrounded by a huge grassy area, great for playing game. Kids will really love the playground.
This shelter rents for $30 per day ($35 on holidays). You can reserve it online here.
Black Cherry Shelter
This covered, open 30’ x 15’ (450 sq. ft.) building is ADA accessible and can accommodate up to 40 people on about 7 picnic tables, plus 7 vehicles. It has charcoal grills and is surrounded by a small grassy area. There are other picnic areas, porta-jons, and a playground nearby.
This shelter rents for $30 per day ($35 on holidays). You can reserve it online here.
Lower CCC Shelter:
This covered, partially enclosed 54’ x 15’ (810 sq. ft.) shelter accommodates up to 40 people at about 7 picnic tables, plus has shared parking for 100 vehicles. It provides electric lighting, a wood fireplace, charcoal grill, and flat dirt area outside the shelter.
This shelter rents for $30 per day ($35 on holidays). You can reserve it online here.
Sweet Gum Shelter
This covered, open 36’ x 24’ (864 sq. ft.) shelter accommodates up to 40 people at about 10 tables, with parking for 15 vehicles. It has a charcoal grill, is surrounded by a large grassy area, and porta-jons are nearby.
This shelter rents for $30 per day ($35 on holidays). You can reserve it online here.
Upper CCC Shelter
This shelter rents for $50 per day ($55 on holidays). You can reserve this shelter online right here.
The Upper CCC shelter is a partially enclosed 60’ x 35’ (2100 sq. ft.) building is ADA accessible and accommodates up to 120 people at about 15 picnic tables. There is shared parking for 100 vehicles. The shelter offers electric lighting, a wood fireplace, charcoal grills, and has a large grassy area out front
Warming Center Recreation Building
This building rents for $107 per day ($112.35 on holidays). It is only available March 15th to November 1st, from 8:30 am to 10 pm. It is reservable online right here.
This shelter is really a fully enclosed 37’ x 40’ (1400 sq. ft.) building. The warming center is ADA accessible and offers electricity, a fireplace, benches, bathrooms, and small food prep room with small refrigerator, 3 sinks, hot water, and countertops, plus a charcoal grill outside. The recreation building can accommodate a maximum of 70 people. It must be cleaned upon departure, and checked in/out by a park employee.
The Warming Center is located right by the toboggan run, there is a large parking lot for guests.
SHELTER HOUSE RATES
Shelter house fees may vary across dates. The rates below give you a good idea of the cost. The displayed rates do not include any fees or taxes. You can find out specific rate information for your desired dates when reserving online or by phone.
SHELTER HOUSE RESERVATIONS
The shelter houses may be reserved up to one year (to the day) in advance.
To make reservations:
Call toll free 1-866-6-CAMP-IN (1-866-622-6746)
Make online reservations – This link takes you to all Pokagon campsites, shelter, and rec building reservations.
Just filter for Shelter and you will see the 5 reservable shelters. If you filter for Rec Building you will see 1 available.
Reservation period is from 9 am to 11 pm daily. Shelter not reserved one day in advance will be open on a free, first-come, first-served basis.
