Pokagon State Park Toboggan Run Tips for an EPIC Adventure

A Family Guide to the Most Epic Winter Adventure in Indiana

Some families like to spend their whole winter snowboarding or skiing, but our family is a little different. Every year, my crew loads up the van and makes the snowy drive to Angola, Indiana. Pokagon State Park has become one of our favorite winter getaway spots. We meet up with our friends and all of their kids, and before we’ve even finished unpacking, the kids are already asking when we’re heading to the Pokagon State Park Toboggan Run. That answer is always the same. As soon as possible. The laughter, the cold wind on your face, and the thrill of flying down that track make it one of the best winter adventures in Indiana.

Pokagon feels like a place where every age gets to play. My kids talk about it for weeks afterward. The toboggan run is the highlight of the whole trip. My youngest went when she was barely old enough to string a sentence together. Quinn once refused to leave the run even though the temperatures were down in the single digits. The toboggan run at Pokagon gives families the kind of memories you tell stories about for years.

What Makes the Pokagon State Park Toboggan Run So Special?

If you’ve never been, picture this. A giant wooden tower, two refrigerated lanes, and a 1,780-foot-long icy track that carries you and up to three other riders on a real toboggan. The ride lasts around 20 to 30 seconds, but those seconds fly by. The top recorded speed is 42 miles per hour. My kids call it the winter roller coaster of Indiana.

One of the reasons we love the Pokagon toboggan run is that it operates from Thanksgiving through February. The tracks are refrigerated, so snow is not required. Even when Indiana has a warmer winter, Pokagon still runs the toboggans. It is one of the only winter attractions that is guaranteed to be open even when the weather is questionable.

Pokagon State Park: A Winter Wonderland for Indiana Families

Pokagon State Park is tucked right off I-69 in the northeast corner of the state. It is an easy 2.5-hour road trip from Indianapolis, and it is absolutely worth the drive. The park is beautiful all year long, but winter transforms it. Frozen lakes, rolling hills, snow-covered trails, and the big stone and log structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps give the whole place a cozy winter feel.

Pokagon, named after Leopold and Simon Pokagon of the Potawatomi tribe, is framed by Lake James and Snow Lake. In the summer, these lakes are busy with boats, fishing, and families swimming. In the winter, they become quiet and peaceful. On many of our trips, we have watched ice fishermen setting up their gear and snowmobiles zipping across the frozen surface. When the lake is frozen solid, families sometimes skate on the cleared-off sections. I love seeing kids bundled up, running around near the shoreline, rolling snowballs, and building snow houses.

Riding the Toboggan Run at Pokagon State Park

The Pokagon State Park toboggan run has two side-by-side tracks. You can race your friends or challenge your own speed. Some of my favorite photos from past trips show the kids bundled up on the bridge, peeking over the rails while the sleds shoot past underneath.

Our kids have been riding since they were tiny. Lulu tried it at 20 months old and laughed the whole way down. Quinn, at two and a half years old, once rode it over and over until we had to lure her away with the promise of hot chocolate. There are no age or height requirements. Children simply need to understand the rules and be able to follow directions.

The sleds seat up to four people and cost twenty dollars per hour per sled. If your group is efficient at carrying the sled back up, you can get quite a few rides in during an hour. The sleds weigh either thirty pounds or sixty pounds. The heavier sleds go faster, but they are tougher to carry. When we bring all six of us, we rent one toboggan and take turns riding. It turns into a full family workout carrying the sleds back up the hill, but it’s worth it.

There is a speedometer set up at the fastest point of the track. My older kids love checking how fast they are going. It becomes a friendly competition every single year.

Staying Warm at the Pokagon Toboggan Run

Pokagon has a Warming Center located right by the run. If you want a break between rides, you can thaw out your fingers, grab a snack, and watch the sleds zoom down from the windows. The Warming Center has tables, benches, restrooms, and concessions. Outside food is not allowed inside, but there are picnic tables outside for families who pack their own meals. Tailgating is popular in the lower parking lot. More than once, we have seen families grilling or setting up full winter picnics.

There is also a campfire area near the walkway. My kids love warming their hands before heading back to the track.

Hours and Pricing for the Pokagon State Park Toboggan Run

The Pokagon State Park Toboggan Run is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 5:30 pm from November 28, 2025, through March 1, 2026. It is also open on several holiday dates, including New Year’s Day, MLK Day, and Presidents’ Day.

Rentals are twenty dollars per sled per hour. They do not charge per rider. There are both three-person and four-person sleds available. You can only rent sleds during open hours, and you must have a driver’s license or state ID to use as a deposit. The toboggan run will close if temperatures drop to zero degrees or below.

When to Visit the Pokagon State Park Toboggan Run

We have learned through several trips that the best times to visit are first thing in the morning or later in the afternoon. If you want to go early, arrive thirty minutes before opening. The line builds quickly on busy weekends. If the rental shop runs out of sleds, they place families on a waiting list. Since rentals are only for an hour, the wait moves fast.

Temperatures matter. On extremely cold days, kids get tired quickly. Pack extra gloves because they get wet and frozen fast. Bring sunglasses or goggles if you have them. The wind hits your face hard at high speeds. I always pack hand warmers in my coat pocket for myself and the kids.

Tips for Families Visiting the Pokagon Toboggan Run

• Arrive early or go late to avoid the busiest lines
• Bring warm gloves for every rider
• Pack hand warmers and goggles if you have them
• Bring extra layers because temperatures drop quickly
• If you want great Pokagon State Park toboggan run photos, send one adult to the bridge
• Consider renting a lighter sled if you are carrying it alone
• Be patient on popular weekends
• Bring small snacks for breaks outside
• Check the temperature before leaving because the run closes at zero degrees
• Budget for the state park entrance fee

Getting to the Pokagon State Park Toboggan Run

Pokagon is located just outside Angola in northeastern Indiana. From Indianapolis, the drive is about two and a half hours, depending on traffic and weather. You will likely pass through Fort Wayne, which is a great stopping point if you want to stretch your legs. If your family loves ice cream, Ivanhoe’s is a fun stop along the way.

Always check the weather before you leave. If temperatures are too cold, the run closes. If you are unsure, you can check the schedule online or call the park at (260) 833 2012.

Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing at Pokagon State Park

If your kids love being outdoors in the winter, Pokagon offers so much more than the toboggan run. You can rent cross-country skis or snowshoes at the Warming Center. Youth rentals are five dollars per hour, and adult rentals are eight dollars per hour. Snowshoes are ten dollars per hour.

The trails are beautiful in the snow. My kids love exploring the woods, and even the short trails feel like an adventure when everything is quiet and covered in white.

Staying at the Potawatomi Inn at Pokagon State Park

One of the best things about Pokagon is that you can stay right on-site. The Potawatomi Inn has 138 guest rooms and cabins. There are two restaurants, a pool, a hot tub, and lots of activities for families. We usually stay with a group, and the kids bounce between the indoor pool, the arcade, the craft room, and the game room. It is one of those places where kids are never bored.

The nature center is right outside the Inn. We have heard great things about it, but somehow we always fill our days with activities and have not made it in yet.

Angola has plenty of restaurants, including chain favorites. You can also pack your own food, but the hotel rooms do not include microwaves or refrigerators, so plan accordingly.

Lake James in the Winter

Lake James is one of our favorite parts of Pokagon. When conditions are safe, families can walk near the shore, play in the snow, and enjoy the frozen landscape. Some years, the lake is cleared for ice skating. Watching the sun set across the frozen lake is one of my favorite winter memories.

Always check with DNR staff before going onto the frozen lake. Safety varies depending on the weather.

Plan Your Winter Trip to the Pokagon State Park Toboggan Run

The Pokagon State Park toboggan run is one of the best winter adventures in Indiana. It is thrilling, it is family-friendly, and it creates memories your kids will talk about all year long. Whether your family is filled with fearless riders or you just want a cozy winter getaway, Pokagon State Park gives you the perfect mix of excitement and calm.

We hope you have the best day at the Pokagon State Park Toboggan Run! If your kids can’t wait to do more winter activities, look into skiing and snowboarding near Indianapolis. For an epic adventure closer to home, visit the Ice at Carter Green for outdoor ice skating in Carmel, check out a local sledding hill, pick one of our 100 winter break activity recommendations, or think about all of the other ways to play in the snow.

Address
450 Lane 100 Lake James
Angola
IN

Visit Pokagon State Park Toboggan Run Tips for an EPIC Adventure

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