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Kankakee River State Park |
Kankakee River State Park
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*5314 West Rt. 102
Bourbonnais, IL 60914
815.933.1383
UPDATE:
* The Day Use area on the west side of Warner bridge will be open 9am - 9pm
daily. No camping is allowed in this area.
* Riding Stables are closed until further notice.
On land treasured for centuries - first by Native Americans, later by traders
and farmers, and as early as the 1890's by recreation seekers - Kankakee River
State Park offers you its proud heritage in an unspoiled setting. Anglers,
canoeists, hunters, campers, hikers, bicyclers and other outdoor enthusiasts
find the park's recreational opportunities unsurpassed. The naturally channeled
Kankakee River, listed on the Federal Clean Streams Register, is the focus of
the park's popularity.
Enveloping both sides of the Kankakee River for 11 miles, in an area 6 miles
northwest of Kankakee, the park consists of approximately 4,000 acres. Illinois
Routes 102 on the north and 113 on the south frame the park, with Interstates 55
and 57 both providing convenient access.
History
Several prehistoric sites are documented within Kankakee River State Park. The
park is within a region used by Illini and Miami Indians at the time of the
first European contact in the 1670s and 1680s. By 1685 the Miami were
sufficiently numerous that the Kankakee River was called the River of the Miami.
Kickapoo and Mascouten also were in the region from 1679 until the 1760s.
Potawatomi Indians hunted along the Kankakee River in the 1760s, and by the
1770s, the Potawatomi, Ottawa and Chippewa nations - "The Three Fires" -
dominated the area. The most extensive village was "Rock Village" or "Little
Rock Village" inside the present-day park near the mouth of Rock Creek. In 1830
it was the site of the last great Indian Council. Following the Black Hawk War
in 1832, the Potawatomi ceded all of their land along the Kankakee and Illinois
rivers to the United States. Most Potawatomi left the area by the end of the
decade, except for Chief Shaw-waw-nas-see, whose grave is commemorated by a
boulder along the nature trail at Rock Creek.
Noel Le Vasseur and other fur traders, including Hubbard Chabare and
Bourbonnais, traded with the Potawatomi along the Kankakee and Iroquois rivers
in the 1820s. When the Potawatomi left the area in 1838, Le Vasseur persuaded a
number of his fellow French Canadians to emigrate from Quebec to the Bourbonnais
Township area. Because of his settlement efforts, he is called "the father of
Kankakee."
A Marker on the west bank of Rock Creek Bridge commemorates the log cabin
village of Rockville. It was begun in 1840, nine years after William Baker and
other Euro-Americans first began farming along the Kankakee River.
The Kankakee & Iroquois Navigation Company - later known as the Kankakee Company
- was chartered in 1847 to provide water power and a navigable waterway from the
Illinois & Michigan Canal to Warner's Landing, along the site of the present-day
Warner Bridge Road. The company failed in the early 1880s, shortly after the
Wabash Railroad came through. At the Chippewa Campground, hand-cut limestone
pillars mark where a railway bridge was to have been built before financiers ran
out of money.
Just inside the park's main entrance is the Smith Cemetery with the graves of
several family members, most of whom died of yellow fever at the turn of the
century.
A major industry in the area in the 1890s was the Custer Bowery Amusement Park,
which frequently drew crowds from Chicago. The park was gone by the 1920s, but
by then the river had become a popular spot for summer cottages. The area became
more accessible to vacationers in 1928 when concrete roads were built along both
sides of the river. In 1938 Chicago resident Ethel Sturges Dummer donated 35
acres of land for a state park. Commonwealth Edison turned over another 1,715
acres to the state in 1956. With the company's additional grants in 1989, the
park now roughly totals 4,000 acres.
Hunting
The park's abundant wildlife makes it a popular spot for hunters. Only bow
hunting is allowed for deer. Firearm hunting is permitted for duck, pheasant,
woodcock, dove, rabbit, squirrel, fox, coyote and racoon. Before taking any
game, contact the site superintendent for opening dates, shooting times and
areas open to hunting. There is an Archery Hunt - Deer for the physically
challenged from November 1-21. Call the park for more information.
Hunter Fact Sheets: General | Waterfowl | Furbearer | Momence Waterfowl |
Momence Wetlands
Fishing
The Kankakee is a clean river, great for landing smallmouth bass, channel
catfish, walleye and northern pike. Rock Creek is also a good spot. The park has
two boat ramps for launching craft with motors of 10 horsepower or less -
there's a launch at the Chippewa Campground and a launch at Area 9 parking lot
on the south side of the river. However, please realize boating can be hazardous
because the river is shallow and rocky.
Canoeing
The river's shallow water and rocks are no problem for canoeists. Bring your
canoe and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Camping
Pleasant sites at reasonable prices make Kankakee River State Park a great place
to pitch camp. Potawatomi Campground, a Class A area, has 110 sites and two
Rent-a-Cabins in a wooded setting. More than 150 sites are offered at Chippewa
Campground, which has Class B electric and C facilities. Reservations are taken
for Kankakee River Class A, B, and C campgrounds. The Park closes at 10pm and
all campgrounds observe quiet hours from 10pm - 7am. No vehicular traffic is
allowed during this time. You must be 18 years old to rent a campsite and you
must be able to establish your camp at the time you obtain a permit. All
campsites share a picnic table and a campgrill. Camping is only allowed in the
campgrounds.
Potawatomi Campground Map | Chippewa Campground Map | Campground Reservation
Form | Campground Cabin Reservation Form | Cabin Information Sheet
Camping takes place year round in the Chippewa campground but there is no shower
available at this campground. Potawatomi Campground is open only thru the
camping season.
Kankakee River Equestrian Trails Schedule
April 1 - Mid May
1 p.m. to Sunset
Mid May - August 31
Sunrise to Sunset
September
Sunrise to 11 a.m.
October
Sunrise to Sunset
The Equestrian Campground off Illinois Route 113 is open only from April 1
through October 31. However, the Equestrian Trails operate on a seasonal basis,
please see the chart for dates and hours of operation:
Equestrian Campground Map
Davis Creek Campground is available by reservation for chaperoned youth and
church groups. All areas require camping permits, available at the park office
or from park personnel in state vehicles. *All correspondence should be mailed
to P.O.Box 37, Bourbonnais, IL 60914 | Campground Map | Campground Reservation
Form
Picnicking
For a light lunch or a large get-together, check out the park's picnic areas.
Shelters and tables are placed in pleasant settings throughout the park, and
you'll also find playgrounds in several locations. Shelters are available on a
first-come first-served basis. All shelters have campgrills. Three shelters may
be reserved by calling the park office for reservation forms. Groups of 25 or
more are asked to obtain a permit, which is free, at least two weeks before
planning to visit the park.
Shelter Reservation Form | Shelter Maps and Information Sheet
Trails
 winter walkThe
park's trail system stretches for miles along both sides of the river. Hiking,
biking and cross-country ski trails are on the river's north side, while horse
and snowmobile trails can be found on the south. A 3-mile route along Rock Creek
lets hikers take in the beauty of limestone canyons and a frothy waterfall. A
bicycle trail begins at Davis Creek Area and travels 10.5 miles of trails in the
form of a linear trail along the river and a loop in the west end of the park.
Kankakee River Equestrian Trails Schedule
April 1 - Mid May
1 p.m. to Sunset
Mid May - August 31
Sunrise to Sunset
September
Sunrise to 11 a.m.
October
Sunrise to Sunset
* we recommend that equestrians wear blaze orange as hunting is also in this
area
A 12-mile equestrian trail is located in the wildlife management area along
Route 113 and is open April 1 through October 31. When there's snow cover of 4
inches
or more, the park is open from sunrise to sunset for snowmobiling. Directional
signs for trails are posted and maps are available at the park office.
Riding Stables
Rent a horse at the park's riding stables on Deselm Road, 0.75 mile north of
Route 102. Guided horse rides, pony rides and cookouts all can be arranged at
the stables. UPDATE: 07/12/06 - Riding Stables are closed until further notice.
Concession Stand
Note: The Concession operates on a seasonal basis. Please call the site ahead of
time to make sure the concession is open for business. 2005 hours are Fri-Sun
11am - 5pm during camping season.
For refreshments, ice, camping supplies, firewood, and bait visit the log cabin
concession stand, just inside the park's main entrance on the right. Hunting and
fishing licenses are available as well.
Park Restrictions
Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in the park at all times.
Because the Kankakee River is unpredictable with its fast current, drop offs and
rocky bottom, no swimming is allowed in the park in any area, including Rock
Creek.
All motorized vehicles are prohibited on all of the Kankakee River State Park
Trails. Motorized vehicles are not allowed on the bicycle trail.
Quiet Hours are 10pm - 7am. Campground gates are locked and no vehicle traffic
is allowed.
Directions
From North or South on Interstate 57, Take I 57 to Exit 315
(Bradley-Bourbonnais) Take Rte. 50 south to the first stop light which is Armour
Rd. Turn right on Armour Rd. and go to the 3rd stop light which is Rte. 102.
Turn right (west) on Rte.102. The park is located 7 miles west on Rte. 102.
From the North on Interstate 55, Take I 55 to exit 238 (Braidwood). Take Rte.
129 south until coming to Strip Mine Rd. Turn left (east) on Strip Mine Rd.
Follow this road until coming to a small town called Wilmington. In Wilmington,
turn right on Water Street. Water Street becomes Rte 102. The park is located 10
miles east of Wilmington on Rte. 102.
From the South on Interstate 55, Take I-55 north to Dwight Exit (Rte.17). Take
Rte. 17 east. Go approximately 20 miles to Warner Bridge Rd. Turn left (north)
on Warner Bridge Rd. Follow this road approximately 10 miles until coming to
Rte. 102. Turn right (east) on Rte. 102. The park office is located 1 1/2 miles
east of Warner Bridge Rd.
* While groups of 25 or more are welcome and encouraged to use the park's
facilities, they are required to register in advance with the site office to
avoid crowding or scheduling conflicts.
* At least one responsible adult must accompany each group of 15 minors.
* Pets must be kept on leashes at all times.
* Actions by nature can result in closed roads and other facilities. Please call
ahead to the park office before you make your trip.
* We hope you enjoy your stay. Remember, take only memories, leave only
footprints.
* For more information on tourism in Illinois, call the Illinois Department of
Commerce and Community Affairs' Bureau of Tourism at 1-800-2Connect.
* Telecommunication Device for Deaf and Hearing Impaired Natural Resources
Information (217) 782-9175 for TDD only Relay Number 800-526-0844.
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