RV Dump Stations Near Kankakee, IL
Gary, Indiana is known as being the birthplace of the Jackson 5 and surrounded by large steel mills. In fact, the city is named after the chairman of the U.S. Steel Corporation, Elbert Henry Gary.
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Home to roughly 113,000 residents, Kankakee is a small community that serves as the county seat. The city and Kankakee County are named after the Kankakee River, which flows through the southwestern section of the town. While the surrounding landscape is relatively rural, Kankakee is only an hour away from the heart of Chicago. In addition, the Illinois-Indiana border is 15 miles away, which makes this town a great starting point for exploring attractions throughout the region.
Before French Canadian immigrants settled in the area in 1834, the grounds were home to the Pottawatomi tribe of Native Americans. Immigrants from Vermont and New York quickly followed these first French Canadian settlers. The area's population grew relatively slowly over the decades. In 1860, the population was slightly more than 15,000. By 1930, roughly 50,000 people called Kankakee home.
While you can conveniently explore attractions throughout Chicago and beyond during your RV trip to Kankakee, there is much to see and do in Kankakee itself. For example, you can expand your knowledge of the area's history and culture by visiting top-rated museums and historical spots. Some of these are the Kankakee County Museum, the Riverview Historic District, the Kankakee Railroad Museum, and the French Heritage Museum. In the heart of the town, the commercial district has numerous restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues to explore. You can canoe on the river or go hiking at Kankakee River State Park for outdoor fun. In addition, Perry Farm Park has several walking trails, orchards, and gardens to explore.
Campgrounds Near Kankakee, Illinois
Blackwell Family Campground is located in the Blackwell Forest Preserve, which covers 1,366 acres. The preservation area features mature trees, rolling hills, grasslands, and abundant wildlife. At Blackwell Family Campground, you will find 60 RV sites with electric hookups, a picnic table, a fire ring, and gravel parking. The sites are available for $30 per night. In addition, guests have access to portable toilets, a shower house, and a dump station. With the campground's location near the Blackwell Forest Preserve, activities like stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, picnicking and more are nearby.
For a different vacation experience, you can stay at the Hollywood Casino Joliet RV Park, the region's only RV park located at a casino. This park offers 80 RV sites, some of which are shaded or partially shaded. The well-spaced RV spots are located on a grassy landscape with connecting walkways. RV campers have access to all the amenities available in the casino and its hotel. In addition, four restaurants are onsite, and the casino offers slots, table games, and sportsbook betting.
Camp Bullfrog Lake is a beautiful campground located directly on the lake's shore near Palos Preserves. This is a small campground, and only two sites accommodate RVs. These sites both have a picnic table and a raised fire pit. On the grounds, you can access a fishing pier and take advantage of kayak rentals. A nature play area, an indoor bathroom with showers, a camp store, and trail access are also available.
State Parks Near Kankakee, Illinois
Kankakee River State Park sits less than 10 miles from the heart of Kankakee. Its 4,000 acres of land wind along both sides of the river make it the perfect destination for water activities. Channel catfish, smallmouth bass, walleye, and other species are abundant in the waters. Two boat ramps are available within the park as well. In addition to fishing and canoeing on the river, visitors take advantage of its scenic trails for cycling and hiking. The park also offers horseback riding, camping, archery, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling accommodations.
Illini State Park is located 53 miles west of Kankakee on 510 acres. The wooded landscape sits on the southern shore of the Illinois River, not far from Marseilles. Visitors often take advantage of the opportunity to watch barges navigate through the Marseilles Locks, a canal constructed in the 1920s to facilitate trade. In addition to being home to hickory, oak, maple, and other grand trees, the park is a natural habitat for numerous wildlife species year-round. Campsites, a play area, and a boat ramp are available for visitors.
Indiana Dunes State Park is close to the national park with which it shares its name. This is a 2,182-acre preserved area that offers three miles of coastline on Lake Michigan and 16.5 miles of trails. Navigating away from the sandy beach, you can explore a hardwood forest and marshy areas that are ideal for birdwatching. Interpretive nature displays, picnic areas, and campsites are also located on the grounds.
National Sites Near Kankakee, Illinois
Pullman National Monument is notable as the country's first planned industrial community and is now part of a historic district. Located in Chicago, this is the site of the famed Pullman strike in 1894 and the location where the Pullman train cars were produced. Within the historic district today, you will find the A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum, the landmark manufacturing facility, and Hotel Florence. USA Today Travel and the American Institute of Architects have both acclaimed their outstanding architectural features.
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail marks the location where a large glacier descended more than 12,000 years ago. This trail spans roughly 1,200 miles and follows the outline of the glacier at its southernmost point. Along the trail, you can view the incredible geological formations that the glacier created. The trail is popular for outdoor recreational activities like hiking, snowshoeing, and biking. It crosses by or through St. Croix River, Potawatomi State Park, and Interstate Park.
The Lincoln Home National Historic Site in Springfield is the location of Abraham Lincoln's residence between 1844 and 1861. This 12-acre district includes four city blocks surrounding the Lincoln residence and the associated visitors' center. This 12-room house is where three of Lincoln's children were born and where one passed away. This is also where Lincoln lived when he was elected to the House of Representatives and the presidency.
National Forests Near Kankakee, Illinois
Hoosier National Forest is a 202,814-acre protected area located in southern Indiana. Amidst the heavily-wooded grounds, you can find historic destinations like the Jacob Rickenbaugh House, the Potts Creek Rockshelter Archeological Site, and Lick Creek Settlement. The forest's 266-mile trail system is well-suited for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking, and it takes you through the Hemlock Cliffs Valley, near seasonal waterfalls, and to various sandstone cliffs.
From Kankakee, you will also be in a great location to explore the Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri. This area expands across more than three million acres, including the Silver Mines Recreation area, parts of the St. Francis River, the Eleven Point National Scenic River, and a good portion of the Ozark Trail system. Many of the trails in the forest are suitable for motorized vehicles, such as motorcycles, UTVs, and ATVs. In addition, the Glade Top Trail National Scenic Byway is a popular way to view the Boston Mountains in the distance.
Huron-Manistee National Forests in Michigan are two closely affiliated forests administered together. Collectively, they cover 978,906 acres on Michigan's Lower Peninsula. The Lumberman's Monument commemorates the logging industry's early days and is a notable attraction. In addition, the AuSable River and the Pere Marquette River are popular spots for canoeing and fishing. You'll find 330 miles of hiking trails throughout the forests, providing an excellent way to explore varied landscapes. Endurance mountain biking, camping, snowmobiling, and hunting are just a few other popular activities enjoyed here.
Road Trips Starting from Kankakee, IL
Best National Parks Near Kankakee, IL
Indiana Dunes National Park is only 73 miles from Kankakee. This 15,349-acre protected area includes 20 miles of water frontage on Lake Michigan. Some more notable points of interest in this national park are Dunes Creek, East Arm Little Calumet River, Salt Creek, and Trail Creek. The landscape is diverse, with sandy beaches, bogs, prairies, and more to explore. Such diversity supports abundant wildlife, including beavers, swallows, wood ducks, and sedges. Birdwatching, camping, hiking, cross-country skiing, and swimming are only some of the many ways to spend your time at Indiana Dunes National Park.
Gateway Arch National Park is 250 miles from Kankakee in neighboring Missouri. Situated in the heart of St. Louis, this park marks the historical starting point of the famed Lewis and Clark Expedition. While it is only 90.9 acres, this park is historically significant for several other reasons. For example, it commemorates the Louisiana Purchase and is the site of the landmark Dred Scott legal case. When you visit the park, you can tour the Old Courthouse where this case was heard, ascend to the top of the arch, tour the museum and explore the Mississippi River by boat.
Roughly 350 miles east of Kankakee, Cuyahoga Valley National Park covers over 32,000 acres. The park runs along the Cuyahoga River and features forests, bedrock outcrops, waterfalls, ravines, and other natural features. One of its most famous waterfalls is Brandywine Falls, which is 65 feet tall. Other notable areas of interest in the park are the Talus caves, the 20-mile Towpath Trail, Kendall Hills, and the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. The park also has numerous historic sites, such as the Hale Farm and Village and a portion of the Ohio and Erie Canal.
Popular State Parks Near Kankakee, IL
Must-see Monuments and Landmarks Near Kankakee, IL
RVshare’s Top Picks for Nearby RV Parks & Campgrounds
Blackwell Family CampgroundHollywood Casino Joliet RV ParkYogi Bear’s Jellystone ParkMartin CampgroundLaSalle/Peru KOAHi-Tide Beach & Campground
RV Rentals Near Kankakee, IL
Frequently Asked Questions About Renting an RV Near Kankakee, IL
How much does it cost to rent an RV in Kankakee?Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Kankakee, IL, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Kankakee?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Kankakee from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Kankakee?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.