Kankakee River State Park RV & Campground Guide
Illinois
Kankakee River State Park
is in northeastern Illinois in the town of Bourbonnais. The park encompasses 4,000 acres along both sides of an 11-mile stretch of the Kankakee River. The park sits on land the Potawatomi Indians called "Te-yar-ac-ke," which means "wonderful land." The park is a favorite spot for fishing, hiking, canoeing, bicycling, camping, and more within a stunningly peaceful setting. The towns of Kankakee, Frankfort, and Bradley are within a short distance to fill out your trip with dining, shopping, and activities.
Spring 29-63 F
Summer 59-85 F
Fall 31-78 F
Winter 20-36 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Kankakee River State Park
The best way to experience every state park is to travel and stay in an RV. Having a cozy space in which to unwind after a day full of activities creates lovely memories. Many state parks provide affordable on-site RV camping facilities that put all the fun right at your doorstep.
To make the most of your state park trip, look no further than RVshare. RVshare is a comprehensive recreational vehicle rental site that matches you with the perfect travel trailer, camper, or motorhome that best suits your needs. When you rent with RVshare, you will enjoy perks such as 24/7 roadside assistance and nationwide insurance.
Kankakee River State Park
Kankakee River State Park has two RV-accessible campgrounds for your enjoyment. The Potawatomi campground offers shower facilities, a dump station, and flush toilets, and all sites have electricity hookups. The campsites are for RVs 35 feet long or smaller. Nightly rates run from $10 to $35. The Chippewa campground has Class B and Class C sites but no shower facilities and few electric sites. A pump for water and a dump station are available. Nightly rates range from $8 to $20.
- Water hookup: No
- Electrical hookup: Yes (Potawatomi), some (Chippewa)
- Sewer hookup: No
- Wi-Fi: No
- Pet-friendly: Yes
- Other amenities: Picnic area, grills, nature center, playground, shelters
Kankakee South KOA Campground
A short drive from the park is the Kankakee South KOA Campground in Chebanse, Illinois. The campground's amenities include a swimming pool, game room, playground, volleyball, and basketball. Rates range between $42 and $75 nightly.
- Water hookup: Yes
- Electrical hookup: Yes
- Sewer hookup: Yes
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- Pet-friendly: Yes
- Other amenities: Scheduled activities seasonally, camp store, dog park, trash pickup
Enchanted Shores Campground
The Enchanted Shores Campground in Peotone, Illinois, is a quiet respite from exploration with campsites in a country setting. A store offers camping essentials, and spots are available for $35 nightly.
- Water hookup: Yes
- Electrical hookup: Yes
- Sewer hookup: Yes
- Wi-Fi: No
- Pet-friendly: Yes
- Other amenities: Picnic tables, fire rings, playground, propane, laundry, basketball court, volleyball
What to Do at
Kankakee River State Park
Inside Kankakee River State Park
Kankakee River State Park offers activity options all year. Try biking, hiking, equestrian trails, camping, canoeing, fishing, and geocaching. Unusual options for fun include the archery range, metal detecting, snowmobile trails, cross-country skiing, hunting, and boating. Miles of trails, many of them paved, follow both sides of the river and allow you to take in nature and observe all types of wildlife.
Outside Kankakee River State Park
This rural region of Illinois is an escape full of antique stores and mom and pop businesses that bring back the charm of olden days. Museums mark local history while shopping and dining options provide ample diversity to suit various tastes. There are also plenty of family-friendly activities for those who are traveling with children.
Restaurants
BrickStone Brewery
Enjoy hearty food like the pot roast sandwich at BrickStone Brewery, open every day of the week. A kids' menu and ample beer choices keep everyone happy.
Type: American
Location: 557 William R Latham Sr Dr, Bourbonnais, IL 60914
Burgers & Beer
Burgers & Beer tempts you with original creations such as the Bleu Baller. Better yet, create your own masterpiece. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner and also offers sandwiches and a kids' menu.
Type: American, Pub
Location: 756 W Jeffery St, Kankakee, IL 60901
Blue's Cafe
Serving lunch and dinner, this family-run establishment offers home cooking. An extensive menu offers something for every appetite. Don't forget homemade pie for dessert.
Type: Diner
Location: 1190 W Station St, Kankakee, IL 60901
Koi Asian Bistro
From sushi to shrimp tempura, Koi Asian Bistro offers a variety of Asian food and is open for lunch and dinner. Some options are vegan, gluten-free, and vegetarian-friendly.
Type: Japanese, Sushi, Asian
Location: 906 N Convent St, Bourbonnais, IL 60914
Yolks & Berries
If breakfast, brunch, or lunch is your thing, you must stop at Yolks & Berries to try out the Belgian waffles, crepes, or hearty egg creations from stuffed omelets to the lighter Healthy Scrambler.
Type: Diner
Location: 505 N Kinzie Ave, Bradley, IL 60915
Shopping
Indian Oaks Anitque Mall
Wander 18,000 square feet of pickers paradise that sells everything including jewelry, decorative pieces, glassware, and all types of furniture from vintage to Amish. Candles, specialty food items, and more are also available.
Location: 1300 Larry Power Rd, Bourbonnais, IL 60914
Traditions on Main
Stop at Traditions on Main for a unique selection of Americana, including handcrafted pottery, quilts, and gifts from Amish country, coastal Carolina, and more. Don't miss the specialty items like small-batch gourmet foods and tea from America's only plantation.
Location: 91 N Main St, Manteno, IL 60950
Eckert's Country Store & Farms.
Load up on fresh produce and delicious treats at Eckert's Country Store & Farms. Pick apples from the orchard, or visit the store for apple cider, honey, pumpkin, and apple butter, jams, and Amish salsas, and take part in seasonal family activities.
Location: 20995 Eckert Orchard Rd, Grafton, IL 62037
Off The Vine Winery
Come to Off The Vine Winery for the wine tastings or a selection from the espresso bar, and leave with delicious gift baskets, wine accessories, liquor, and more.
Location: 121 E Washington St, Momence, IL 60954
Sincerely, Salli's
Recently relocated from Wilmington, Sincerely, Salli's is chock-full of antiques, including vintage home decor, collectibles, glassware, and gifts.
Location: 47 W Second St, Manteno, IL 60481
Sightseeing
B. Harley Bradley House
Tour the B. Harley Bradley House, a circa 1900 Frank Lloyd Wright home where the famous designer first took control over the interior furnishings as well as windows and exterior architecture. This is one of two local homes that inspired his future work.
Location: 701 S Harrison Ave, Kankakee, IL 60901
Exploration Station Children's Museum
Let your kids ages 2-8 enjoy an afternoon of learning, building, climbing, exploring, and more at Exploration Station Children's Museum, an interactive museum full of fun exhibits. The museum also offers a sensory area where smaller children can safely explore.
Location: 1095 W Perry Dr, Bourbonnais, IL 60914
Kankakee Railroad Museum
Learn about the history of trains, take a tour of different types of train cars, and watch the model trains in action at the Kankakee Railroad Museum. It's great fun for anyone with an interest in trains.
Location: 197 S E Ave, Kankakee, IL 60901
Perry Farm Park
Follow paved trails to the famous local Indian Caves, or stop in at the historic farmstead or Barnyard Playground at Perry Farm Park, a wonderfully beautiful and creative 170-acre park.
Location: 459 N Kennedy Drive, Bourbonnais, IL 60914
Strickler Planetarium
Located on the Olivet Nazarene University campus, Strickler Planetarium is a digitally optimized planetarium that welcomes guests to real-time simulations of planet exploration and space flights along with up-to-date astronomical discoveries.
Location: 1 University Ave, Bourbonnais, IL 60914
How to Get to
Kankakee River State Park
From the north or south: Take I-57 to Exit 315 (Bradley-Bourbonnais); then, take Route 50 south to Armour Rd. Turn right on Armour Road to the third stoplight, Route 102. Turn west (right) on Route 102 and travel 7 miles to the park entrance.
From the north: Take I-55 to Exit 238 (Braidwood); then, go south on Route 129 to Strip Mine Rd. Turn east (left) and travel into Wilmington where you will turn right on Water Street, which then becomes Route 102. The park is 10 miles east of Wilmington.
From the south: Take I-55 north to the Dwight Exit (Route 17). Turn east and travel about 20 miles and take a left (north) onto Warner Bridge Road and travel 10 miles where you turn right (east) onto Route 102. The park office is 1.5 miles ahead.
The Kankakee River State Park address is 5314 W. Rt. 102, Bourbonnais, IL 60914.
Entering Kankakee River State Park
Kankakee River State Park is open daily. Day-use hours are from 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Entry per person : $0
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