Bike, hike, hunt or camp at the state park

By By Bill Byrns

Date Modified: 07/18/2009 8:55 AM

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For more information:
Kankakee River State Park
P.O. Box 37
Bourbonnais, Il. 60914
telephone: (815) 933-1383
INFO BOX  below story

By Bill Byrns
bbyrns@daily-journal.com
815-468-7349

The quiet beauty of Kankakee River State Park offers an escape from the work-a-day world that attracts visitors from as far away as the northern Chicago suburbs.
At over 4,000 acres, the park is easily the region’s biggest attraction.
“Kankakee River is one of Illinois’ most attended state parks,” said Chris McCloud, a spokesman for the Department of Natural Resources.
    Last year Kankakee River ranked third among the state’s most-visited park. Kankakee attracted over 1.5 million people according to the state’s latest attendance numbers. Only Starved Rock and downstate Fort Massac, with 1.8 million and 1.6 million visitors respectively, outpaced Kankakee.
Scenic Rock Creek Canyon is easily this popular park’s most popular attraction.
The creek cuts a deep ravine through the dolomite bedrock at the park on its way to the Kankakee River. A small waterfall lies at the north end of the ravine.
A suspension bridge allows a bike trail at the main park to cross the creek. The trail runs 11.5 miles from the Davis Creek Annex, just outside Bourbonnais, to the Will County line.
Another three-mile nature trail runs along Rock Creek between Deselm Road and a day use area on Illinois Route 102.
Roughly divided by the Kankakee River, the park offers a variety of biking and hiking trails, camping, fishing, picnicking and playgrounds   opportunities that are easily accessible off Route 102.
South of the river are a series of public access areas for hunting, horseback riding, snowmobiling and trap shooting.
The main park offers picnic pavilions, a playground, several ball fields, a pioneer cemetery, scenic overlooks, and a concession stand along Rock Creek Canyon.
 A small Nature Center is another popular attraction just across from the park office. The center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.
The park offers three campgrounds; 110 sites at Potawatomi at the east end of the main park; 150 at Chippewa along Route 102 just north of Warner Bridge; and a small equestrian campground on Illinois Route 113 just south of Warner Bridge.
Another campground at the Davis Creek Annex is reserved for youth groups.
A quarantine to prevent the spread of the emerald ash borer means that “firewood cannot be brought into the park,” Park Superintendent Kathy Pangle said. Cooking grills are located at some campsites and at all park shelters.
The park also offers some of the best smallmouth bass fishing to be found in northern Illinois. Crappie, channel catfish, northern pike and walleye are also found in good numbers.

INFO BOX
State park attractions:
Biking, hiking
• A 10.5 mile multi-use trail runs from the Davis Creek Annex through the Chippewa Campground along Illinois Route 102.
• Another 3 mile route runs along Rock Creek from the Day Use Area on Route 102 to the trailhead at Deselm Road.

Camping
• 110 Class A sites and two rental cabins are located at the Potawatomi Campgrounds.
• The Chippewa Campgrounds offers over 150 sites r including 53 sites with electric hookups and 44 tent campsites.
• An equestrian campgrounds off Route 113 is open from April 1 through Oct. 31.
• The Davis Creek campgrounds is available for youth and church groups by reservation.

Fishing
• Smallmouth bass, crappie, channel catfish, northern pike and walleye.
• Boat ramps  for canoes or motors of 10 horsepower or less are located off Warner Bridge Road at the Chippewa Campgrounds and at Area 9 off Rt.  113 northwest of Warner Bridge Road.

Hunting
• Only bow hunting is allowed for deer. A special physically challenged archery deer hunt is held in November.
• Firearm hunting is permitted for coyote, dove, fox, pheasant, rabbit, raccoon, squirrel, waterfowl and  woodcock.

Trails
• 10 miles of horseback trails are located on the south side of the river along Rt. 113. The trailhead is located at the Equestrian Campgrounds just south of Warner Bridge Road. The equestrian trail is open from April 1 to October.
• During the winter months the equestrian trail is used for snowmobiling when there is 4 inches or more of snow cover.

Other
• The State Park Stable on Deselm Road is open year-round. For information call (815) 802-2050.