Kankakee River State Park

Welcome to Kankakee River State Park located on the banks of the Kankakee River near Bourbonnais, Illinois.

Park History: Before the arrival of European settlers, this land was inhabited by Native American tribes for thousands of years. Some of these tribes include the Illini, Miami, Ottawa, Chippewa, Kickapoo, and the Potawatomi tribes. The grave of Potawatomi Chief Shaw-waw-nas-see is still located inside the park's boundaries. In the early 19th century many European fur traders passed through the region and traded with the local tribes. By the mid 19th century many settlers had set up farms along the riverbanks.

In 1847, the Kankakee & Iroquois Navigation Company, later known as the Kankakee Company, was founded in order to provide water transportation from Warner's Landing to the Illinois and Michigan Canal. By the 1880's, the railroads had put this company out of business. The Custer Bowery Amusemnt Park, a popular destination for Chicagoans, was built in the 1890's but shut down in the 1920's. In 1938, Chicago resident Ethel Sturges Dummer donated 35 acres of land to the State of Illinois for a State Park. In 1956, an additional 1,715 acres were donated to the state by Commonwealth Edison and they made additional donations in 1989 to bring the park to it's present size of over 4,000 acres.

For the lover of the outdoors, Kankakee River State Park boasts miles of multipurpose trails on both sides of the river and several campgrounds (110 class A sites with electricity and water). Come on out and have a blast!

To contact the office please call 815-933-1383.