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Helgeson Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 65 Google reviews · Running trail in Kankakee, Illinois · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Helgeson Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
What runners say about Helgeson Park
“Beautiful view of the river, clean park with walking trails.”
“I wasn't at the park I was at the Indian caves and I love it it's beautiful waterfalls it's cool”
“Peaceful, beautiful place to enjoy sunset 🌅”
This is a really good park to take very long walks 🚶♂️ on the park trail! I really love taking long walks 🚶♂️ on the park trails 👣!it's really good exercise for me!
I go here for my cardio, up and down that hill 5/7times will wear you out. You get used to it then do some more.
We went rolling down hills and swinging and rock climbing and had a great time there
Really enjoyed the walking path along the river that connects several parks.
Trail conditions & character
“I wasn't at the park I was at the Indian caves and I love it it's beautiful waterfalls it's cool”
“We went rolling down hills and swinging and rock climbing and had a great time there”
“Peaceful, beautiful place to enjoy sunset 🌅”
Plan your run at Helgeson Park
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
Running trails near Kankakee
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Perry Farm Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,417 reviews
Vast park with fields, trails & riverside caves, plus a children's museum & a historic farmhouse.
Indian Caves
4.8 ★★★★★ 361 reviews
Cave, waterfall and river haven with walking and biking trails and a playground.
Bourbonnais Township Park District
4.2 ★★★★☆ 10 reviews