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Kankakee River State Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 2,184 Google reviews · Running trail in Bourbonnais, Illinois · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Distance
- 3 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Kankakee River State 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.
4,000 acres along 11 miles of river for year-round outdoor sporting & recreation plus horse stables.
What runners say about Kankakee River State Park
“Potowatomi Camp: What a beautiful, quiet campground, neat, well kept, with a good size shower house, and wooded areas separating the sites.”
“Potowatomi Camp: What a beautiful, quiet campground, neat, well kept, with a good size shower house, and wooded areas separating the sites.”
“Potowatomi Camp: What a beautiful, quiet campground, neat, well kept, with a good size shower house, and wooded areas separating the sites.”
Great park, really long, 10 mile mostly paved bike path that I loved! Many cool places to sit, hang out at the river or grass. Nice caming sites, very friendly and helpful hosts at the camp sites. Pretty well-maintained bathrooms with showers, warm water. No mosquitoes! No complains :) ...
My photos don't do it justice. The fully grown trees here are amazing especially in the fall. And the river just makes it all that much more special. There are trails here. A campground and horseback riding across the street.
Beautiful area abundant wildlife. Many rock formations and little caves dispersed throughout. The river has a good current and some white water in a few areas, but just as many shallow shelly areas to walk in. Large harmless snakes and pretty wildflowers.
This is one of Illinois better state parks. This place has so much to offer for recreation, and for beautiful sightseeing and nature viewing. I think the suspension bridge, along with the area underneath the bridge, is my favorite area of the park. They offer tons of great campsites as well. Lots of beautiful paths.
Trail conditions & character
“There are some small gorges with rock formations, great campsites, bald eagles to view times of the year, and all kinds of great recreational activities.”
“Potowatomi Camp: What a beautiful, quiet campground, neat, well kept, with a good size shower house, and wooded areas separating the sites.”
“I did NOT use the bathrooms, so I can't give info about them, other than there are NO showers.”
“Great park, really long, 10 mile mostly paved bike path that I loved!”
Plan your run at Kankakee River State Park
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- Distance3 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadrestrooms — reported by runners
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitednr.illinois.gov
- Phone(815) 933-1383
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Running trails near Bourbonnais
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Rock Creek Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 50 reviews
Scenic outdoors spot featuring trails along a waterfall-filled river and creek.
Kankakee River Trail South
4.7 ★★★★★ 49 reviews
Park offering a paved, riverside trail with picnic areas and playgrounds.
Riverfront Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 164 reviews
Park offering a 9-basket disc golf course plus riverfront views, benches and picnic tables.