Kankakee River State Park

One of the best places to go camping near Chicago is Kankakee River State Park. With 11 miles of river shoreline, this park is especially popular for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. Prefer to stay on land? You can also hike, bike, or ride horses on the 4,000 wooded acres. All 200-plus campsites provide access to showers and electricity. Stretching along 11 miles of the Kankakee River, this namesake state park just an hour south of Chicago boasts a wealth of socially distancing-friendly nature adventures both on the water and within its 4,000 wooded acres.

After a day of canoeing, kayaking, and fishing or hiking, biking, and horseback riding, the park's 200-plus campsites offer a quiet and relaxing retreat with shower and electricity hook-ups alongside more primitive experiences. The Chippewa campground is currently closed due to renovations and repairs, but the Potawatomi campground is open for reservations from May through October. One of the best ways to see the state park is by horseback. Make a reservation at the Kankakee River State Park riding stables for guided trail rides through the gorgeous scenery atop a trusty steed. Kankakee County is also rife with small farms, making it one of the best regions in the state for picking your own produce. Follow the whole thing up with a few locally-brewed beers at Brickstone Brewery.

Location: 5314 IL-102, Bourbonnais, IL 60914, United States

Google Rating: 4.7/5