Find the top rated hike trails in Kankakee, whether you're looking for an easy short hike trail or a long hike trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a hike trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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Aug 2025
Aug 205
I typically ride prairie path area, but like to get out and find something different from time to time.
Did minimal research before heading down to ride here.
The north end of the trail is on a pretty industrial road beneath an underpass for I-80 and just north of a train crossing.
You can find a place to park within short distance of the trail, but next time I will park at one of the following:
#1
Sugar Creek forest preserve
17540 W Laraway Rd
Joliet, IL 60433
https://maps.app.goo.gl/2GMxcK6ZHjynGe8M9
#2
Near one of the businesses with big empty parking lots on the weekend where the trail crosses Mills Road.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/1Grwn9j5QNm4wT6Y7
Heading south the first few miles is paved blacktop that does not appear to be that old, but has numerous bumpy patches from tree roots. After a few miles it becomes the self healing compacted gravel and is a nicer ride.
I did 16 one way, 32 miles round trip with the south end being Symerton, IL
I think 5 more miles gets you to the river.
There are a couple public rest areas with pit toilets, and a couple fountains also with taps to refill your bottle.
Did not see much in terms of food. There may have been if you ventured off a bit.
The only place inviting bikers were these folks.
Symerton Tap and Grill
https://maps.app.goo.gl/bLMprvEBzoduYS6V9
I don't like a big meal while riding, and just had my own snacks.
Nice ride, its little effort for me to get here, but can see doing this again once each year.
Rode just about 8 miles on the Palos Hills end. Beautiful paved trail, beautiful weather on 8/24/25. Definitely would ride again.
After riding 7,000 or so miles since 2019; all over the country (but primarily N IL, Iowa, WI); today is the day I got to enjoy a paved trail in Cook County. We parked in the west and rode to East end in Alsip and back. Roughly 25 miles round trip. Hot humid and windy 92F. I felt like shade was about 50% of trail length. It is a Great trail as in you do not even know you are in one of the busiest counties in the nation. I wish we could figure out how to connect from Alsip to the lakefront. We tried to bike about a mile further east on the road but then it started to seem like an industrial park so we turned around.
Reportedly, a guy got arrested and thrown in jail in July 2025 for riding an e-bike on the Joliet Junction trail. Like, what do these people have against e-bikes? Especially when they are riding responsibly and using common sense, not colliding with anything or anyone else. Totally can not recommend at all. And the cops will stop you, too. They don't care if you're doing 5 mph, if your bike even looks like an e-bike, they'll still stop you.
Despite the hot July day we had a terrific ride on this beautiful trail along the river. Rode the entire trail from the east end parking lot. Loved that most of trail was paved - despite some “heaving” due to tree roots and unexpected “dips”. Several bridges to cross and a special “lookout” over the river. The majority of trail is in the shade due to the many trees and beautiful canopy. Rode by an amazing oak savanna- making this a great trail. Can highly recommend this bike trail!!
I’ve been walking and cycling this trail for most of my life and it’s always a wonderful experience, such beautiful scenery along the river. It’s by far my favorite trail in the Chicagoland area.
I do this trail at least 3 times a week, it’s a beautiful trail. You can get lost if you don’t know it. Stick to the trail close to drive. I know it all too well so I don’t get lost. But the scenery coming around the corner of Fullerton is just spectacular, the view north from the museum campus is amazing. I love this trail and it’s my comfort zone.
Trail is closed at Rt. 30 heading North from Erie Lackwana trailhead.
I rode on this trail for the first time yesterday. It is well maintained, pretty shady, and has well placed maps. I will definately go again. I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because there aren't any water sources at either end or along the trail. There are toilets (vault and a porta potty) at the ends, so that's a plus. At the Willow Springs end, about 2 blocks from the trail end, there's a Speedway gas station with snacks and beverages. You can see it from the trail. So if you go, make sure to bring plenty of water!
I was traveling through to Ohio and wanted to ride this trail. Due to traffic on a Saturday with a concert at Soldier Field, I arrived a couple later than I had hoped. So I had to push the speed to do the whole trail. I got done as it was getting dark. I would encourage others to allow more time to enjoy it. Not knowing this in advance, I parked near trail construction and where the following day's event parking was being set up, so it was congested. I found the main trail (lots of sidewalks/paths going everywhere) and headed north. A few miles north and I was at the end. Going south, I got goofed up by the detour signs and other trails. A "north" or "south" sign on the detour signs might have helped. Maybe just me. I finally got on the trail and went north. The write-up says it is 19 miles long and ends at South Shore Cultural Center; however, the mile post ends at 18 (with a zero on the other side of the post) was at 71st street. That was where the red line on TrailLink also ended. Both close to each other, but I wasn't sure why the difference in mileage. I didn't have time to explore more. I turned around there.
Even though I don't like city driving and it all looked hectic to me (thankful for GPS voice commands), I wouldn't mind doing it again in the summer when more venues would be open and take all day to ride it by going a slower pace and seeing the sights. And maybe with someone else who will do the driving!
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