A Weekend Bike packing trip from Chicago to Kankakee State Park
Ride Specifics
Mileage: Day 1: 80 mile ride | Day 2: 40ish miles, 10 miles-ish for optional local exploration before 30 miles to the Metra in Joliet
Support: Self supported - you carry all of your own camping gear on your own bike. No vehicle support.
Lodging: Lodging: Tent (camping gear not provided). We will stay at Kankakee River State Park
Pace: 12-15mph
Trail/Route: Paved road with some gravel incorporated
Age: Adult Ride (21+)
Trip Description
Join us as we roll to the Kankakee River and visit their state park. This ride explores a bunch of different trails from the Major Taylor to the Cag Sag, Centennial to I&M, Wauponsee Glacial trail to Kankakee River Trail. Learn about the history and ecology of the Kankakee area while cruising along this beautiful and rustic web of trails and small towns of Will and Kankakee counties.
Day two will be a bit more chill with some free time to explore the state park or the town of Kankakee which has a ton to offer including the second Dairy Queen in the nation, a dog stick library, and even caves! After some morning exploring, we will hit the road in the early afternoon to ride the 30ish miles back to Joliet to catch the Rock Island Metra back to Chicago.
Some of the trails and roads that this ride covers are fine to medium gravel so it's a good idea to make sure your tires are in good condition. Thin tires will work though will be a little more challenging.
What's Included
-Campground fees and firewood
-Food for Day 1 dinner and Day 2 breakfast.
-Education about our local history and nature
-Really nice and supportive guides
What's Not Included
-Food for Day 1 lunch
-Food for Day 2 lunch
-Snacks
-*We will stop at designated restaurants where you can buy your lunch
-Metra ticket for Day 2 return
About the Guides
Our guides are part of a community of volunteers that believe in adventure and helping others find adventure right out our front door. They exude a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive spirit which are foundational values at OOFD. They have love and appreciation for their home and like sharing knowledge about that home with others, thus helping the riders to develop a stronger sense of gratitude for our local history and nature.
The guides will be set with the route and an extensive script about the area you’ll be riding through with intentionally chosen breakpoints along the way.
They are more than someone to follow on the ride. They are trained and will be there to encourage and support you as well as support with mechanicals that may arise.
Also check out other Trips & Adventurous Activities in Evergreen Park.
