More Than a Path: How Riverfront Trailways Reconnected Kankakee

Stephanie Vanderweide
Feb 9
2 min read

When I first moved to Kankakee, one of my favorite discoveries was how connected the area was to Chicago and the United States. For nearly a century, the Kankakee River was the engine of our industry—admired from a distance, but often walled off by factories and private property. That changed in 1999 with a bold idea: what if the river could be the region's "front porch" instead of its backyard?

This is the story of the Riverfront Trailways of Kankakee County, the visionary initiative that turned a fragmented landscape into a Burnham Plan "Green Legacy" project. Spearheaded by the Community Foundation of Kankakee River Valley, this program didn't just pave a path; it reclaimed the riverbank for the public, creating the seamless 10.5-mile corridor we enjoy today.

The Challenge: Kankakee to Chicago

Thanks to the regional network, it is entirely possible to ride from the banks of the Kankakee River to the shores of Lake Michigan. The journey is approximately 65-70 miles and utilizes a series of interconnected rail-trails and canal paths. Here is the turn-by-turn breakdown for 2026. If you're looking for an ULTIMATE CHALLENGE, there is a trail that connects Kankakee to the East and West Coast of the United States on the Great Discovery Trail.

Critical Advisory: The Gap: There is currently no off-road connection between the Kankakee River State Park and the Wauponsee Glacial Trail. Cyclists must feel comfortable riding 5-8 miles on paved roads (Route 102/Warner Bridge Rd) with moderate traffic to bridge this gap.

Leg 1: Kankakee River State Park → Custer Park
- Distance: ~8 miles (On-Road)
- Start at the western edge of the State Park trail. Navigate north via Route 102 and Warner Bridge Road to cross the river. Your target is the southern trailhead of the Wauponsee Glacial Trail in Custer Park.
Leg 2: Wauponsee Glacial Trail
- Distance: 22.4 miles
- This rail-trail is the backbone of the journey. The southern section (Custer Park to Laraway Rd) is crushed limestone, suitable for gravel or hybrid bikes. The final northern stretch into Joliet is paved asphalt.
Leg 3: The Canal Corridor (Joliet → Willow Springs)
- Distance: ~20 miles
- At the Joliet terminus, connect to the I&M Canal State Trail or the Centennial Trail. These paths run parallel to the Des Plaines River and Sanitary and Ship Canal, offering a flat, traffic-free corridor through the industrial suburbs.
Leg 4: Chicago Lakefront
- Distance: ~15 miles
- From the canal terminus near Willow Springs/Summit, utilize the "Chicago Portage" connection to reach the Salt Creek Trail or street connectors that lead to the Lakefront Trail, finishing at Navy Pier or Grant Park.