According to the calendar, it is officially Spring! And when you live in the Midwest, that can mean one of three things. It’s either officially spring with warming springtime temperatures and budding trees, freezing with piles of snow or all four seasons occurring within the same week (sometimes all in one day!). Regardless of the actual weather outside, the word spring brings so much hope and promise. Thinking about birds chirping, flowers blooming and bees buzzing makes us excited about the awesome springtime adventures throughout Kankakee County!
The perfect way to enjoy Spring is to get outdoors! Kankakee County is home to so many outdoor recreational activities to keep you moving and enjoying some time in the sun. One of the best venues for outdoor recreation is the Kankakee River State Park. The park stretches for 11 miles on both sides of the Kankakee River and gives visitors views of prairie, forest and large limestone bluffs overlooking the river. Take in all the sights while biking or hiking on the many trail systems throughout the park. Or, grab your pole and get a jump start on your fishing season. If you’re feeling really adventurous, book a fly-fishing charter with one of our outfitters. They’ll take you out on the river and show you some of the best places to cast your line. The State Park is the perfect place to spend a whole day with the family. It offers great adventurous opportunities and has multiple playgrounds and covered pavilions to keep kiddos occupied while you lay out everything for your picnic.
Another excellent place for outdoor activities is Perry Farm Park. Perry Farm Park is home to beautiful paved pathways surrounded by both forest areas and prairie. The paths are perfect for walking, biking and even roller skating. Towards the back of this 170-acre park, you can explore the Indian caves, complete with waterfalls, and admire the flowing river in the background. Towards the front of the park are picnic areas, playground equipment, a fruit tree orchard and even farm animals that the littles can feed and pet. And if the unpredictable spring weather decides to dump some rain on your fun, you can head over to the Exploration Station…a children’s museum located within the park. The Exploration Station…a children’s museum is a wonderful place for the kids to stretch their imagination while learning about history, science and art.
Some of you may be itching to get in or on the water, and though it may be a little chilly to do so, it’s the perfect time to start planning! If you’re a scuba dive fanatic, or want to learn and get certified, schedule a dive at Haigh Quarry. Haigh Quarry is an old limestone quarry fed by a natural spring. Under the water’s surface, you will find all kinds of fish and wonders to explore including an old dump truck and underwater sculpture garden. Haigh Quarry’s opening date is May 1, 2023, so be sure to book your reservation to explore what lies beneath! If you’d rather keep your head above the water but want some great water activities, renting a kayak or canoe from Reed’s Canoe Trips would be a great option! 
Reed’s offers anywhere from 2- to 6-hour trips where they will provide a drop off near Momence on the river and pick you up in Aroma Park. Stop at the Aroma Park American Legion and Ryan’s Pier along the way. Both offer great drink and food specials and are the perfect way to refuel after a long day on the river. Reed’s Canoe Trips will start booking the first weekend in May, dependent upon weather and river conditions.
The joys of Kankakee County come to life in the springtime, so take advantage of a season full of outdoor adventures. Check out our visitor’s guide here for a complete list of all of Kankakee County’s outdoor wonders!
