Sunday Drive: Kankakee River State Park

Despite all the persistent government chatter about our ongoing economic recovery, I continue to see people close to me struggling financially. Having had my own super-sized taste of that struggle, I acquired a sincere appreciation for affordable entertainment, for me as well as for my family.

Are you old enough to remember the classic Sunday drive? I am. When I was growing up (my own kids usually roll their eyes whenever they hear me utter that phrase), Sundays always meant three things. First, we always went to church. Second, we always ate a large meal, called dinner, in the early afternoon. And finally, without exception, we always followed up dinner with a ritual called “doing something.”

“Doing something” often meant visiting any of several nearby relatives. But as often as not, my dad would call us to action with, “Come on, everybody, let’s go for a ride!” Sometimes we headed out with a known destination, other times not.

I’m sure my mother and father each had their favorite Sunday drives. Some 40 or so years later, I have developed a few of my own. Let me share one with you.

First, find your way to Wilmington. I know of two simple ways to accomplish this when starting out from the Plainfield area. One is to hop onto Interstate 55 heading south and get off at the Wilmington exit. The other is to drive south on Illinois 53 until you reach Wilmington, simultaneously retracing part of the old Route 66 in the process (but that drive is for a different Sunday).

From Wilmington, head east on Illinois 102 (there called Water Street), which roughly follows the Kankakee River on the north bank. Once you leave Wilmington behind, followed shortly by the small community of Ritchie, you will be treated to a curving ribbon of two-lane blacktop that weaves its way through a wooded area and borders Kankakee River State Park to the south.

The park itself straddles the river on both sides, though the main park entrance is off Highway 102, east of Warner Bridge Road. Take a right into the main entrance and then right again, toward the concession and picnic area.

You will find a small parking lot between the park’s concession stand and restrooms. From there you can enjoy a relatively short walk along the Kankakee River, stopping at the scenic outlook points to watch the river flow, listen to the trees and smell the smells of the season—all at no charge.

When you exit the park, it’s time to cross the river and pick up Illinois 113 for the return trip. You can do this either by backtracking slightly west on 102 to Warner Bridge Road or by continuing east on 102 to U.S. 45/52. Either way, you cross south over the river and then head west on Illinois 113, another two-lane ribbon that follows the Kankakee River on the south bank.

Along the way, you will see a number of state park signs, most of which mark small parking areas for hunters and anglers. Enjoy the curvy drive back through the canopy of trees—again, no charge.

When 113 returns to 53, turn right and head north, back toward Joliet. You are once again following a portion of old Route 66. If you are hungry or thirsty and not in a particular hurry to get home, stop at either the Polk-A-Dot Drive In in Braidwood or the Launching Pad Drive-In back in Wilmington. Both feature fast food, ice cream and classic Route 66 atmosphere.

I never seem to grow tired of this particular Sunday drive, which I have made in various seasons, alone and with my family, by car as well as by motorcycle. If you are looking for affordable family fun, try this simple river run. It’s a classic Sunday drive.