Kankakee River
🏔 Scenic River
Kankakee Co. · 90 mi · Class I–II
9,860CFS/ 3.28 ft
Flood
→Stable· -110 cfs in 3h
Water temp: 54°F — Hypothermia risk, wear a drysuit
Optimal: 500–3000 CFS · USGS #05527500
⚡Flow data is live from USGS·Rapid classifications and CFS ranges need community verification·Know this river?
90 mi
Length
Class I–II
Difficulty
500–3000 cfs
Optimal
2,200 cfs
Avg Flow
1,980 cfs
Hist. Median
#05527500
USGS Gauge
Kankakee River State Park · Illinois Scenic River

The best paddling river near Chicago. The Kankakee flows through Kankakee River State Park where sandstone canyons, waterfalls, and Class I–II rapids create a surprisingly scenic experience just 60 miles south of the city. Once called the Everglades of the North before 19th-century draining destroyed the vast marshes.

Trip sections
Momence to Aroma Park — Class I, prairie river
Kankakee River SP — Class I–II, canyon section, best stretch
State park to Wilmington — Class I, wider river
Outfitters
Reed's Canoe Trips
Kankakee River State Park area, Kankakee IL
Chicagoland Canoe Base
Kankakee trip planning and gear
72-Hour Flow Forecast
NOAA NWPS
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10-Year Flow Patterns
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Your Optimal Range
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Data Quality

River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and trip sections may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level. If you spot an error, use the Improve This River button at the top of the page — your local knowledge is what makes this atlas accurate.