Kankakee River National Water Trail
Before you decide where to launch, please see information on the safety page. And don’t forget to wear your lifejacket!
The Kankakee River National Water Trail provides 133 miles of paddling on a historic, undammed river flowing through several county parks. Formerly known as the Everglades of the North—before the river was dredged and straightened in the early 1900s—the Kankakee was once a vital link between French Canada and the Mississippi River. The Indiana section of the river offers easy paddling and fishing in a rural setting. This guide lists only Indiana access points.
Safety on the Kankakee
Be aware that there are few support services and facilities, such as washrooms, fresh water, and designated portages along the route.
Do not attempt to paddle the river near flood stages.
Know your location as accurately as possible, and always carry a cell phone.
The river flows through many hunting preserves. Contact any preserves along your proposed route for information about hunting seasons.
Tree falls and logjams can clog bridges with few portage opportunities. Call the Kankakee River Basin Commission for a status report on known logjams.
Kankakee River Basin Commission
6100 Southport Rd., Portage
219-763-0696
kankakeeriverbasin.org
Skill Level: Intermediate
Type: Canoe or kayak
Conditions: Deep and wide
Length: 75 miles in Indiana
Need to Portage: Rarely with average conditions
Access Points:
Leo Jasinski Public Access (Start)
GPS Coordinates: 41.606116, -86.414264
60995 Crumstown Hwy., North Liberty
574-277-4828
sjcparks.org
Distance to Next Access Point: 12.3 mi
Kingsbury State Fish and Wildlife Area Access
GPS Coordinates: 41.490257, -86.581599
S 600 E, Walkerton
in.gov/dnr/fishwild
Total Distance from Start: 12.3 mi
Distance to Next Access Point: 15.5 mi
Kankakee Fish and Wildlife Area - Route 8 Access
Amenities: Hunting
GPS Coordinates : 41.317480, -86.745912
4320 W. Toto Rd., North Judson
574-896-3522
in.gov/dnr/fishwild
Total Distance from Start: 27.8 mi
Distance to Next Access Point: 5.4 mi
Kankakee Fish and Wildlife Area - English Lake/Yellow River Access
Amenities: Hunting
GPS Coordinates : 41.271183, -86.825596
4320 W. Toto Rd., North Judson
574-896-3522
in.gov/dnr/fishwild
Total Distance from Start: 33.2 mi
Distance to Next Access Point: 8.6 mi
Amenities: Pet-Friendly, PicnickingGPS Coordinates: 41.220115, -86.968861
500 E. and the Kankakee River, Kouts
219-465-3586
portercountyparks.org
Total Distance from Start: 41.8 mi
Distance to Next Access Point: 18.8 mi
Grand Kankakee Marsh County Park
Amenities: Hunting, Picnicking, Restrooms/Portable
GPS Coordinates: 41.219614, -87.273945
21690 Range Line Rd., Hebron
219-769-7275
lakecountyparks.com
Total Distance from Start: 60.6 mi
Distance to Next Access Point: 4.4 mi
Shelby Boat Ramp
GPS Coordinates: 41.183212, -87.340455
Route 55 and Kankakee River, Shelby
Total Distance from Start: 65.0 mi
Distance to Next Access Point: 6.9 mi
LaSalle Fish & Wildlife Area - White Oak Bayou Access
Amenities: Hunting
GPS Coordinates: 41.170205, -87.458168
4752 W. 1050 North, Lake Village
219-992-3019
in.gov/dnr/fishwild
Total Distance from Start: 71.9 mi
Distance to Next Access Point: 2 mi
LaSalle Fish & Wildlife Area - Black Oak Bayou Access
Amenities: Hunting
GPS Coordinates : 41.168360, -87.496839
4752 W. 1050 North, Lake Village
219-992-3019
in.gov/dnr/fishwild
Total Distance from Start: 73.9 mi
Distance to Next Access Point: 1.6 mi
LaSalle Fish & Wildlife Area - State Line Access
Amenities: Hunting
GPS Coordinates: 41.167001, -87.526272
4752 W. 1050 North, Lake Village
219-992-3019
in.gov/dnr/fishwild
Total Distance from Start: 75.5 mi