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Established Camping

Channahon State Park Campground

1 Review

Channahon State Park Campground is near Channahon, Illinois, featuring flat terrain with a mix of wooded areas and open spaces. Temperatures range from lows in the 20s Fahrenheit during winter to highs in the 80s during summer. Nearby attractions include the Illinois and Michigan Canal, which offers opportunities for hiking and biking, and the Des Plaines River for fishing and kayaking.

Description

Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Channahon State Park

Channahon State Park is the official trailhead for the Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail. Channahon is an Indian word meaning "the meeting of the waters" and signifies the joining of the DuPage, Des Plaines and Kankakee rivers.

Today, Channahon State Park is under the management of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and provides park visitors a look back at a historic waterway that transformed a state. Locks 6 & 7 and the original locktenders house at Lock 6 located at the Channahon State Park enable visitors to daydream of a time when one of the loudest noises heard came from a blacksmith pounding out a new set of horse shoes.

Only primitive tent camping is available and gear must be walked to the campsite. Fire rings, picnic tables, and grills are located in the camping area. A drinking fountain and pit toilets are located within a short distance from the camping area. A camping permit must be obtained from the information center.

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Location

Channahon State Park Campground is located in Illinois

Directions

From I-55: take the Rte. #6 Channahon exit. Turn west on Rte. #6 and continue into Channahon to Canal St. Take a left on Canal and proceed to Story St. Turn right on Story into the park. If the parking area is full, continue on Canal St. one more block to the Jessup St. parking area.

Coordinates

41.42402795 N
88.22788775 W

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Access

Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Hike-In
Backcountry sites.

Stay Connected

WiFi
Available
Verizon
Unknown
AT&T
Unknown
T-Mobile
Unknown

Site Types

Tent Sites

Features

For Campers

Trash
Picnic Table
Phone Service
Drinking Water
Toilets
Pets
Fires

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

37 min from Chicago
40 min from Kankakee
1 hr 15 min from Michigan City
1 hr 29 min from Rockford

Art S.

Legend

Reviewed Jun. 1, 2021

Perfect for cyclists along the canal trail

This campground is right in town. It is a bit away from businesses. However if you arrive by car you drive through the quaint town.

Arriving by bicycle is even better. The Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail passes right by camp. You can stop for a rest or stay the night. It's a nice stopping distance if you are riding from Chicago to Starved Rock. The trail is crushed gravel and is a beautiful ride.

This campground is surrounded by trees. When we showed up, a classic car gathering was going on. They even set a campfire to use throughout the morning. There are vault toilets and a picnic area too. It should also be noted that you need to walk in to the campsites (parking is really close by).

The maintenance buildings are right next to campsites. Today they were mowing so workers were moving in camp but also out along the trail and park.

This is a nice, shady place to stop along the I & M Canal Trail.

Month of VisitMay

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the elevation of Channahon State Park Campground?

Channahon State Park Campground is located at 522 feet.

Are fires allowed at Channahon State Park Campground?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Channahon State Park Campground, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

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