Campgrounds and RV parks near Essex, IL

The main outdoor draw is Kankakee River State Park, a roughly 4,000-acre park spanning both banks of an 11-mile stretch of the Kankakee River. Trails follow both sides of the river, with a 3-mile Rock Creek route past limestone canyons and a waterfall, a 10.5-mile bike route beginning at Davis Creek, and a separate 12-mile equestrian trail south of the river. Fishing on the Kankakee turns up smallmouth bass, channel catfish, walleye, and northern pike. Canoe launches are common, and the water runs shallow and rocky through most of the park. Swimming is not allowed due to currents and drop-offs. For a change of pace, Joliet sits about 30 minutes north with the Hollywood Casino complex, Route 66 landmarks, and the Joliet Area Historical Museum. NASCAR fans can time visits to events at Chicagoland Speedway.

The prime RV season runs from mid-April through mid-October. Kankakee River State Park is open year-round, but reservable camping is generally offered April through October, and most private resorts in the area, including Hollywood Casino Hotel and RV Resort, operate roughly April 1 through October 31. Weekends fill quickly in summer, so book well ahead. Spring brings the wettest stretch of the year across northeast Illinois, with May often the single wettest month. River levels can run high and trails muddy. Summer is warm and humid with afternoon thunderstorms; state park sites often fill weeks in advance for holiday weekends. Fall is often the most comfortable season, with cool nights and clear days through October. The park's equestrian trail closes October 31. Winter camping is possible at Potowatomi, but expect cold, snow cover, and limited services. Snowmobile trails open in mid-January after hunting season ends, provided there is at least four inches of snow.

Potowatomi - Kankakee River State Park has 110 wooded Class A sites with electric-only hookups, flush toilets, showers, and a dump station near the entrance. Sites accommodate RVs up to about 35 feet. Alcohol is prohibited throughout the park, campgrounds close to entry at 10 p.m., and quiet hours run from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. with no vehicle traffic. Firewood cannot be brought into the park due to the emerald ash borer quarantine. Private parks near Joliet offer more services but a different feel. Hollywood Casino Hotel and RV Resort provides water and electric sites with a dump station rather than in-site sewer, plus laundry, showers, a complimentary breakfast, and a casino shuttle, though some guests note rail and road noise. Cell coverage is generally good, and fuel, groceries, and propane are easy to find in Kankakee, Bourbonnais, and Joliet.