Kankakee Sands Illinois - Pembroke Savanna
Hopkins Park, IL 60958
About the Business
Welcome to Kankakee Sands Illinois - Pembroke Savanna, a captivating park and tourist attraction located in Hopkins Park, Illinois. Immerse yourself in the serene beauty of one of the world's finest examples of rare black oak savannas. Nestled within the culturally rich community of Pembroke Township, this preserve offers a unique glimpse into the past, remaining virtually unchanged from 200 to 300 years ago.
Explore the unspoiled sand dunes, prairie grasses, and wildflowers that stretch as far as the eye can see, creating a peaceful sanctuary on the ancestral lands of the Potawatomi and other tribal nations. Discover the geological wonder of the sandy soil, formed by the dramatic Kankakee Torrent during the last ice age, which left behind the distinctive landscape of sand dunes and savannas.
Kankakee Sands Illinois is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, offering a chance to witness rare and threatened species such as red-headed woodpeckers, ornate box turtles, and regal fritillary butterflies. Bird lovers can delight in spotting some of North America's fastest-declining bird species, including Henslow’s sparrows and bobolinks. The preserve also supports a variety of mammals, from foxes and coyotes to badgers and minks.
With 1,800 acres of diverse habitats, Kankakee Sands Illinois is free and open to the public year-round. Visitors are encouraged to explore its four savanna and prairie sites, each with walking trails ranging from 1 to 1.5 miles. Start your journey at Pembroke Savanna, renowned for its stunning black oak savannas, and continue to the other sites within a short drive.
Please respect the preserve's guidelines by staying on marked trails to protect this precious habitat. While visiting, take time to explore the surrounding communities of Hopkins Park, St. Anne, Momence, and Kankakee, which offer additional outdoor adventures, rich historical museums, and vibrant festivals like the annual Blueberry Festival.
For those seeking more adventure, the nearby Kankakee Sands-Indiana preserve offers a chance to see bison grazing on an 8,000-acre restored prairie. Whether you're a nature lover, history buff, or outdoor enthusiast, Kankakee Sands Illinois promises an unforgettable experience in the heart of the Midwest.
Photos
Hours open
Monday:
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday:
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday:
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday:
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday:
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday:
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday:
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Reviews
"Decent enough place, if a little small for my taste."
"An enjoyable hike up and down the dunes with beautiful oaks all around the savanna. Sadly, there were 2 people ahead of us on ATVs who disturbed the peace of the preserve. At least they stayed on the path."
"Great trail to walk and enjoy nature. Don’t forget your tick spray."
"The surroundings are shockingly poor, it's like visiting a township in South Africa. We were unable to bring ourselves to leave the car for fear it would be stolen. Hopkins Park is home to the worst poverty in the entire state of Illinois and has a serious property crime problem. Avoid at all costs."
"Awesome oak savannas and trail system. Beautiful plants"
People Also Viewed
-
Starved Rock State ParkOglesby, IL 61348, United States
-
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum212 N 6th St, Springfield, IL 62701, United States
-
Little Caesars Pizza1525 Georgetown Rd, Tilton, IL 61832, United States
-
Reynitas Taqueria4046 S Main St, Hopkins Park, IL 60944, United States
-
Subway809 N Dixie Hwy, Momence, IL 60954, United States
-
Flanagan’s Pub101 S Main St, Grant Park, IL 60940, United States
-
Casey's12545 IL-1 #17, Grant Park, IL 60940, United States
-
CREPE AVE700 E Tri-State, I-294, Thornton, IL 60476, United States
-
Dollar General200 N Dixie Hwy, Momence, IL 60954, United States
-
Love's Travel Stop8316 IL-1, Grant Park, IL 60940, United States
-
McDonald's502 N Main St, Georgetown, IL 61846, United States
-
Subway105 N Main St, Georgetown, IL 61846, United States
-
Subway202 S State St, Westville, IL 61883, United States
-
Family Dollar117 N Main St, Georgetown, IL 61846, United States
-
Dollar Fanatic LLC305 S State St, Ridge Farm, IL 61870, United States
-
Dollar General801 N State St, Ridge Farm, IL 61870, United States
-
Dollar General902 N Main St, Georgetown, IL 61846, United States
-
CVS102 S State St, Westville, IL 61883, United States
-
Dollar General519 N State St, Westville, IL 61883, United States
-
Walmart Supercenter21000 Western Ave, Olympia Fields, IL 60461, United States
-
Walmart Supercenter22401 Central Ave, Richton Park, IL 60471, United States
People also searched for
- Travel Agency
- American Prairies
- Badgers
- Birdwatching
- Bison Grazing
- Black Oak Forests
- Black Oak Savannas
- Black Savannas
- Blueberry Festivals
- Bobolinks
- Coyotes
- Ecotourism
- Festival Events
- Foxes
- Geological Wonders
- Henslow's Sparrows
- Historical Museums
- Hopskins Park
- Hopskins Park Illinois
- Ice Age Landforms
- Illinois Parks
- Illinois Tourism
- Kankakee Sands-Indiana
- Kankakee Torrent
- Mammals
- Midwest Conservation
- Midwest Nature
- Midwest Wildlife
- Minks
- Nature Reserves
- Nature Tourism
- North America Species
- Ornate Box Turtles
- Outdoor Adventures
- Pembroke Savanna
- Pembroke Township
- Potawatomi Nations
- Prairie Grasses
- Prairie Restorations
- Red-Headed Woodpeckers
- Regal Fritillary Butterflies
- Sand Dunes
- Wildflowers
- Wildlife Habitats
- Wildlife Sanctuaries
List of local businesses, places and services in Illinois
⭐ business help 🔍 services ☎ phones 🕒 opening times ✍️reviews 🌍 addresses, locations 📷 photos