Off-Leash Overnighter: I&M Canal

Off-Leash Overnighter: I&M Canal is a bite-sized, minimally supported bike camping adventure in the southwest Chicago area. It gives you and your family a chance to sneak away by bike for a beautiful night of camping under the stars at Will County Forest Preserve District’s McKinley Woods on the Des Plaines River near Channahon, Illinois and return Sunday morning before your busy life even knows you were gone.

Where, When, How Far:

Off-Leash Overnighter: I&M Canal begins with an optional campout Friday night, September 13, at Hickory Creek Preserve near Frankfort, Illinois (get location). Join us by bike, or there’s plenty of parking to leave your car there for the weekend. Dinner and breakfast this first night is up to you; visit one of the nearby restaurants, or bring your own food for campfire cooking.

The ride leaves Saturday morning for a liesurely, minimally supported 25-mile roll almost entirely on the Old Plank Road Trail and I&M Canal Trail for a night of camping at McKinley Woods Forest Preserve on the Des Plaines River, just south of Channahon, Illinois. You’ll have a ton of time to explore, dilly-dally, eat and drink along the way. In the evening, we’ll provide dinner.

We’ll provide breakfast Sunday morning before rolling 25 miles back to Hickory Creek Preserve, having slipped some adventure into our back pocket to get us through the week a little more relaxed, and looking forward to the next Off-Leash Overnighter. Kids welcome!

Fee: $75 until 4/1, then $85