Kankakee Sands

Know Before You Go

• Planning Your Visit

  As shown on the trail maps linked below, TNC’s Kankakee Sands-Illinois is made up of four savanna and prairie sites located in Hopkins Park and St. Anne, Illinois: 

  • Pembroke Savanna Nature Preserve (Google Maps Link)

  • Mskoda Land & Water Preserve (Google Maps Link)

  • Carl N. Becker Savanna Nature Preserve (Google Maps Link)

  • Tallmadge Sand Forest Land & Water Preserve

     

  Each site has a walking trail, ranging from 1 to 1.5 miles in length. View the full map of all four areas here.

  If you have never been to Kankakee Sands-Illinois before, we recommend you start at Pembroke Savanna to see one of the best examples of black oak savannas left in the world. The other three sites, which are home to many plants, birds and small animals, are within a 10- to 20-minute drive of Pembroke Savanna. 

  For a chance to see bison grazing, consider also visiting nearby TNC Kankakee Sands-Indiana preserve, an 8,000-acre restored prairie that is home to a herd of bison and other wildlife. The distance between the Indiana Kankakee Sands preserve and the Illinois Kankakee Sands preserve is about 20 minutes by car. 

• Getting Here

  Finding TNC’s Kankakee Sands-Illinois preserve can be challenging if you are unfamiliar with the Pembroke Township, Illinois area. If you are looking online or on your phone for the preserve, be sure to search specifically for “The Nature Conservancy Kankakee Sands Illinois.”

  There are three different Kankakee Sands Preserves, which can cause confusion. TNC manages two of these preserves: Kankakee Sands-Illinois and Kankakee Sands-Indiana. Also, the Forest Preserve District of Will County, Illinois, has a Kankakee Sands Preserve. 

• Activities

  Walking, birding and nature photography are all welcomed at Kankakee Sands-Illinois. Our staff are available to provide guided tours to schools, clubs and other groups. For more information, contact Mihesha Gibbs (mihesha.gibbs@tnc.org).

  Kankakee Sands-Illinois is designated as an Illinois Nature Preserve by the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission. Only Illinois lands that have rare plants and animals or unique natural features receive this important designation. 

  To protect the diverse and rich prairies and savannas at Kankakee Sands-Illinois—and maintain our nature preserve designation under state law—some activities are not allowed: 

  • All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are not allowed because they destroy the preserve’s fragile prairie and savanna landscapes. The deep ruts and soil compaction caused by these vehicles hinders the growth of critical species and plants.  

  • Biking on or off trails can harm important wildlife habitat. If you want to bike, consider Kankakee River State Park in Bourbonnais, Illinois.  

  • Horseback riding contributes to the spread of invasive plants when horses eat the plants and spread seeds through their manure. Horseback riding is allowed at Kankakee River State Park.
    

  • Hunting. To hunt, consider Iroquois County State Wildlife Area.

• What Else to Know Before You Visit

  Kankakee Sands-Illinois is rustic and natural. The sandy trails are not paved. Currently, there are no bathroom facilities, water fountains, picnic tables or garbage cans at any of the sites. Please bring water and pack out what you bring in to help keep our preserve clean for other visitors. 

  Limited roadside parking is available at each of our four preserve sites. 

  Public washrooms are available at the following locations: 

  • Rodeo Park, 3687 S. Main Street, Pembroke Township, Illinois

  • The Iroquois County State Wildlife Area, 2803 E 3300 North Rd, Pembroke Township, IL 60958

  We recommend that you wear comfortable shoes, apply sunscreen and take precautions against ticks when you visit.