Kennekuk County Park

VCCDistrict’s Largest County Park at 3000 Acres

Dedicated in 1976

Located along Henning Road
north-west of Danville, Illinois



What makes Kennekuk County Park Significant?

  • Collins Archaeological Complex, listed on the National Register of Historic Sites, also a State Historic Site
  • Part of the eastern boundary of the Middle Fork National Scenic River, Illinois only National Scenic River
  • 200 different species of birds documented
  • 400 different species of wildflowers documented, including several rare prairie plants
  • Lookout Point, one of the highest points overlooking the Middle Fork National Scenic River

Special Features

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Middle Fork River along Kennekuk Park

  • Contains two dedicated Illinois Nature Preserves
  • Kennekuk Marshes, an 80-acre marsh complex for waterfowl nesting habitat
  • Bunker Hill Historic Area, a collection of historical buildings which would be found in a small town in the early to mid 20th century
  • Lake Mingo, a 170-acre lake and the last lake built in the Midwest with a dam consisting of gates controlling water levels
  • Carl E. Pettice Canoe Access, only concrete canoe access built on a National Scenic River in the United States
  • Kennekuk Visitor Center with natural habitat displays
  • Herb Garden at Bunker Hill Area
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Herb Garden at Bunker Hill Historic Area

  • Kennekuk Environmental Education Center
  • Lake Mingo Trail, a 7.2 mile hiking trail around Lake Mingo
  • Cheeseburgers and Fun Event, largest single day event in Vermilion County.  See Events for more information
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Shiitake Mushrooms

  • Shiitake Mushroom Research, first of three sites that gained national attention
  • River Otter releases, two separate releases at Lake Mingo that constitute the largest total river otter release site in Illinois
  • Holiday Lights, annual drive through Holiday lighting display

 

VCCFoundation Projects
at Kennekuk County Park

  • The Kennekuk Environmental Education Center
(above): Scenes of the construction of Phase One of the Environmental Education Center
  • Rennovation of the 1943 Laury Barn with purchase of new timbers
  • Well drilling at the Laury Barn
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Laury Barn at Kennekuk County Park