Kendall County is one of the top destinations in the country in terms of riverfront activities and outdoor recreational parks.
Kendall County is situated within the state of Illinois.
Its county seat is Yorkville, but its most populous city is Oswego.
The total population of Kendall County is 131,869, per the 2020 census.
Established in 1841, the county gets its name from Amos Kendall, a US Postmaster General at the time and a close associate of US President Andrew Jackson.
Here are the best things to do in Kendall County, Illinois:
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Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area is a 1,350-acre state park within Kendall County.
Visit Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area at Fox Road, Yorkville.
This state park was founded around the late 1960s.
The park’s namesake comes from the natural springs on the grounds.
Silver Springs is a popular fishing spot for Kendall County locals.
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There is a bait shop near the docks if you manage to use up all your fish bait.
Various types of boats, such as canoes, kayaks, pedal boats, and regular row boats, are available for guests to rent.
A notable feature of this state park is its archery range.
If you get hungry, there is a concession stand inside the park that sells snacks and refreshments.
If you want to spend a day on Look Lake and the Fox River waters, take a trip to Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area.
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Fox Valley Winery is the spot to visit if you are a wine enthusiast visiting Kendall County.
Fox Valley Winery is on Main Street, Oswego.
Locals and tourists come to this winery to indulge in the region’s handcrafted and locally grown wine.
Experience all their wine offerings in their fanciful tasting room.
Pair your wine with some side dishes from their in-house restaurant.
Fox Valley Winery also hosts various events like painting parties and festivals with live music.
Take some time to visit Fox Valley Winery if you want to try handcrafted wine from Kendall County.
Marge Cline Water Course is a whitewater course that utilizes the Fox River for its activities.
Check out Marge Cline Water Course along Hydraulic Ave, Yorkville.
Rent one of their kayaks to row down the rapids of the Fox River.
If you don’t want to get soaked, you can take a relaxing walk along the riverfront by following their paved walking trails.
There are sheltered picnic areas with benches near the riverfront for those looking to eat.
Marge Cline Water Course is also an ideal place to go animal watching.
Guests have spotted ducks, geese, and even hawks within the vicinity.
Check out Marge Cline Water Course for a thrilling boat ride through the rapids and to snap pictures of the wildlife that passes by the area.
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The Edith Farnsworth House is a heritage house in Illinois that showcases modern architectural design.
You can find the Edith Farnsworth House along River Road in Plano, Illinois.
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe built the house between 1945 and 1951.
People recognize van der Rohe as a pioneer of modern architecture.
Take a guided tour of the house and learn more about the extensive history of the Edith Farnsworth House.
Aside from admiring modern architectural techniques and taking pictures of the house, guests can enjoy taking a peaceful stroll around the grounds.
Once you are done with the guided tour, feel free to stop by their gift shop to purchase souvenirs for your loved ones.
Raging Waves Water Park is the best place to enjoy water slides.
You can visit Raging Waves Water Park on Bridge Street, Yorkville.
This water park features various water-related attractions for you to try.
Lounge around under the sun while you float in their lazy river.
Imitate the sensation of surfing at the beach at their wave pool.
Check out their signature Boomerang ride if you are looking for a more exciting ride.
You can stop by the multiple concession stands inside the water park if you need something to eat or drink.
Buy tickets for the family to enjoy Raging Waves Water Park.
Bring a clear, transparent bag for your personal belongings.
Saw Wee Kee Park is an excellent destination if you enjoy biking and animal watching.
Saw Wee Kee Park is along Sundown Lane, Yorkville, Illinois.
This park is famous for its challenging BMX biking trail.
Their biking trail is known for being “rollercoaster-like” due to the many twists and turns that challengers encounter through the course.
Be wary as well of the steep hills that the trail goes through.
Aside from biking, Saw Wee Kee is also an idyllic place to explore on horseback and take pictures of the different kinds of wildlife that call the park home.
Saw Wee Kee Park also gives guests access to the fox river shore.
You can rent boats and canoes if you wish to go on the water.
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Hudson Crossing Park is an outdoor recreational area in Kendall County with several amenities for park guests.
You can find Hudson Crossing Park along Harrison Street, Oswego.
Hudson Crossing Park is frequented for easy access to the Fox River.
Guests are free to go fishing within its waters.
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Other notable facilities inside the park include a picnic area with BBQ grills for a cookout with your family.
Families visiting with kids can entertain them in the playgrounds and the sandbox located inside the park.
Visit Hudson Crossing Park to take in the scenic riverfront views of the Fox River.
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Prairie Point Community Park is a green space in Kendall County, Illinois, with many facilities available for park visitors.
Prairie Point Community park is located along Plainfield Road in Oswego.
This park is famous for its splash pad that kids can use.
The park has several trails that you can either walk or bike through.
There are facilities here for various sports, like baseball, softball, and beach volleyball.
There are also two basketball courts and soccer fields.
Prairie Point Community park sets itself apart from the other parks on this list with the presence of its skate park.
If the weather conditions are ideal, guests may also go sledding and ice skating during the winter.
Another place of note in Prairie Point Community Park is its Volunteer Pantry Garden, which supplies produce to struggling families all over America.
Come to Prairie Point Community Park to take advantage of its wide selection of sporting facilities.
Kendall County Historical Society at Lyon Farm is a historical museum that recounts and documents the history of Kendall County.
Drop by the museum in Yorkville.
Kendall County Historical Society has several buildings with exhibits on the founding of Kendall County and other significant events after that.
This place is known for its exhibits on tractors and other tools for farming, which highlight the importance of farming to the history and economy of Kendall County.
The museum holds seasonal programs for the community for special events like Easter, Christmas, and Halloween.
Learn more about the history of Kendall County by visiting the Kendall County Historical Society at Lyon Farm.
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Little White School Museum is an educational museum in Kendall County that focuses on the local history of Oswego City, Illinois.
The museum is on Polk Street.
Little White School Museum is within an old church and school built in the 1850s.
As a museum, they have various exhibits showcasing artifacts related to the history of Oswego City.
Seasonally, they have special exhibits like their Lego Train exhibit.
Additionally, Little White School Museum hosts various community events and shows.
Drop by the museum during Christmas and Father’s day to join their programs filled with activities, especially for kids.
Drop by Little White School Museum to learn more about the history and to participate in community events.
Prairie Fest Park is a small open green area in Oswego, Illinois, which hosts the annual Prairiefest.
It is located along Plank Drive.
The Prairiefest is one of the region’s biggest festivals.
During Prairiefest, guests can enjoy the various food stalls, live music, several amusement park rides, and carnival games where you can win prizes.
On regular days, the park has a couple of soccer fields and a vast open green space where families can go for picnics and walks.
Set aside time in your itinerary for Prairie Fest Park if you are in the area during the festival.
Bicentennial Riverfront Park is another option for an outdoor park with numerous amenities in Yorkville.
You can check it out by Hydraulic Avenue.
This park is famous for its scenic riverfront views.
If you want to go boating, there are kayaks available for park visitors.
Rafts and Tubes are available for people to rent as well.
If the weather is too hot, you can cool off at the ice cream shop near the park.
Make space in your schedule for Bicentennial Riverfront Park for a lovely day by the riverside with your family.
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Hoover Forest Preserve is a nature sanctuary in Yorkville.
It is adjacent to the Fox River, specifically on Fox Road.
This forest preserve is famous for its scenic walking trails wherein visitors can take in the beautiful views of the Fox River.
This place is also an excellent place to stay overnight due to the abundance of available cabins.
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If you don’t want to rent a house, you can set up a tent at their designated campsites.
Visit the Rookery nature center to learn more about the different types of animals and plants found within the park.
A unique feature of the Hoover Forest Preserve is the Neshnabe’k, a recreation of a Pottawatomi Native American Village.
Head to Hoover Forest Preserve for a delightful camping experience by the riverside.
Yorkville Parks and Recreation Area is a well-maintained recreational area in Yorkville.
You can find the park along Alan Dale Lane.
The park is known for its extensive BMX biking course.
A jogging path also circles the park if you need to get some cardio done.
A baseball field is available for your leisure.
Families with younger kids can take them to the play areas for toddlers.
Picnic huts are available if you need to sit down with your family to have a meal.
Visit Yorkville Park and Recreation Area if you love BMX or are visiting Kendall County with your toddlers.
Blackberry Trail Park is a park in Montgomery, Kendall County, that provides access to the Blackberry Trail.
The park is along Caliendo Circle.
Guests often come here for the pavilion facilities that you can rent.
Near the pavilions are crock pots and grills that you can take advantage of during your next BBQ and cookouts.
Blackberry Trail Park has wide open areas for kids to run around.
If you are interested in skateboarding, you will be delighted to explore the skate park within the park grounds.
A basketball court is available for you and your friends.
Visit Blackberry Trail Park for your next BBQ cookout.
Kendall County, Illinois, is one of the top destinations in the country to take in the beauty of the great American outdoors with its many parks and riverfront activities.
Learn more about the local history of Kendall County and the importance of farming to the region in its many museums. Be part of the community by joining the seasonal events.
If these sound appealing to you, book a trip to Kendall County as soon as possible.
Refer to this list of the best things to do in Kendall County, Illinois, for an enjoyable time.
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