Will County Forest Preserve Offers 50-Mile Biking, Camping Trip

WILL COUNTY, IL — Mokena will be a stop on a 50-mile round-trip biking and camping adventure offered by the Forest Preserve District of Will County. Paricipants will spend two nights camping on the "Off-Leash: I&M Canal Trail Bike Ride and Overnighter" from 6 p.m. Sept. 13 to 1 p.m. Sept. 15.

The preserve said the trip will begin with camping Friday night at Hickory Creek Preserve – Cleveland Road Access in Mokena, biking 25 miles Saturday, mostly along the Old Plank Road Trail and I&M Canal Trail, to McKinley Woods in Channahon. The group will then enjoy a night hike, s’mores, a campfire and socializing while camping along the Des Plaines River on Saturday night.

The group will then bike the 25 miles back to Hickory Creek Preserve on Sunday morning. The preserve said the Saturday breakfast/dinner and Sunday breakfast are included for campers. Participants may choose to opt out of the Friday night camp and begin the ride Saturday morning at 10 a.m.; with check-in between 8-10 a.m. Participants must be able to bike 25 miles each day over a variety of terrains.

The program is being offered in partnership with GoodSpeed Cycles. It is $85 per person and the all-ages program is free for children 11 and younger. The ride is limited to 100 bike campers.