The section of the Middle Fork of the South Vermilion River between Kinney's Ford and Kickapoo State Park is one of the most popular paddling sites in all of Illinois due to its easy access, beautiful scenery, and steady flow creating lots of fun riffles and rapids. The river runs through wooded terrain with lots of rock cliffs and bluffs that create a beautiful setting. The run also ends in one of the most popular and beautiful state parks in the state, Kickapoo State Park, which provides multiple lakes and ponds that also provide excellent opportunity for paddling and wildlife viewing.

Paddlers will enjoy lots of nature and green space right in the middle of a busy suburban area while paddling along the Northshore Channel of the Chicago River. The channel is tree-lined with parks on both sides along much of the route providing lots of nice scenery and opportunity for wildlife viewing and birdwatching. There is a good access site in Skokie for parking and launching onto the channel. The water is very mild and can be traveled in both directions so shuttling of vehicles is not necessary to travel down the channel.

The Fox River between Yorkville and Sheridan is considered to be the most beautiful and scenic section of the river due to its sandstone cliffs, tree-lined shores home to abundant wildlife, and historical sites along the way. The 15-mile long section of river also offers lots of convenient access points providing paddlers with lots of good resting spots and the option of customizing longer or shorter runs if desired. The river is mild flowing with just a few small riffles making it a great option for paddlers of all skill levels.

The scenery along the Fox River is very impressive with the multiple cliffs of St. Peters Sandstone and shoreline of thick vegetation that is home to abundant wildlife. This section of the Fox River has a nice steady current with mild riffles that make for an enjoyable float but nothing too challenging. This section of the Fox River is pretty shallow and typically unaccessible to motorboats keeping the waters quiet and peaceful. There is a small fee required for the put-in at Sheridan.

Situated in the scenic and wooded Shawnee Hills, Pounds Hollow Lake provides excellent outdoor recreational opportunities including wildlife viewing while paddling on its quiet waters. The lake only allows electric motor boats and non-motorized boats. There are lots of lakeside picnic areas and nice swimming areas. The lake is also a great location for fishing, hiking, and camping.

Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area is known most for its excellent hunting and fishing but the lake also provides a great paddling and wildlife viewing experience. The lake is located to an adjacent designated nature preserve that is home to abundant wildlife. The lake has four launch areas and allows non-motorized boats and motorboats of 10 horsepower or less. The lake also offers hiking trails and picnic areas.

Located in the suburbs northwest of downtown Chicago in the Ned Brown Forest Preserve, Busse Lake offers a great place to paddle and enjoy nature in the middle of a busy metropolitan area. The lake has multiple coves and channels but boats are only allowed on the main portion known as Busse Lake and South Pool. There are launch sites available on both sections of the lake. The shores are lined with wetlands and woodlands providing lots of opportunity for viewing wildlife and birdwatching. The lake only allows non-motorized boats and electric trolling motors making the waters quiet and calm for fishing and paddling. The forest preserve also offers picnic areas and lots of biking and hiking trails.

Located 25 miles southwest of Peoria, the Banner Marsh State Fish and Wildlife Area provides and excellent spot for paddling on a protected body of water along the Illinois River. The area is known for its excellent wildlife observation and birdwatching opportunities. The marsh offers lots of side channels and coves that make for an interesting trip. The area provides a boat ramp, restrooms, and picnic sites.

Shabbona Lake State Park is located in a rural area just west of Chicago and offers a beautiful natural setting perfect for all types of outdoor recreation including kayaking and canoeing. The surrounding woodland, wetland, and prairie terrain that surround the lake are home to abundant wildlife and plantlife. The lake restricts motorboating to 10 horsepower or less keeping the waters a little calmer for paddling. The lake is part of a state park that offers lots of amenities including a boat launch and docks, campgrounds, picnic areas, and hiking trails.

This stretch of the Fox River starts from the city of Yorkville and travels downstream through heavily wooded terrain to Silver Springs State Park. The paddle provides lots of opportunity for viewing wildlife and enjoying nature along the river. The flow of the river along this sections is slow and relaxing. The trip can be done as a longer, more physically challenging out-and-back trip or a one-way trip by shuttling vehicles.