On Illinois River from Lone Point Shelter off IL 71 in Starved Rock State Park to Eagle Cliff Overlook/Starved Rock Lock & Dam. Lots of birds to see, along with beautiful sandstone bluffs.

From Pirates Cay access in Norway, IL to Fox River Park in Ottawa, IL. Both free, public access points. Have to get out & go around the dam in Dayton. We weren't sure exactly where to put back in at Dayton dam, so went to far and had to turn back, which added time to our trip. Turn left just past the dam, and you'll see Portage signs to follow to get back on.

This section of the North Vermilion River is the most popular for whitewater paddlers as it offers the same great scenery as the other sections of the North Vermilion but a lot more exciting whitewater for experienced paddlers. The river offers lots of diverse scenery including impressive cliffs, interesting rock formations, a side canyon up Matthiessen State Park, and lots of dense wooded terrain. The river offers multiple class II-III rapids, boulder fields, and a dam that requires portaging so the run should only be attempted by qualified paddlers. The safety of running the river is dependent on current water levels so check the gauge at the Lowell Bridge, as levels around 2 are best and anything over 4 is questionable. The take-out and put-in spots for this section of the river can also be a little tricky and strenuous so be prepared for a little challenge at the beginning and the end.

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.

Located just south of the Illinois/Wisconsin border, this section of the Lake Michigan waterfront provides paddlers with great views of large undeveloped beaches, peaceful nature preserves, and Illinois Beach State Park. The section from North Point Marina to illinois Beach State Park is not very far but the water can be rough and difficult to paddle and the area is a little more remote so it should only be attempted by experienced paddlers. Be sure to only use the designated access points are much of the shoreline is part of a nature preserve and access is restricted or requires a permit.

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.

Paddlers will enjoy excellent views of downtown Chicago while kayaking along this section of the Chicago lakefront from Diversity Harbor to 12th Street. Kayaking Lake Michigan is an excellent adventure in an urban area, but the trip is not for beginner paddlers as the water can be very rough and there is lots of large boat traffic. There are launch sites at both ends of the trip and it can be paddled in either direction and done as a one-way trip by shuttling vehicles or an out-and-back.

Setting off just north of Goose Island, this urban kayaking trip provides some of the best views of downtown Chicago. The paddling route goes under multiple bridges and past multiple downtown Chicago landmarks and skyscrapers including Trump Tower and the Sears Building. The water can be rough and crowded due to water taxis and tour boats so paddlers need to be extra cautious and pay attention to larger boats on the river. Launching from the North Avenue boat launch is operated by a local kayak tour company that charges a fee to launch.