These 6 River Activities Will Take You To Parts Of Illinois You'd Never See Otherwise
By Daisy Dow|Published July 10, 2024
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Daisy Dow
Author
Daisy is a Chicago-based freelance writer and tour guide. Originally from Georgia, she attended Kenyon College before calling Illinois home. She has been a writer for the last four years, sharing stories about small businesses all over the country. You can usually spot Daisy in the window of a neighborhood café, as her hunt for the world’s best cup of coffee continues.
There are some spots in Illinois you just can’t reach by foot or by car, but that shouldn’t hold you back from seeing them. There are 87,110 miles of rivers and streams within our state’s borders, with countless nooks and crannies harboring interesting rock formations and hard-to-spot animals. I’ve been on a mission to explore Illinois’ network of rivers, but I want to go a step further than just standing on a bridge and snapping a photo. Tubing, white water rafting, canoeing, kayaking– the list goes on of ways to enjoy the state’s rivers while actually on the water.
One of the most accessible and affordable ways to enjoy rivers is tubing. You can go tubing with your own inner tube or rent one from a company that usually offers transportation to and from the river.
Tubing requires zero pervious experience and will get you in-tune with the speed of the river.
All you need is a tube, life jacket, and a mapped out path to partake in this activity. Tubing with a group such as Lundeen's Landing can take all the pressure off of following a particular route and coordinating parking. I am hoping to get out to the Quad Cities area soon to enjoy a quiet afternoon floating down the Rock River.
Especially in a single-person kayak, you can investigate anything you please. Ayer's Landing has a 6-mile and 12-mile loop it recommends. Do note that river shoes are required for rentals; but for any river activities you engage in, it's a good idea to wear them.
Naperville Kayak runs tours along the DuPage River. For those new to kayaking or paddle boarding, it's best to have your first experience on calm waters. Naperville Kayak offers rentals on Lisle Community Park's lake for those needing to get acquainted with the mechanics of paddle boarding before heading out on fast-flowing waters.
Cache Bayou Outfitters' canoes can comfortably fit two people but there are three seat canoes available as well. When canoeing through the area you might spot great egrets, great eagles, anhingas, red-tailed hawks, great blue herons, and if you are lucky you might see a river otter!
Vermillion River Rafting just outside of Matthiessen State Park provides rafts for self-guided tours. All guests will have to watch some safety videos before launching their raft, so be sure to reserve in advance to get your paperwork squared away before hitting the rapids.
Renting a boat will be a very different experience than the workout of kayaking or rafting, but it is still an engaging activity that will get you closer to nature.
Pontoon boat rentals along the Illinois River are ideal for larger groups prioritizing quality time together.
Engine-powered boats will get you flying along Illinois' waterways, maximizing how much you can see in your time on the water. Heritage Harbor in Illinois offers pontoon rentals out of their marina. Heading west out of the marina you can drive around Bull's Island and see the rocky bluffs of Buffalo Rock State Park from the water.
Rivers are the lifeblood of Illinois, flowing from the top of the state to its bottom. There are ample opportunities to get out on the water and forge your own connection to our state’s waterways. For those of us located near Chicago, I recommend checking out this Nighttime River Float along the Chicago River that will take you through the city’s downtown area. Whether you are looking for a tandem kayak tour or a laid-back tubing session, there’s a river activity in Illinois for everybody. Do you have a favorite river activity you’d add to this list?
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