Online Resources for Paddlers
These links are provided for reference only. The Illinois Paddling Council takes no responsibility for services provided by other organizations. To request being added to these links, email the webmaster.
Kayak Rentals
DISCLAIMER: This list is provided as a service to the public looking for paddling opportunities. This list is not an endorsement of their services.
| Ayers Landing | Wedron, IL 60557 | Fox River |
| C&M Canoe Rental | Ottawa, IL 61350 | Fox River |
| Canoe the Kish at Larsen’s Landing | Rockford, IL 61109 | Kishwaukee River |
| Canoe the Vermilion | Streator, IL 61634 | N. Vermilion/Illinois/Fox/I&M Canal |
| Reed's Canoe Trips | Kankakee, IL 60901 | Kankakee River |
| Howling Wolfe | Aurora, IL 60504 | Fox River |
| Naperville Kayak | Naperville, IL 60565 | DuPage River |
| Kayak Starved Rock Campground | Ottawa, IL | Illinois River |
| Black Dog | Benton | Rend Lake |
| Golconda Marina | Golconda | Lusk Creek |
| Chicago River Canoe & Kayak | Multiple Locations | Busse Reservoir, Elk Grove. Clark Park Boathouse, Chicago. Maple Lake, Willow Springs. Skokie Lagoons, Winnetka. Lake Tampier, Orland Park. |
| Urban Kayaks | Chicago | Chicago Riverwalk, Montrose Harbor |
| Waveriders | Chicago | Rockwell, Bridgeport, River North |
| White Pelican | Oregon, IL | Rock River |
Paddling Clubs and Advocacy Groups
| Name | Link | Location | Notes |
| Chicago Whitewater Association | https://cwa.wildapricot.org/ | Chicago and Midwest | CWA is the only whitewater canoe and kayak club in Chicagoland. We offer the opportunity to learn the sport, be a steward for our rivers and streams, educational and social group trips and events. Publish events, training contacts and list of rivers in the Midwest with whitewater information. |
| Friends Of The Chicago River | https://www.chicagoriver.org/ | Chicago | Since 1979, Friends has been working to protect and restore the Chicago-Calumet River system for all people, water, and wildlife; and by doing so, has laid the foundation for the river to be a beautiful, continuous, and easily accessible corridor of open space in the Chicago region. Publish list of events. |
| Friends Of The DuPage River, Plainfield | https://www.facebook.com/groups/507439513868033/ | Plainfield | This FB group is designed to be a place where people can post pictures, share their trips and experiences on the DuPage river with others and anything else related to the DuPage river. Publish a variety of events on their Facebook page. |
| Friends Of The Fox River | https://friendsofthefoxriver.org/ | Dundee township | The mission of the Friends of the Fox River is to preserve, restore and protect the Fox River Watershed’s resources by connecting people with nature through education, research, restoration and advocacy. Publish an event calendar. |
| Friends of the Pecatonica River | https://www.pecriver.org/ | Freeport | To preserve, protect, and foster the vitality of the Pecatonica River within its watershed in Stephenson County, Illinois. Publish list of events. |
| Upper Sangamon River Conservancy | https://sangamonriver.org/ | Mahomet | The Upper Sangamon River Conservancy was established in the Spring of 2009, growing out of a grassroots effort by community members who are concerned about the Sangamon River. Our purpose is to preserve, maintain, monitor, and promote public use and awareness of the Sangamon River. Publish list of events. |
| Lincoln Park Boat Club | https://www.lpboatclub.org/ | Chicago | Provide a variety of rowing, SUP and Kayak resources including training. |
| Northern Illinois Canoe & Kayak (N.I.C.K.) | Northern Illinois Canoe & Kayak (N.I.C.K.), | Northern Illinois | A group of friendly Chicagoland area paddlers who share tips and pictures. We encourage safe paddling. Publish a variety of events including training and racing. |
| Potawatomi Paddlers Association | https://www.kankakeeriverppa.org/ | Kankakee and Iroquois Rivers | Potawatomi Paddlers Association (PPA) is a 501-c-3 formed in 2017 to assure continued care and improvements that foster safe and enjoyable paddle sports (canoeing, kayaking, and stand up paddling) and camping along the Kankakee River national water trail. Publish a variety of events including training. |
| Prairie State Canoeists | https://www.prairiestatecanoeists.org/ | Chicago, Illinois and Midwest | Prairie State Canoeists is a kayak and canoe club that engages in recreational, social, and educational activities in the promotion and pursuit of canoeing and kayaking. Activities include day, weekend, and week-long trips and a range of paddling classes. Related activities include the establishment, maintenance, and preservation of canoe trails and natural water courses, and the conservation of natural resources. |
| St. Charles Canoe Club | https://www.stcharlescanoeclub.com/ | St. Charles | This is your gateway of opportunity to talk to and learn from some of the most experienced paddlers Illinois has produced or to just have a social paddle with one of Illinois friendliest clubs. They publish a variety of events. They are a resource of anyone interested in racing. |
| Saukenuk Paddlers Canoe & Kayak Club | https://saukenuk.org/ | Quad Cities (Davenport, IA) | Quad Cities family friendly paddle club. Organized paddles on our local streams, rivers, & lakes as well as weekend trips to surrounding states. Publish a variety of events on their Facebook page. |
| https://www.facebook.com/share/9J4Wf9grCb1HwCJh/ | |||
| StateLine Paddlers | https://www.statelinepaddlers.org/ | Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin | We are a group of paddlers that just like to share time on the water. If you enjoy paddling and get to the Northern Illinois or Southern Wisconsin area, join us on a paddle. |
Other Resources
| Name | Link | Location | Notes |
| Central Illinois Paddling Information | https://www.localopal.org/paddling-canoe-kayak-sup.html | Central Illinois | This is the link to the paddling portion of a broader list of outdoor activities available in central Illinois. |
| Cook County Forest Preserve | https://fpdcc.com/things-to-do/boating-canoeing-kayaking/ | Cook County | List of paddling resources available in the county. List of lake and river launches, rental locations, regulation and safety information. |
| Dekalb County Forest Preserve | https://dekalbcounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/fp-brochure.pdf | Dekalb County | Link to a brochure listing activities, including paddling, available at their facilities. |
| DuPage County Forest Preserve | https://www.dupageforest.org/things-to-do/recreational-activities/boating | DuPage County | List of paddling resources available in the county. List of lake and river launches, rental locations, regulation and safety information. |
| Enjoy Illinois | https://www.enjoyillinois.com/things-to-do/outdoor-recreation/canoeing-and-kayaking/ | Illinois | Extensive list of paddling related activities and locations. |
| Illinois Dept. Natural Resources | https://dnr.illinois.gov/recreation/canoekayak.html | Illinois | List of paddling opportunities at a variety of Illinois State Parks. |
| Kane County Forest Preserve | https://www.kaneforest.com/preserve-amenities-list | Kane County | List of activities, including boat launches, available at their facilities. |
| Lake County Forest Preserve | https://www.lcfpd.org/things-to-do/recreation/boat-launches/ | Lake County | List of paddling resources available in the county. List of lake and river launches, rental locations, regulation and safety information. |
| Openlands - Paddle NE Illinois | https://openlands.org/explore/paddle-illinois/ | Northeast Illinois | Founded in 1963, Openlands protects the natural and open spaces of northeastern Illinois and the surrounding region to ensure cleaner air and water, protect natural habitats and wildlife, and help balance and enrich our lives. Paddle Northeastern Illinois - is an interactive guide to the Northeastern Illinois water trails system, which encompasses 10 waterways, ranging from creeks that flow through densely wooded forest preserves to the skyscrapers of downtown Chicago as seen from Lake Michigan and the Chicago River. |