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Recreation

Canoeing/Kayaking

News You Can Use

A portion of the DuPage River Trail at Whalon Lake in Naperville is closed for flooding repairs. View more information.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is harvesting Asian carp from Rock Run Rookery Preserve in Joliet. View more information.

Grinton Grove at Hammel Woods - Route 59 Access in Shorewood is closed for site improvements. View more information.

The Forest Preserve offers canoeing and kayaking opportunities at locations throughout Will County.

Canoeing and Kayaking Regulations

All persons in a canoe or kayak must wear a personal flotation device at all times.

Swimming, wading, and float tubes are prohibited. Persons must be entirely secured in watercraft.

A launch pass (daily or seasonal) is required to launch a canoe or kayak at Monee Reservoir. No launch pass is required at other locations.

For more information on Forest Preserve regulations, download the District's General Use Ordinance No. 124 or call 815.727.8700.

Canoeing and Kayaking Locations

Canoe/kayak launches are available at four of the Forest Preserve's fishing lakes: Whalon Lake in Naperville, Rock Run Rookery Preserve in Joliet, Lake Chaminwood Preserve in Minooka, and Monee Reservoir.

Canoe/kayak launches are also available at the following preserves for access to local rivers:

Hammel Woods (Shorewood - DuPage River)
Riverview Farmstead (Naperville - DuPage River)
McKinley Woods (Channahon - Des Plaines River)
Isle a la Cache Preserve (Romeoville - Des Plaines River)

Download a map of the northeastern Illinois water trails.

Canoes and kayaks are available for rental at Monee Reservoir. Canoes and kayaks are rented on a first-come, first-served basis and are available May 1-September 30. With a rental, life vests, oars, and paddles are included.

Photograph Courtesy of Lauren Biel

Activity Fees

Canoe/Kayak Launch Pass

A seasonal canoe/kayak launch pass is valid at Monee Reservoir May 1-September 30.

Activity Fee: $7/day, $30/season

Canoe/Kayak Rental

Canoes and kayaks are available for rental at Monee Reservoir May 1-September 30. Canoes have a maximum capacity of three persons per canoe. Regular kayaks have a maximum capacity of one person per kayak, and tandem kayaks have a maximum capacity of two persons per kayak.

A $20 cash deposit is required on all boat rentals. Renters must be 18 years old and bring a valid driver's license or state ID. A $20 late fee will be charged if boats are not returned by 5:00 p.m. in April and September 15-October 31, or 7:00 p.m. May 1-September 14.

Activity Fee: $7/hour, $25/half-day, $30/day

View All Activity Fees

You can enjoy this activity at the following locations:

Preserves

• Hammel Woods - DuPage River Access (Shorewood)

• Hammel Woods - Route 59 Access (Shorewood)

• Isle a la Cache (Romeoville)

• Lake Chaminwood Preserve (Minooka)

• McKinley Woods - Frederick's Grove (Channahon)

• McKinley Woods - Kerry Sheridan Grove (Channahon)

• Monee Reservoir (Monee)

• Riverview Farmstead Preserve (Naperville)