Lake Chaminwood Preserve

Location

Lake Chaminwood Preserve – Joseph Dollinger Family Access is located on Shepley Road, west of Interstate 55, in Channahon.

Phone

815-727-8700

Hours

6 a.m.-Sunset (April-October)
8 a.m.-Sunset (November-March)

On social media

Like the Lake Chaminwood Facebook page to get news updates, photos, videos and information about upcoming programs at this preserve.

News you can use

A new kayak rental station is available for public use at Lake Chaminwood Preserve in Channahon. Patrons can download the Rent.Fun app to pay for the kayaks, which include paddles and life vests. The cost is $25 for the first two hours and $15 for each additional hour. 

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Preserve history

The 120-acre Lake Chaminwood Preserve was acquired between 2000 and 2011.

The preserve is part of the DuPage River preservation system, which conserves more than 1,500 acres.

Prior to the District’s acquisition of the land, its two lakes were created and used for quarrying.

Lake Chaminwood Preserve has one access area: Joseph Dollinger Family Access in Channahon.

PLAN YOUR ADVENTURE ON THIS PRESERVE'S INTERACTIVE MAP

Natural resources

Lake Chaminwood Preserve protects a 35-acre lake, a 12-acre lake and a portion of the DuPage River with associated wetland habitat.

Amenities and activities

Trails

Lake Chaminwood Preserve features 0.85 mile of paved trail, ideal for the following activities:

  • Biking
  • Hiking/running
  • In-line skating
  • Cross-country skiing
  • Snowshoeing

This trail connects the preserve to the 61.5-mile I&M Canal State Trail via a 90-foot bridge over the canal.

Picnicking

The preserve offers one picnic shelter, which may be used by groups of less than 25 people on a first-come, first-served basis. A permit is not required.


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Fishing

The preserve offers access to shoreline fishing on the two lakes. Catch-and-release fishing is encouraged, but daily limits are:

Canoeing/kayaking

The preserve features an accessible and adaptive canoe/kayak launch that is designed to help paddlers with disabilities enter and exit the water independently and safely. The launch is open to people of all abilities. No launch pass is required. There is a gravel parking lot for kayak and canoe trailer parking.

Kayaks are also available for rental at Lake Chaminwood April 1-Oct. 31 through a rental station operated by Rent.Fun. The cost is $25 for the first two hours and $15 for each additional hour. Rentals are handled through the Rent.Fun app and each rental includes a kayak, paddle and life vest. 

Boating

The preserve allows for the launch of personal small fishing boats, but only boats that can be transported in or on top of a vehicle and carried or rolled by hand cart to the lake are permitted. There is no boat trailer parking at the preserve. No launch fee or District permit is required. Additional State and District regulations apply.