Lake Chaminwood Preserve
Location
Lake Chaminwood Preserve – Joseph Dollinger Family Access is located on Shepley Road, west of Interstate 55, in Channahon.
Hours
6 a.m.-sunset (April-October)
8 a.m.-sunset (November-March)
Trails
Lake Chaminwood Trail
Phone
815-727-8700
The 120-acre Lake Chaminwood Preserve in Channahon centers around two former quarry lakes that now provide opportunities for fishing, paddling and quiet recreation. A trail connection to the I&M Canal State Trail expands access beyond the preserve, linking visitors to a larger regional route.
Planning your visit
Lake Chaminwood Preserve is open 8 a.m. to sunset every day of the year except Christmas.
The preserve has one access area: Joseph Dollinger Family Access in Channahon.
Amenities and activities
- Boating: Personal small fishing boats are permitted but must be carried or transported by hand cart to the lake because there is no boat launch. No launch fee or District permit is required. State and District regulations apply.
- Canoeing/kayaking: An accessible and adaptive canoe and kayak launch allows paddlers of all abilities to enter and exit the water safely. No launch pass is required. A parking lot is available for trailer parking. Kayaks are available on site for rent April 1 through Oct. 31 through Rent.Fun.
- Picnicking: A picnic shelter is available for groups of fewer than 25 people on a first-come, first-served basis. No permit is required.
- Trails: Lake Chaminwood Preserve features 1.01 mile of paved trail suitable for biking, hiking, running, in-line skating, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The trail connects to the 61.5-mile I&M Canal State Trail via a 90-foot bridge over the canal.
- Fishing: Shoreline fishing is available on both lakes. Catch-and-release fishing is encouraged. The Illinois Department of Public Health has issued fish consumption advisories for lakes, including Monee Reservoir. Visit the IDPH fish advisory page for information.
Flora and fauna
Lake Chaminwood Preserve includes two lakes, a 35-acre lake and a 12-acre lake, along with a portion of the DuPage River and associated wetland habitat. These water features support a variety of aquatic and shoreline species.
Preserve history
The preserve was acquired between 2000 and 2011 and is part of the DuPage River preservation system, which protects nearly 1,800 acres.
Prior to belonging to the Forest Preserve District, the site’s lakes were created and used for quarrying operations.
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Upcoming events
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Fun in the Sun Paddle and Play
Head out onto the water for an evening of fun paddle games guaranteed to get you laughing in the sunshine.
Kayak Kollege
Learn basic paddling skills from certified instructors then try your new skills out on the lake.
Paddle Skills Refresher
Give your paddling skills a refresh and refine your techniques to make paddling a breeze and keep you going strong all day.
Latest headlines
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Lake Chaminwood debuts new kayak rental station
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.
Forest Preserve renames Custer Township preserves
The change links one with Sand Ridge Savanna and assigning the other the name Kankakee Sands.
New website offers fresh look, better experience, same commitment to its visitors
The Forest Preserve District has launched a redesigned website featuring streamlined navigation, a revamped event calendar, faster performance and an improved mobile experience.
Frequently asked questions
Whalon Lake in Naperville and Rock Run Rookery Preserve in Joliet offer fishing lakes where the District allows the launch of fishing boats (trolling motors only). Boating is also allowed at Lake Chaminwood Preserve in Channahon and Monee Reservoir in Monee Township, 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 at these preserves. There is no boat trailer parking at the Lake Chaminwood or Monee Reservoir. Canoes and kayaks may also be launched at all four preserves; no launch pass is required at any location.
Canoes, kayaks, rowboats and pedalboats may be rented from Monee Reservoir as well.
Boats may be launched between April 1 and Oct. 31. For more information about the use of watercraft in District preserves, visit the boating page or the canoeing/kayaking page.
Canoe and kayak rental is available at Monee Reservoir Visitor Center. Rentals also are available at Lake Chaminwood and Whalon Lake via a kiosk and vendor, respectively.
Visit the boating page for information about launching fishing boats at District preserves.
Fishing is allowed in any forest preserve unless otherwise posted. Visit the fishing page for more information.
There is no special permit required to fish in Will County forest preserves. However, in accordance with State law, anyone over the age of 16 who fishes a public Illinois waterway is required to have a fishing license, which may be obtained from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources or at the District's Hidden Lakes Trout Farm bait shop, The Tackle Box, and Monee Reservoir Visitor Center. Visit the fishing page for more information.
Electric-assist bicycles are allowed within the preserves as long as they meet certain requirements. The bikes must:
- Be low speed (an electric motor of less than 750 watts).
- Have a maximum speed of less than 20 miles per hour.
- Have functional pedals.
- Have a rider who is 16 years of age or older.
Per the District's General Use Ordinance, persons riding a bicycle must conform to federal and state bicycle laws.
Call 911 in an emergency. Non-emergency safety concerns should be directed to the Laraway Communications Center dispatch at 815-727-6191 (option 9) to have a Forest Preserve District officer dispatched. Non-emergency and past concerns can also be reported to the District's police department by calling 815-727-8700 or through the online form.