Paddling in Illinois

Explore 577 kayak launches, boat ramps, and paddling destinations across Illinois.

577 locations403 Lakes144 Rivers13 Reservoirs

Best Paddling in Illinois

Read our comprehensive guide to the top paddling destinations in Illinois →

a small white boat in the water

Bay Creek Lake

Illinois · ~4 mi from Simpson

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a path with rocks and grass by a body of water

Hennepin Canal

Illinois · ~1 mi from Annawan

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a person in a green kayak in a body of water

Isaak Walton League

Illinois · ~1 mi from Geneseo

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a body of water with trees around it

Hennepin Canal

Illinois · ~2 mi from Carbon Cliff

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a couple of people in a boat on a river

Hennepin Canal

Illinois · ~2 mi from Geneseo

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a grassy field next to a lake with trees

Hennepin Canal

Illinois · ~2 mi from New Bedford

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Group of kayakers paddling through an urban canal with city skyline

Charleston Side Channel

Illinois · ~2 mi from Charleston

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Group of kayakers paddling through an urban canal with city skyline

Hennepin Canal

Illinois · ~2 mi from Atkinson

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Group of kayakers paddling through an urban canal with city skyline

Hennepin Canal

Illinois · ~3 mi from Mineral

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a body of water with trees around it

Hennepin Canal

Illinois · ~2 mi from Wyanet

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a body of water with trees and grass around it

Hennepin Canal

Illinois · ~3 mi from Geneseo

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a lake with a purple sky and trees in the background

Horton Lake

Illinois · ~0 mi from Nauvoo

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a lake with a purple sky and trees in the background

Lake Decatur

Illinois · ~0 mi from Decatur

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Kayakers on a peaceful lake surrounded by autumn foliage at sunset

Lakefront Park

Illinois · ~0 mi from Round Lake

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a lake with a purple sky and trees in the background

Marina Street

Illinois · ~0 mi from Wauconda

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a lake with a purple sky and trees in the background

Murphy Street

Illinois · ~0 mi from Wauconda

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Kayakers on a peaceful lake surrounded by autumn foliage at sunset

Park Street

Illinois · ~0 mi from Wauconda

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a lake with a purple sky and trees in the background

Big Bend Lake Boat Ramp

Illinois · ~1 mi from Des Plaines

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a lake with a purple sky and trees in the background

Clinton Lake

Illinois · ~1 mi from Dewitt

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a lake with a purple sky and trees in the background

Columbia woods canoe landing

Illinois · ~1 mi from Willow Springs

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Kayakers on a peaceful lake surrounded by autumn foliage at sunset

Cook Memorial Park boat ramp

Illinois · ~1 mi from Wauconda

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Kayakers on a peaceful lake surrounded by autumn foliage at sunset

Fox 14 Marina Fox River

Illinois · ~1 mi from Fox River Grove

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Kayakers on a peaceful lake surrounded by autumn foliage at sunset

Greenfield City Lake

Illinois · ~1 mi from Greenfield

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Kayakers on a peaceful lake surrounded by autumn foliage at sunset

Hennepin Canal Bridge 45 - boat ramp

Illinois · ~1 mi from Rock Falls

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Kayakers on a peaceful lake surrounded by autumn foliage at sunset

Hillcrest Road

Illinois · ~1 mi from Dahinda

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Kayakers on a peaceful lake surrounded by autumn foliage at sunset

Irving Park Road Canoe Landing

Illinois · ~1 mi from Schiller Park

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a lake with a purple sky and trees in the background

Lake of The Woods

Illinois · ~1 mi from Mahomet

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a lake with a purple sky and trees in the background

Madison Avenue

Illinois · ~1 mi from Wauconda

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Kayakers on a peaceful lake surrounded by autumn foliage at sunset

North Spring Lake

Illinois · ~1 mi from Fox Valley

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Kayakers on a peaceful lake surrounded by autumn foliage at sunset

Northwestern Woods Canoe Landing

Illinois · ~1 mi from Des Plaines

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Kayakers on a peaceful lake surrounded by autumn foliage at sunset

Plank Road Meadow boat launch

Illinois · ~1 mi from Lyons

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a small white boat in the water

Rend Lake

Illinois · ~1 mi from Bonnie

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Kayakers on a peaceful lake surrounded by autumn foliage at sunset

a marina

Illinois · ~1 mi from Antioch

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Kayakers on a peaceful lake surrounded by autumn foliage at sunset

a marina

Illinois · ~1 mi from Fox Lake

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a lake with a purple sky and trees in the background

a marina

Illinois · ~1 mi from Fox Lake

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Kayakers on a peaceful lake surrounded by autumn foliage at sunset

Benet Lake

Illinois · ~1 mi from Benet Lake

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a small white boat in the water

Bunker Hill Lake

Illinois · ~1 mi from Bunker Hill

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Kayakers on a peaceful lake surrounded by autumn foliage at sunset

Byron Boat Ramp

Illinois · ~1 mi from Byron

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a small white boat in the water

Citizens Lake

Illinois · ~1 mi from Monmouth

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a small white boat in the water

Diamond Lake

Illinois · ~1 mi from Mundelein

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a lake with a purple sky and trees in the background

Fox Chain O'Lakes

Illinois · ~1 mi from Antioch

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Kayakers on a peaceful lake surrounded by autumn foliage at sunset

Fox Chain O'Lakes

Illinois · ~1 mi from Antioch

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a small white boat in the water

Herrin Lake #1

Illinois · ~1 mi from Energy

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a small white boat in the water

Lake Atwood Boat Launch

Illinois · ~1 mi from Cary

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a small white boat in the water

Lake Eureka

Illinois · ~1 mi from Eureka

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a small white boat in the water

Lake Marie - Sequoit Harbor

Illinois · ~1 mi from Antioch

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Kayakers on a peaceful lake surrounded by autumn foliage at sunset

Maywood Grove Canoe Landing

Illinois · ~1 mi from River Forest

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a small white boat in the water

Mermet State Lake

Illinois · ~1 mi from Joppa

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Kayakers on a peaceful lake surrounded by autumn foliage at sunset

Mermet State Lake

Illinois · ~1 mi from Joppa

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a small white boat in the water

Mineola

Illinois · ~1 mi from Fox Lake

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a small white boat in the water

Mt. Olive Old City Lake

Illinois · ~1 mi from Mount Olive

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a small white boat in the water

Pinckneyville City Lake

Illinois · ~1 mi from Pinckneyville

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Kayakers on a peaceful lake surrounded by autumn foliage at sunset

Sam Dale Lake

Illinois · ~1 mi from Johnsonville

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Kayakers on a peaceful lake surrounded by autumn foliage at sunset

Shabbona Lake

Illinois · ~1 mi from Shabbona

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a lake with a purple sky and trees in the background

Silver Lake

Illinois · ~1 mi from Warrenville

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Kayakers on a peaceful lake surrounded by autumn foliage at sunset

Silver Lake (Highland)

Illinois · ~1 mi from Highland

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a small white boat in the water

a resort

Illinois · ~1 mi from Antioch

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a lake with a purple sky and trees in the background

Alsip Boat Ramp

Illinois · ~1 mi from Alsip

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a lake with a purple sky and trees in the background

Busse Lake

Illinois · ~1 mi from Elk Grove Village

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a small white boat in the water

Busse Lake

Illinois · ~1 mi from Elk Grove Village

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I kayak in Illinois?

Illinois has 577 public kayak launch points listed on The Paddling Hub. Popular water body types include lakes, rivers, reservoirs, canals, creeks.

Are there beginner-friendly paddling spots in Illinois?

Yes! Many of the 577 beginner-rated locations in Illinois offer calm waters and easy boat ramp access, making them perfect for new paddlers.

Do I need a permit to kayak in Illinois?

Permit requirements vary by location. Most public boat ramps in Illinois are free to access, though some state parks may charge an entrance or parking fee. Check individual location details for specific requirements.