Canoe and kayak activities in the suburbs
A variety of canoe and kayak classes are offered in the suburbs. Here is a sampling of some upcoming programs:
Forest Preserve District of Cook CountyFull Moon Celebration Paddle: 6-9:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25, Tower Road Boat Launch, Tower Road & North Branch Trail, Northfield. Bring your own canoe or use one from the forest preserves. A limited number of boats are available for loan. Canoe instruction and safety equipment provided. All paddles are for ages 5 & up. Free. For information, call (312) 533-5751
Rentals and boating access: The forest preserves provide boating access to three rivers and eight recreational waterbodies. Boat rentals are available at Busse Woods, Maple Lake, Skokie Lagoons and Tampier Lake. Rates start at $15/hour for kayaks and $20/hour for canoes. fpdcc.com/recreation/boating
Forest Preserve District of DuPage CountyPaddle With a Ranger: 9-11:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 14, Fullersburg Woods, Oak Brook. Take a guided paddle through a forest preserve. Bring your own canoe or kayak to this free program or rent one for $20 per person (300-pound capacity). Ages 14 and up; under 18 with an adult. Register online or at (630) 933-7248. See more at: dupageforest.org/Calendar.aspx?id=17203&startDate=8/14/2016%209:00:00%20AM#sthash. CrXdCfcQ. dpuf.
Boat rentals: Visitors can rent watercraft at two popular DuPage County lakes. Both areas have wheelchair-accessible docks. A driver's license is required as a deposit for all rentals. Silver Lake at Blackwell in Warrenville: rowboat, canoe, kayak, $10/hour, $50/day; Herrick Lake at Herrick Lake in Wheaton: $10/hour, $50/day. For more information on the district's boating, visit http://dupageforest.org/Recreation/Activities_and_Facilities/Boating.aspx.
Fox River Canoe & KayakThree different self-guided river trips: Boats are usually launched at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p. m. The cost is $40 per canoe or kayak for the Batavia trip and $60 for the St. Charles and North Aurora trips. The price includes life preservers, paddles and shuttle. The Batavia trip starts at the Old Mill Park in Geneva and goes down the Fox River to Batavia. This trip is about 3 miles long and takes about one hour to complete. The St. Charles trip is 5 miles long and begins at the John Duerr Forest Preserve in South Elgin and ends at the Ferson Creek Park in St. Charles. The trip is about 2½ hours long. The North Aurora Trip is more than 6 miles long and takes about three hours. It begins at the Old Mill Park in Geneva and ends at the Main Street Bridge in North Aurora. To reserve a canoe or kayak call (630) 443-8921. http://foxrivercanoe.com/.
Friends of the Chicago RiverMoonlight Lagoons Paddle: 6-10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17. Meet at Tower Road Boat Launch, in Winnetka. Canoe exploration of the Skokie Lagoons as the sun goes down and the moon begins to rise. Knowledgeable guides will provide safety and paddling instruction plus all of the necessary equipment. Free parking on-site, and we start and end from the same location. Ages 5 and up. Each canoe seats two paddlers, with the option for a third non-paddler to sit in the middle. Trips cost $50 per person, $45 for members, $20 for children under the age of 10. To register: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E145588&id=20. Questions? Contact Claire Snyder: csnyder@chicagoriver.org or (312) 939-0490 ext. 14. To see other upcoming events, visit www.chicagoriver.org/events.
LL BeanSunset Kayak Tour: 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, Busse Woods, Busse Lake Boating Center, Groves #17-#25, Elk Grove Village. Following a short kayaking demonstration, our expert guides will take you on an interpretive tour and share fascinating facts about the local waters and wildlife. Paddle one of our very stable solo recreational kayaks. A complementary snack will be provided. All necessary paddling equipment is provided. $59. To register, visit www.llbean.com/llb/event/83637?occurrenceId=73522&locationId=641&feat=1000001730-ods. For information on other local activities, visit http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/1000001730.
REIKayak Tour - Half Day Des Plaines River: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13. Launching from Vernon Hills, follow the Des Plaines River through the forest preserves of Lake County. Travel through and past many significant forest preserve sites including the historic Ryerson cabin before crossing into Cook County and continuing to the take out point. Previous paddling experience is recommended as the river has several bends that require maneuvering and, depending on water levels, may require a portage. $75-$95. For registration, visit www.rei.com/events/kayak-tour-half-day-des-plaines-river/wheeling/146656. For additional events, see www.rei.com/outdoorschool/paddling-classes.html.