Chapter Six - Kayaking Stops In Illinois

Route 90 in Illinois becomes pleasant driving once you get past the Chicago area. It's very hard to think about kayak stops with the endless traffic there is to deal with on Route 90 through Chicago. However, once you leave that maze of bypasses and interchanges you start to get into some nice kayaking areas of the state. One of the great things about the Illinois State Park system is that they do no charge any fees for the use of their facilities. This makes kayaking in Illinois an inexpensive treat.

The stops listed in this chapter appear as they naturally occur when traveling from east to west along Route 90.

 

Map of Route in Illinois

 

Stop 1:  Fox River, Voyagers Landing Forest Preserve, IL

Directions: I-90 to Elgin (exit 9). Exit Rt. 31 north to light. Turn right on Tollgate Rd. Go to the first light (Airport Rd.) and turn right. Follow this road to the river and the entrance to Voyageur Landing Forest Preserve. Turn left into park.

 

Voyagers Landing Forest Preserve

50 Airport Road  

Elgin, IL

847-741-0106

Website: http://www.co.kane.il.us/ForestPreserve/fp/voyagers_landing.asp

Voyageur Landing Forest Preserve is located on Frontage Road (also called Airport Road) via Route 31, which runs along the Fox River and below the I-90 Tollway. You can see the launch area on the right side as you drive over the bridge on Route 90. Once a private fishing camp, this preserve is a very popular river spot. The Fox River is quite wide on the north side of Elgin and boaters come from many areas to launch here.

Sign for Voyageur Landing Forest Preserve

 

The Fox River is a tributary of the Mississippi River by way of the Illinois River. Major tributaries of the Illinois River are the Kankakee River, Des Plaines River, Fox River, Vermillion River, Spoon River, Sangamon River, La Moine River and the Mackinaw River. The 35-mile long Fox River Valley Trail runs along the Fox River from Algonquin to Aurora, and provides some of the best hiking, biking and recreational activities in Illinois. The Tyler Creek Trail connects to the Fox River Valley Trail, running under the I-90 bridge to the east side of the river.

Voyageur Landing near Elgin, Illinois, provides boat access to the Fox River. Voyageur Landing is located on Frontage Road (Airport Road) along Fox River, just off I-90. The Fox River has a strong current and only very seasoned kayakers should attempt a launch at Voyageur Landing. Those who do not want to kayak against the current can arrange to have someone pick them up a few miles downstream.

Muddy banks of the Fox River near boat ramp at Voyageur Landing

 

There is a concrete boat ramp and a floating dock at the entrance to Voyageur Landing Forest Preserve.

Boat ramp and dock at Voyageur Landing Forest Preserve - Route 90 bridge can be seen in the upper left -hand corner of photograph

 

I drove into the Preserve a bit further and launched at a nice soft, sandy spot along the river. A family of ducks watched my launch then we headed downriver together. The river is wide with the weakest currents near the shore. I stayed close to shore and paddled under the I-90 bridge. It was early in the morning and the sky was blue and clear. The current is swift but manageable in this area of the river. The shoreline is very interesting and after kayaking under the I-90 overpass the river opens up into a very wide, easy-flowing channel. It is possible to launch, go downstream and paddle back to your original launch site, but it would be much more fun to arrange to have someone pick you up further downstream. You should take care to watch for people fishing as you come close to shore.

Shore of Fox River from my kayak

 

If I didn't have such a tight trip itinerary I would have liked to stay on the Fox River for several days. Although it's an urban area, there is a peaceful calm around the Fox River shoreline.

The Fox River

Best kayak launch area at Voyageur Landing

         This photograph shows the area near the best launch site. The gentle slope and soft sand provide an ideal launch site. The bank has large trees providing shade and are easily spotted from the river when you are ready to land.

Changing area at Voyageur Landing

 

Voyageur Landing provides minimal changing facilities and no concessions. However, there are picnic tables and fire rings and one unisex bathroom/changing room.

Shoreline along the Fox River

 

Towns located on the Fox River include St. Charles, Elgin, Aurora, Geneva, and Yorkville, Illinois. The Fox River Trail which runs for miles along the Fox River is part of the Trails for Rails system of bike trails http://www.trailsfromrails.com. The Friends of the Fox River website is located at http://www.friendsofthefoxriver.org/.

Man fishing along the Fox River at Voyageur Landing

 

Stop 2:  Pierce Lake, Rock Cut State Park, IL

Directions:  From I-90, exit Riverside Boulevard, follow signs.

 

Rock Cut State Park

7318 Harlem Road

Loves Park, IL 61111

Website: http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/PARKS/R1/ROCKCUT.HTM

 

Located in the northern region of Illinois, Rock Cut State Park is in Winnebego County. Nearby are other landmarks with the "rock" theme — the mighty Rock River and the place where wagons once forded it, the city of Rockford. The area consists of rolling plains and wonderful kayaking lakes.

There are two lakes in the park's 3,092 acres. Pierce Lake, with its 162 acres, is a great spot to kayak, canoe, fish, ice fish or ice skate. Pierce Lake was named for state Representative William Pierce of Rockford, Illinois, who served in the legislature from 1951-1966 and who proposed the first land acquisition for the park in 1955. The lake has two launching ramps available where only carry-on watercraft and electric motors are permitted to launch. A second 50-acre lake, Olson Lake is used mainly by swimmers. Rounding out the park's recreational activities are camping, hiking, horseback trails and cross-country skiing.

Rocky shoreline of Pierce Lake at Rock Cut State Park

 

I kayaked at Pierce Lake on a very crowded Sunday but I was still able to find large stretches of water all to myself.

Crowded launch area on a summer Sunday at Pierce Lake

 

I launched may kayak at the gentle sloping small beach area to the right of the concrete boat ramp. It is a perfect spot for kayak or canoe launching.

Grassy launch area of Pierce Lake

 

I managed to paddle down to a secluded area of the lake where I spotted a large beaver lodge and lots of interesting birds, including orioles and small yellow canaries. Other boaters on the lake included small paddleboats, fishing boats and canoes.

View of Pierce Lake from kayak

 

The parking lot is located next to the boat ramp and dock. There are changing facilities near the parking lot. There is also a concession stand for food and drinks.

After my paddle I struck up a conversation with a gentleman wearing a Canoe and Kayak magazine baseball cap who told me that Castle Rock State Park was a stop I must add to my trip. He said the Rock River was also a great river to kayak. Based on his recommendation and the other great kayaking I have done in the state of Illinois I will definitely make the Rock River a required kayak stop on the next trip. The Rock River meanders through massive wetlands and shallow lakes amidst the rich farmland and picturesque glacial terrain of Dodge, Jefferson and Rock Counties. The Rock River begins in the famous Horicon Marsh and flows through both Lakes Sinissippi and Koshkonong on its way to the Mississippi River. Access points at many road crossings and in Horicon, Watertown, Fort Atkinson, Janesville, and Beloit. The current is relaxing, but be prepared to portage several dams and an occasional fallen tree.