Walking along the Chicago Riverwalk, it’s obvious that summer kayaking has become very popular with residents and tourists. Dramatic improvements in water quality during the past several decades of conservation work make these excursions healthier and more pleasurable.After Memorial Day, several c ompanies rent boats on the slow-moving dredged section of the river, including Chicago River Canoe and Kayak, Wateriders, Urban Kayaks and Kayak Chicago. Paddlers can rent and launch at Clark Park, Ping Tom Park, Bubbly Creek near the Bridgeport Arts Center and several other locations.But for those who want to venture beyond Downtown, there are dozens of lakes, rivers and other water bodies to paddle within an hour or two drive. With the growing popularity of foldable and inflatable kayaks, paddlers can even transport their vessels by bus, train and rideshare.This WBEZ/Chicago Sun-Times list offers just a few of the most interesting and beautiful locations for still and moving water trips. Some may be more suited for beginners who need to rent, and others for more advanced paddlers who have their own equipment. Personal flotation devices (PFDs), water bottles and snacks are a must for all. How to take an organized tripSeveral groups offer lessons, kayak rentals and organized trips. The Prairie State Canoeists is a membership group that organizes paddler instruction and trips on local rivers like the DuPage and Des Plaines; Chicago River Canoe and Kayak rents at several locations including Busse Woods, Skokie Lagoons and Lake Tampier. Kayaks and canoes are $25-30 for the first hour, and $20 per hour after that.Friends of the Chicago River and Urban Rivers, both non-profit organizations, offer various boating programs throughout the year. This summer, Friends is holding a community paddle and cleanup on July 11 at Canal Origins Park; a moonlight paddle on Skokie Lagoons on July 25, and another community paddle on the south branch on Aug. 29 starting at Eleanor Street boathouse. Urban Rivers is sponsoring walk-up kayaking on Bubbly Creek on June 26 and July 10 from 3-7 p.m.Many forest preserve districts in Cook, Will and DuPage offer instructional paddling events and on-site boat rentals (check their websites for details). Cook County will provide equipment for beginner paddling on the Des Plaines River at 9 a.m. on June 28 at Schuth’s Grove (see full schedule). Will County programs a “Kayak Kollege” series for teens and adults; the first session is July 23.The DuPage forest preserves has rental locations at Blackwell and Herrick Lake. Flat water trips: Chicago regionFlat water excursions are recommended for beginners and families with young children because moving water presents additional hazards and requires more boating skill. Most of these locations are free for paddlers with their own boat, and some provide boat and equipment rentals.Busse LakeWhere: Ned Brown Preserve in Elk Grove VillageWhat to know: Explore the many pools and passageways of this 450-acre reservoir, created in 1978 by damming upper Salt Creek for recreation and flood control. Kayak rentals are available.Independence GroveWhere: Libertyville in Lake CountyWhat to know: Watercraft are rental only here, but the marina includes a generous supply of canoes, kayaks and pedal boats at decent prices. The large multi-use preserve has excellent facilities, and includes a cafe and an après paddle beer garden. Paddlers with their own boats can also get on the Des Plaines River from here.McKinley WoodsWhere: Near Channahon in Will County, about an hour southwest of Chicago and a little past Joliet.What to know: The city of Channahon is at the center of both flat and moving water, and McKinley Woods is a fantastic place to hit several waterways. At Frederick's Grove there are canoe/kayak launches on the Des Plaines River and the historic IM Canal.The Kerry Sheridan Grove launches into the DuPage River, and also features the excellent Four Rivers Environmental Education Center where adults and children can learn more about the multiple converging waterways. Flat water excursions are recommended for beginners because moving water presents additional hazards and requires more boating skill. Here, canoers paddle in Busse Woods.Pat Nabong/Sun-Times Powderhorn Lake Where: Southeast side of Chicago, off Interstate 90What to know: Powderhorn is a small 48-acre pocket lake in a wildlife refuge, the only state-dedicated nature preserve within Chicago city limits. It is home to 250 plant species, including prickly pear cactus, nodding wild onion and Indian hemp. Includes a boat ramp.Saganashkee SloughWhere: Willow Springs, southwestWhat to know: At over 300 acres, this is one of the largest remote water bodies in Cook County. Located on the edge of a glacial feature known as Mount Forest Island, where melting ice burst through and drained Lake Chicago, this shallow marsh is nestled within extensive forest preserves north and south, and near the winding Palos Trails. Bring your own boat; rentals available for nearby Maple Lake and Lake Tampier.Skokie LagoonsWhere: Adjacent to Northbrook, stretching along I-90 south from the Chicago Botanic Garden to Willow RoadWhat to know: Seven lagoons connected by channels cover 242 acres snaking around islands and through an abundant wetlands landscape. A Civilian Conservation Corps initiative to put thousands of men to work after the Great Depression between 1933-41 became the largest public works project in the nation. It’s not in Skokie; the name is derived from the Potawatomi “che-wabskoki.” Kayak rentals available.Whalon LakeWhere: BolingbrookWhat to know: A former limestone quarry in Will County is a deep, 80-acre circular lake stocked with fish, with nearby access to the East Branch DuPage River and bike trails. Personal boats are allowed at this public forest preserve site, and rentals are available from The Forge. More rentals can be found in Will County at nearby Lake Chaminwood and Monee Reservoir.Wolf LakeWhere: East of the Hegewisch neighborhood in the Calumet regionWhat to know: This 400-acre shallow lake is sliced by Interstate 90 and the Indiana state line and features plentiful birds and wildlife. Wolf Lake was formed when the glacial Lake Chicago receded and left our current Lake Michigan. It’s part of the Calumet Heritage Area, where ice was cut to keep meat from Chicago’s stockyards cool. Bring your own boat. Moving waters like the DuPage River, pictured here, require moderate skill to maneuver past river obstacles, portage around a downed tree or ride through the occasional fast-moving small riffle or rapid.Pat Nabong/Sun-Times Moving water trips: Chicago regionMoving water trips are more exciting and unpredictable, with adventure around every bend in the river. Some, like the Little Calumet, are fairly basic, while others, like the narrow west branch of the DuPage, require moderate skill to maneuver past river obstacles, portage around a downed tree or ride through the occasional fast-moving small riffle or rapid. They also require extra time and preparation, including a “shuttle” to get back to your starting point.Des Plaines RiverWhere: Flows through the western half of Cook CountyWhat to know: This medium-sized river runs from the Wisconsin border through forest preserves, motorboat- and dam-free, until it merges with the Sanitary and Ship Canal near Lockport where it widens and deepens for commercial traffic. The upper portion in Lake County is more wild but also has less water, and more logjams, at times. See the many launch locations, distances and details at the Openlands website.DuPage RiverWhere: Mostly in the western suburbs, with multiple access pointsWhat to know: The DuPage and its two main tributaries are the most bucolic local waterways, running 63 miles north to south. In the spring, the short four-mile trip on the west branch of the DuPage, from Mack Road in Warrenville to McDowell Grove in Naperville, is delightful, especially after a soaking rain.Naperville Kayak launches renters beginning at Knoch Knolls park. Another fun trip starting at Wil-O-Way Commons Park in Naperville takes paddlers through the fast and riffly Riverwalk; about 75 cubic feet per second on the USGS gauge is needed to get through, and 100 cfs is ideal (this route avoids a difficult Fawell Dam portage downstream of McDowell Grove). For $30 per person, Plainfield River Tubing provides inner tubes, gear and transportation for a relaxing 2-3 hour float on the southern section of the DuPage main stem. The DuPage and its two main tributaries are the most bucolic local waterways, running 63 miles north to south. Here, a great blue heron perches over the west branch of the DuPage River.Pat Nabong/Sun-Times Little Calumet RiverWhere: In southern Cook near RiverdaleWhat to know: A paddle in this small, calm stream from Gouwens Park in South Holland to the Little Calumet Boat Launch in Blue Island is seven miles; get out after five miles at Kickapoo Woods. A trip on the deeper dredged section of the Calumet River begins at the newly refurbished dock at Beaubien Woods near the historic Altgeld Gardens housing development.Salt CreekWhere: Drive west 45 minutes toward WestchesterWhat to know: Salt Creek winds through Cook County forest preserves. A good start is a six-mile trip from Bemis Woods to a nice improved landing at Brookfield Village Hall; it’s another mile to Plank Road where the creek empties into the Des Plaines. More experienced paddlers can continue another two miles on the Des Plaines to Stony Ford landing, which will take you through a mild Class 1 stretch of waves in Riverside where the old Hofmann Dam once stood. Find details at Openlands.Moving water trips: Northern IllinoisLooking to venture a little further? Northern Illinois offers some beautiful rivers and creeks in natural settings. Details for most rivers can be found at the Openlands website.Kishwaukee RiverWhere: Head northwest to BelvidereWhat to know: The medium-sized “Kish” is one of the most scenic and pleasant rivers in Illinois, well-tended by its many local devotees. A six-mile family friendly trip is Espenscheid Memorial Forest Preserve to Atwood Park.Rocktown Adventures in Rockford is a respected resource for lessons and gear, and provides rentals for the Kishwaukee and the Rock, which is right on site.Fox River, Rock River and Kankakee RiverWhere: The Fox at Yorkville is about one hour drive from Chicago; the Rock is further west another hour to Castle Rock State Park near Oregon. And the Kankakee River ends where it flows into the Des Plaines near Channahon, forming the Illinois River.What to know: The three rivers are on the larger side and usually have enough water to paddle year around. The Fox and Rock have a “dells” section with deep canyons and high sandstone cliffs. Groups that offer lessons and rentals on the Fox are Howling Wolfe in Aurora, and The Yak Shack in Yorkville, where there is also a short Class 1-2 whitewater course.Nippersink CreekWhere: Drive north toward McHenry CountyWhat to know: This is a narrow, curving creek that cuts through the nature-rich Glacial Park Conservation Area and the Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge. The water quality is very high, in part a result of the county’s stream restoration project to re-meander a straightened agricultural ditch. The most popular trip is seven miles from Keystone Landing to Pioneer Landing. ...read more read less