Chicago River Water Trails

Flowing through one of the most densely populated areas on earth, the Chicago River provides a variety of recreational opportunities—from the quiet beauty of the North Branch to the wide urban canyons of the Main Branch to the historic South Branch.

Descriptions of paddling trips on the Chicago River and detailed trip maps can be accessed from the list at the very bottom of this page.

The Chicago River is a long, diverse waterway that begins in Lake County. It includes the Skokie River, Skokie Lagoons, the West and Middle Forks of the North Branch, the North Shore Channel, the North Branch, the North Branch Canal (the east channel around Goose Island), the Main Branch in the downtown area of the city, the South Branch, the South Fork of the South Branch (Bubbly Creek), and the Sanitary and Ship Canal leading to the National Historic Site of the Chicago portage area around 47th and Harlem, southwest of the city. Its location between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River watersheds is one reason why Chicago became the second largest non-coastal city in North America.

Skokie Lagoons—Converted by the Civilian Conservation Corps into a series of hand-dug lagoons in the 1930’s, this large wetland area near Wilmette and Glencoe offers nearly seven miles of waterways, which provide a unique refuge for deer, waterfowl, and non-motorized boating. The Chicago River Water Trail begins at a boat ramp just south of Tower Road.

North Branch—Beginning at the Willow Road Dam that creates the Skokie Lagoons, the Skokie or East Fork of the North Branch flows south and east toward the city. Almost entirely protected by Cook County forest preserves, it provides a safe and quiet opportunity to enjoy nature in an otherwise highly developed suburban and urban area.

At River Park on the city’s north side a small dam creates a “waterfall” at the confluence of the North Branch and the North Shore Channel. It also marks the place where the North Branch becomes navigable for power boats. The North Branch becomes a wide, highly engineered river flowing southeast through the neighborhoods of the city toward the downtown area. The stretch of water trail between the Chicago Park District's canoe launch at River Park and their launch at Clark Park, approximately two miles downstream, is a very popular stretch of trail, especially for beginners.

North Shore Channel—The North Shore Channel is a manmade waterway that extends northward from the River Park “waterfall” just south of Foster Avenue to the Wilmette Locks at Lake Michigan near the Bahai Temple. This straight canal with a slow current and few power boats is ideal for race practice, newer paddlers, and rowing shells. The Skokie Park District has created a boat access in a park on Oakton Street and the City of Chicago has created access at Lincoln Village. An old canoe landing at Bridge Street in the Evanston Park District’s Ladd Arboretum could be rehabilitated to provide adequate access to the entire channel. Paddlers should be aware that approximately two miles south of the Oakton Street access, the Devon aeration station presents a hazard.  When operating, three blowers force air into injectors on both sides of the channel.  Do not paddle in the aerated water.  It reduces the buoyancy of both boats and people and the currents can result in conditions equal to Class 3 whitewater.  Paddlers are advised to turn around and head back the way they came before reaching this station.  

Main Branch—Some of the tallest buildings in the world line the river in the downtown area. They create canyons of monumental proportions when seen from the water. History, architecture, industry, commerce, civil engineering, and hundreds of thousands of people come together to create an unparalleled paddling experience. The Chicago Park District has plans for a boat rest stop opposite the mouth of the river at the Chicago Locks. It will be called DuSable Park (after the first non-native settler of this area) and will serve as a link between the Chicago River water trail and the Lake Michigan water trail. Commercial and power boat traffic make this stretch of the river a place for more experienced paddlers.

South Branch—The river continues south from the downtown area to near Cermak Road where it turns southwest to its confluence with Bubbly Creek. Here, the site of the terminus of the Illinois and Michigan Canal will be memorialized by the planned “Origins Park.” From this point downstream, concrete and steel bulkhead walls line much of the riverbank and, along with increased industrial barge and power boat traffic, make this stretch of the river a place for more experienced paddlers.  The Chicago Park District has recently completed an access at S. Western Avenue and has plans for two more access points, one at 28th and Eleanor, near the confluence with Bubbly Creek and one at Ping Tom Park.  Lawrence Fisheries, a restaurant on S. Canal Street, also offers their dock for use for water trail access.

When paddling the Chicago River, keep in mind that although water quality has improved over the last several decades there are still bacteria and other pollution in these rivers.  Remember to wash your hands before eating or touching anything that will go in your mouth and to keep open wounds clean and dry.

Click here for a printable PDF version of this map

Skill level: beginner to intermediate depending on water level & deadfall

Length: 4.4 miles

Directions: Enter Linne Woods Forest Preserve on the north side of Dempster Rd. (Rt. 58) 0.2 miles east of Lehigh Ave. in Morton Grove.  Park near the shelter on the west side of the parking lot.  The put-in is by the outfall behind the shelter.

Just downstream of the Howard St. Bridge is a small sheet piling dam.  Portage on the right when the dam is visible.

The North Branch is thickly forested through the next few miles of industrial & residential areas before entering Bunker Hill Forest Preserve. 

The take-out is on river left either upstream or downstream of the first footbridge.

Click here for a printable PDF version of this map

Skill level: beginner to intermediate depending on water level & deadfall

Length: 6.55 miles

Directions: Enter Bunker Hill Forest Preserve on the west side of Caldwell Ave. (Rt. 14) at Tonty St. in Chicago.  Make the first left turn into the south parking lot and go to the end of the lot.  Follow the path at the south end of the turnaround to the footbridge over the North Branch.  Put-in on either side of the footbridge.

The take-out is on river right just upstream of the control dam that marks the end of the natural section of the North Branch in River Park.  A longer trip can be had by portaging around the dam and continuing 2.28 miles downstream to the Clark Park Canoe Launch.

Note: The first section of this trip passes through the 1,600 acres granted to Billy Caldwell (also known as the “Sauganash”).  Caldwell was one of the three Pottawatomi signers of the 1830 Treaty of Chicago which removed all local Indian tribes to west of the Mississippi River.

Click here for a printable PDF version of this map

Skill level: Beginner

Length: 3.37 miles

Directions: Clark Park is located on the west side of Rockwell St. (2600W.) ½ block south of Addison Street (3600N) in Chicago.  There is a small parking lot at the south end of the playing field.  Follow the path from the parking lot to the river and Canoe Launch.

Just past the Ashland Ave. Bridge, on both sides of the Webster Street Bridge, is the Webster Street Aeration Station. Use caution when approaching and passing through the Aeration Station.  Do not paddle in the aerated water.  Aerated water can affect the buoyancy of both boats and people passing through it (for example boats can float lower in the water).

Just past the North Ave. Bridge the river broadens into the North Ave. Turning Basin.  Turn left (east) and enter the North Branch Canal (the channel on the east side of Goose Island).  The Canal turns south and the Weed Street access is on river left.

The Weed Street access is at the west end of Weed Street just west of Kingsbury St. ½ block south of North Ave.

Note: Make sure you check the Weed Street Access before doing this trip if you intend to use Weed Street as a take out because depending on water levels it may not be accessible.

Click here for a printable PDF version of this map

Skill level: Intermediate

Length: 7.0 miles

Directions: The Weed Street access is located at the west end of Weed Street ½ block west of Kingsbury Street and ½ block south of North Ave.  Paddle south down the North Branch Canal on the east side of Goose Island or paddle north and out of the Canal into the North Branch in the North Ave. Turning Basin.  Then paddle south on the North Branch to the south end of Goose Island where the two waterways converge as the North Branch enters the downtown area.

At the confluence of the North Branch, South Branch and Mainstem, follow the South Branch through the downtown area.  Approximately 3 miles south of downtown is the South Fork of the South Branch, better known as “Bubbly Creek”.

The take-out is on river left just past the Western Ave. Bridge.

South Western Ave. south of the South Branch is joined by and paralleled on the west by South Western Boulevard. The Western Ave. Boat Ramp can be accessed by car by the frontage road that runs along the west side of South Western Boulevard.  The frontage road is labeled South Western Avenue, just as is the Avenue running east of South Western Boulevard. 

To get to the Boat Ramp from the Stevenson Expressway (I55), exit at Damen Ave.  Drive south on Damen to Archer and make a half right turn onto Archer.  Drive southwest on Archer about one block to 35th Street.  Turn half right onto 35th Street and drive west to South Western Boulevard.  Pass South Western Boulevard to the next intersection of South Western Avenue.  Turn right (north) onto South Western Avenue and drive nearly three blocks north to where South Western Ave. forks.  Stay to the left and take the frontage road (which is also South Western Ave.) north under the Stevenson Expressway (I55) to the end of the street just past the railroad underpass.  Turn left (west) into the Boat Ramp parking lot.
Note: This trip is rated for intermediate paddlers with good balance, boat control and bracing skills. It is not recommended for beginning paddlers due to the amount of commercial and industrial traffic in the downtown area. 

Alternate trip if the Weed Street access is not available for use:  An alternate trip of approximately 8.5 miles can be taken that covers much of the same territory by putting in at Clark Park and taking out at Lawrence Fisheries. 

Clark Park is located on the west side of Rockwell St. (2600W.) ½ block south of Addison Street (3600N) in Chicago.  There is a small parking lot at the south end of the playing field.  Follow the path from the parking lot to the river and Canoe Launch.

Lawrence Fisheries, a restaurant located at 2120 S Canal Street in Chicago, has made their dock available to the public for canoeing and kayaking. Take out at the dock on the southeast side of the river (river left when you are floating downstream) just downstream of the Canal Street Bridge.  

Click here for a printable PDF version of this map

Skill level: beginner to intermediate depending on water level & obstructions

Length: 2.54 miles

Directions: Put-in on the downstream side of the Skokie Lagoons Control Dam on the west side of Forest Preserve Drive just north of Willow Road in Winnetka.  Park on the west side of Forest Preserve Drive and follow the path to the dam.  Approximately ½ mile downstream is the Winnetka Road dam.  Portage on the right using the wood planks strapped to the dam abutment.  The river passes under the Edens Expressway and by the confluence of the Middle Fork of the North Branch before passing under East Lake Street in Glenview.  The take-out is on river left just past the bridge.

Enter Blue Star Memorial Woods Forest Preserve on the south side of Lake Ave. just east of the North Branch in Glenview.

Notes: This entire trip is through Cook County Forest Preserves and is paralleled by the North Shore Bike Path.  The combination of the watertrail and bike path makes this day trip an easy self-shuttle trip.

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