Fox River Water Trails

The Fox River present a number of varied paddling experiences and demands different skill levels in each section.

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

The Fox River enters Illinois between Spring Grove and Antioch, in Lake County. Approximately three miles below the border, it opens into Grass, Nippersink, and Pistakee Lakes, in the Chain of Lakes area before becoming a banked river again. Through this area, the Fox Waterway Agency manages boat usage and in some areas, for safety and navigational purposes, confines the high speed, powered boat traffic to a series of channels in the middle of the lakes and river with more than 4, 000 buoys.

Approximately four miles downstream of the Chain O’Lakes the Fox flows over the McHenry Dam, the first of thirteen dams on the way to its confluence with the Illinois River, at Ottawa. Below the McHenry Dam there is moderate power boat activity which increases upon reaching Elgin. The dams on the middle section of the river restrict power boat traffic to pools above each dam. As the river enters Kendall County below Montgomery it becomes a large, quiet, and scenic river flowing mostly through farmland. The Fox River has numerous dams, all of which have developed or easy-to-develop portages around them.

Upper Fox—The Chain O’Lakes section below Chain O’Lakes State Park is actually shallow lake paddling. Winds can create challenging conditions for open boaters (canoes). Choppy waters, power boats traveling at high speeds in all directions and their wakes can sometimes make canoeing difficult if not dangerous.

The buoys of the Fox Waterway Agency on the upper Fox, below the lakes section, make it safer for non-motorized boaters to co-exist with the high speed power boaters by paddling along the banks outside of the buoy-defined channel. However, the nearly constant engine noise and wakes make this area a less attractive section for most paddlers.

Below McHenry Dam, stretches of the tree lined banks and less riverbank development make this section a pleasant and easier trip suitable for less experienced paddlers.

Middle Fox—Through Elgin, South Elgin, St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia, and Aurora, the river passes through highly urbanized areas and over several dams. Portaging around these dams varies in difficulty. The most difficult part of all the portages is determining from the boat which side of the dam would be the easier way around. Between the towns and dams the river passes through stretches of scenic forest preserves and wooded areas.

Click here to access a printable PDF version of this map.

Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced (see notes below)

Length: Approximately 12 miles

Directions: Oak Point is located in Chain 'O Lakes State Park, just south of Route 173, approximately 1.2 miles east of the Lake/McHenry county line. Weber Park is located on the east side of Riverside Drive, just south of Broad Street, in McHenry. There are at least three landings with picnic areas and/or restaurants on this route.

Notes: This trip is not recommended for families and beginners because of concentrated motor boat traffic, boat wakes, noise, and large open waters in Chain O'Lakes State Park. The Fox Waterway Agency charges a usage fee, and other fees may be required at private landings. Fox River Waterway Agency is responsible for maintenance and navigational improvements for motorized and non-motorized use in this section of the water trail.

Click here to access a printable PDF version of this map.

Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced (see notes below)

Length: Approximately 10 miles

Directions: Weber Park, owned by the McHenry Parks and Recreation Department, is located on the east side of Riverside Drive, just south of Broad Street, in McHenry. Fox River Forest Preserve, owned by the Lake County Forest Preserve District, is located just south of Roberts Road, approximately 2 miles west of Route 59, in Lake Barrington.

Notes: This trip is not recommended for beginners and families because of concentrated motor boat traffic, boat wakes, and noise in a relatively narrow, shallow, and sometimes turbulent part of the river. Along this stretch, there are at least seven landings or access areas with picnic facilities, camping, and nearby hotels and restaurants. There is one portage at McHenry (Stratton) Lock and Dam. Fees may be required at private landings. The Fox Waterway Agency is responsible for maintenance and navigational improvements for motorized and non-motorized use in this section of the water trail.

Always check United States Geological Survey (USGS) water data before your trip.

Click here to access a printable PDF version of this map.

Skill level: Intermediate

Length: Approximately 9.1 miles

Directions: Fox River Forest Preserve, owned by the Lake County Forest Preserve District, is located just south of Roberts Road, approximately 2 miles west of Route 59, in Lake Barrington. Riverfront Park, owned by the Village of Algonquin, is located just east of the intersection of Harrison and Edward Streets, in Algonquin.

Notes: Families and beginners are urged to use caution on this trip because of motor boat traffic. An alternate take-out can be found at Buffalo Park Forest Preserve, located at river mile 82, just east of Route 31, at the end of South Street, in Algonquin—this requires a difficult portage on the left, at Chicago Street, in Algonquin. This trip has at least four access areas, including a landing and picnic area in Fox River Grove; a camping area; and nearby hotels and restaurants in Algonquin. Fees may be required at private landings. The Fox Waterway Agency is responsible for maintenance and navigational improvements for motorized and non-motorized use in this section of the water trail.

Always check United States Geological Survey (USGS) water data before your trip.

Click here to access a printable PDF version of this map.

Skill level: Beginner to Intermediate

Length: Approximately 7 miles

Directions: Buffalo Park Forest Preserve, owned by the Forest Preserve District of Kane County,  is located just east of Route 31, at the end of South Street, in Algonquin. Voyageur's Landing Forest Preserve, also owned by the Forest Preserve District of Kane County, is located one mile east of Route 31, just north of I-90, at the east end of Airport Road, in Elgin.

Notes: There are at least four landings or access areas with picnic facilities, camping, and nearby hotels and restaurants in Algonquin, Carpentersville, West Dundee, East Dundee, and Elgin. This scenic trip also provides good wildlife viewing in several areas. The portage at Carpentersville Dam is a good place to rest and enjoy exhibits detailing the history of the Fox River. Just downstream of the dam, the water is often shallow and turbulent—stay to the left of the island to avoid some unforeseen obstacles. Elgin’s Trout Park has a canoe launch for people with disabilities. There is an alternative take-out, located a short distance downstream on the opposite (east) side of the river, across from Voyageurs Landing. Both of these sites are within view of I-90. The Forest Preserve District of Kane County is largely responsible for maintenance of this stretch of the water trail.

Always check United States Geological Survey (USGS) water data before your trip.

Click here to access a printable PDF version of this map.

Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced

Length: Approximately 8 miles
 
Directions: Voyageur's Landing Forest Preserve, owned by the Forest Preserve District of Kane County, is located one mile east of Route 31, just north of I-90, at the east end of Airport Road, in Elgin. Blackhawk Forest Preserve, also owned by the Forest Preserve District of Kane County, is located just south of Route 31, approximately 0.7 miles east of McLean Boulevard, in South Elgin.

Notes: This trip is currently not recommended for beginners and families below the Slade Avenue take-out, at river mile 74, because of obstacles at Kimball Street Dam and South Elgin Dam. For expert paddlers, there are unimproved portages around the dams, on river left and river right, respectively. The Elgin Parks and Recreation Department and the Illiniois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) have plans for improvements in the future. Downstream of the dams, the river is often shallow and turbulent.

Between the two access sites, there are at least four landings or access areas with picnic facilities, nearby hotels and restaurants, and the Grand Victoria Casino. Elgin’s Trout Park has a canoe launch for people with disabilities. There is an alternative take-out, located a short distance downstream on the opposite (east) side of the river, across from Voyageurs Landing. 

The Forest Preserve District of Kane County and the Elgin Parks and Recreation Department are generally responsible for maintenance of this segment of the water trail.

Always check United States Geological Survey (USGS) water data before your trip.

Click here to access a printable PDF version of this map.

Skill Level: Intermediate or Beginner (with an experienced guide)

Length: Approximately 10 miles

Directions: Blackhawk Forest Preserve, owned by the Forest Preserve District of Kane County, is located just south of Route 31, approximately 0.7 miles east of McLean Boulevard, in South Elgin. Fabyan Forest Preserve, also owned by the Forest Preserve District of Kane County, is located just east of Route 31 and just north of Fabyan Parkway, in Geneva.

Notes: This trip has a difficult portage at St. Charles Dam, on the left side, and an easier one at Geneva Dam, also on the left. The river is often very shallow for several hundred feet downstream of the dams. WARNING: In midsummer, the water levels just below the Geneva Dam are very shallow, making the put-in difficult.

The first leg of this trip, from Blackhawk Forest Preserve to Ferson Creek Park, is ideal for larger group trips and use by commercial outfitters. The trip starts with a moderately strong current but eventually opens up into a wide, quiet-water impoundment created by the dam in St. Charles. There is a dramatic view of the river valley, just after the trail turns south, about a mile into the trip. Heavy south winds and bright sun can be a challenge on this stretch, but these can generally be avoided by hugging the shoreline.

Ferson Creek flows into the river, on the right side, about four miles into the trip. Paddlers can turn right and paddle up the creek to the first set of riffles before returning to the river. In 2002, the Geneva Park District completed reconstruction of the short portage around the dam at Old Mill Park, on the left (east) side of the river, adding a fishing station and a gazebo. Watch out for cyclists on the busy bike path that runs along the portage. 

Between the two access sites, there are at least ten landings or access areas with picnic facilities, hiking and biking trails, ball fields, nearby hotels and restaurants, and other amenities in St. Charles and Geneva.

Always check United States Geological Survey (USGS) water data before your trip.

Skill level: Intermediate or Beginner (with an experienced guide)

Length: Approximately 7.1 miles
 
Directions: Fabyan Forest Preserve, also owned by the Forest Preserve District of Kane County, is located just east of Route 31 and just north of Fabyan Parkway, in Geneva. The Illinois Avenue boat launch, owned by the Fox Valley Park District, is located in Illinois Avenue Island Park, in Aurora.

Notes: This trip has twenty-seven islands to explore and three moderately difficult portages. To improve recreational paddling and restore this stretch of the river to better health, the two dams in Batavia are destined to be significantly modified and/or removed.  A continuous bike path follows along the water trail, passing through properties of the Forest Preserve District of Kane County, Batavia, and the Fox Valley Park District.

Between the two access sites, there are at least eleven landings or access areas with picnic facilities, hiking and biking trails, ball fields, a riverwalk, nearby hotels and restaurants, in Batavia, North Aurora, and Aurora.

Always check United States Geological Survey (USGS) water data before your trip.

Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced

Length: Approximately 9 miles

Directions: The Illinois Avenue boat launch, owned by the Fox Valley Park District, is located in Illinois Avenue Island Park, in Aurora. Saw Wee Kee Park is located on Sundown Lane, about 1 mile west of the Orchard Road bridge, roughly 2 miles west of Oswego.

Notes: A unique feature of this stretch is a canoe chute designed to allow safe paddling around the New York Street Dam. The chute opened in 1993 but was badly damaged during floods in 1996 and 1997. The chute reopened in late 1999, after nearly $500,000 in repairs. These costs were shared by the City of Aurora, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the Forest Preserve District of Kane County. The water trail passes through properties of the Fox Valley Park District, Aurora, Montgomery, and Oswegoland Park District.

Between the two access sites, there are at least six landings or access areas with picnic facilities, playgrounds, nearby hotels and restaurants, and a riverboat casino, in Aurora.

Always check United States Geological Survey (USGS) water data before your trip.

Skill level: Beginner

Length: Approximately 5 miles

Directions: The Yorkville canoe launch, in Bicentennial Riverfront Park, is located on the Fox River, on Hydraulic Street, in Yorkville, east of Route 47. Silver Springs State Park can be accessed by traveling from Yorkville on Route 47, turning west on Fox Road (south)—the park entrance will be visible in about five miles.

Notes: This is a great trip for beginners and families with children. Youth groups can spend the night at Silver Springs State Park (contact the park for information).  A shallower stretch of the Fox River, with several islands to paddle around and explore, this is also a good trip for bird watching.  Freeman’s Sports rents canoes and kayaks and offers transportation between Yorkville and Silver Springs State Park.  

Always check United States Geological Survey (USGS) water data before your trip.

Skill level: Beginner

Length: Approximately 2 miles

Directions: Silver Springs State Park can be accessed by traveling from Yorkville on Route 47, turning west on Fox Road (south)—the park entrance will be visible in about five miles. Access Shuh Shuh Gah canoe launch by taking Route 34 to Plano and turning south on Ben Street.  Before reaching the Fox River, turn west onto Millhurst Road and take it to Whitfield Road.  Turn south on Whitfield Road and follow it to the intersection with Rogers Road. Turn east at this intersection (toward the river). 

Notes: This is a great trip for beginners and families with children. Youth groups can spend the night at Silver Springs State Park (contact the park for information).  A shallower stretch of the Fox River, this is also a good trip for bird watching.  Freeman’s Sports rents canoes and kayaks and offers transportation between Yorkville and Silver Springs State Park. Combine this trip with the Yorkville to Silver Springs State Park water trail for a longer journey.

Always check United States Geological Survey (USGS) water data before your trip.

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