Directions: Independence Grove Forest Preserve, located just north of Buckley Road, roughly 1/2 mile east of Milwaukee Avenue, in Libertyvillle. Take-out at the Route 60 Canoe Launch, located just south of Route 60 (Townline Road), approximately 0.2 miles east of Milwaukee Avenue in Vernon Hills.
Notes: This trip passes forest preserves, parks, a golf course, and other open areas that make up the Des Plaines River Trail and Greenway. If you like to bike, this trip offers a nice land trail that loops you back to your vehicle: park your bike(s) at the take-out at Route 60 before starting from Independence Grove. Temporary boat storage at Route 60 canoe launch can be tricky, but not impossible—be prepared to secure your paddles and PFDs to your boat with a lock and cable.
Always check United States Geological Survey (USGS) water data before your trip.
2 thoughts on “Independence Grove to Route 60”
Great stretch of river! An easy relaxing paddle, no major obstacles. River is pretty deep in this stretch so you don’t have to worry too much about water levels even in late summer. Lots of birds and wildlife and most of the time you are in a wooded forest preserve type of area. Both Independence Grove and Route 60 launch have good amount of parking and Independence has large bathrooms at the picnic shelter. But BEWARE – it can be very hard to find the Rt. 60 launch as you approach from upstream. The launch site is not on the river, it is on a small pond adjacent to the river with a narrow little stream that connects the two. Once you pass under the pedestrian bridge, the pond is on your right heading downstream (opposite side of river as the trail). I posted some photos to the Google Maps review of the Rt. 60 launch. The little stream is easy to miss so keep your eyes peeled! Other than that this is a wonderful paddle and the river trail runs the whole length so you can also bike back to your car if desired. Happy Paddling!
Thanks for this helpful information!