Directions: The designated kayak launch at 63rd Street Beach is the south end of the beach. Parking is in the small lot on the east side of Lake Shore Drive, directly south of the beach house, or in the lots directly across of Lake Shore Drive on either side of Hayes Drive.
To access the Jackson Park Inner Harbor Boat Ramp enter the parking lot on the south side of Hayes Drive, just west of Lake Shore Drive. The ramp is in the southwest corner of the lot. To enter the lake, paddle south through the Inner Harbor, under the Lake Shore Drive Bridge, and then north through the Outer Harbor to the harbor entrance.
You can take-out (or take a break) at Rainbow Beach. Enter Rainbow Beach from East 77th Street and drive east to the easternmost parking lot. The designated kayak beach is the east end of the beach (during the swimming season).
The Calumet Park Boat Ramp is accessible from East 95th Street and East Foreman Drive. Parking is free in the large lots near the boat ramp. A small sand beach next to the concrete ramps offers a softer launching and landing spot.
Notes: For information on paddling Lake Michigan safely, see the Safety Center on the Chicago Area Sea Kayaking Association’s website at www.caska.org.
