The Event

The Northeastern Illinois Water Trails “Paddle-A-Trail” (PAT) Month will take place this year during the entire month of June. Join area paddlers in the grand tradition of Louis and Clark in this “Water Trail Corps of Discovery” by choosing a stretch of a Northeastern Illinois Water Trail to paddle. Record information on your "Journey of Discovery" on a downloadable "WaterLog Report Form" while exploring your chosen stretch of watertrail. Once you've returned from your journey, report the vital information you've recorded to the on-line "Water Log" about the details and the quality of the trip.

Formerly known as the “Water Trail Blitz”, this unique event began in June 2005. Paddlers from all over the northeastern Illinois region have participated in this inventory of watertrails over the last few years to create the very first paddler-written on-line paddling guide to our region's waterways. Canoers and kayakers have explored local streams and rivers and reported their experiences seeing abundant wildlife, portaging log jams and discovering surprising natural beauty.

Read Paddle-A-Trail reports from past years here.

The WaterLog

Paddlers are invited to paddle their favorite stretch of river or explore a new watertrail and report their results to the “Water Log” on Openlands website anytime during June. Paddle-A-Trail participants can download and print a “WaterLog” form to help record their trip as they paddle. The easy to fill out form captures essential information such as the stretch paddled, the put-in and take-out data, trail conditions and points of interest along the stretch or nearby. Most of the form is completed by checking your choice of checkboxes but it also allows for brief written descriptions. The paddler written and compiled WaterLog Reports create a dynamic and current “living canoe guide” to the region's watertrails.

The Places for Paddlers webpage provides suggested day trips including the difficulty and length of each. Participants who do not have their own canoe or kayak can find information about liveries that rent and provide shuttle service here or can join one of the public guided trips described below.

Be a paddling guide author!

Participate in Paddle-A-Trail Month this June and help Openlands, the IPC and the Northeastern Illinois Regional Watertrail Council create a current, complete, paddler-written, paddling guide for local watertrails.

Public Paddle-A-Trail Month Recommended Trips

Recommended Paddle-A-Trail Month easy, shorter and beginner trips

Recommended Paddle-A-Trail Month trips for experienced paddlers

See a list of places to rent a canoe or kayak

Public Paddle-A-Trail Month Events

For those who would rather join a guided PAT trip, a variety of public Paddle-A-Trail Month events are
available on watertrails throughout the region.

NORTH - Skokie Lagoons

The Chicago Kayak Club will conduct an "Introduction to Sea Kayaking Class"
DATE: Saturday, June 7th from 10am -1:30pm
LOCATION: The Tower Road Boat Launch (east side of the Edens (I94) south side of Tower Road

This is a 4 hour class for beginners or those who would like a refresher!   This is an easy, fun class and a great way to get acquainted with kayaking in a beautiful wildlife area 30 minutes north of Chicago. You will learn the basic skills to have fun and be safe!  Kayaks, PFD's, paddles are included in the price of class.
100% of the proceeds go to Openlands to support watertrails!
Sign up at www.chicagokayak.com/Schedule and show your support.

CENTRAL - Chicago River

Kayak Chicago's Architectural History Tour
DATE: Sat. June 21st 10am-1pm
LOCATION: Meet at our North Ave. location at 1501 N. Magnolia Ave. in Chicago

We will begin our tour with paddle stroke instruction and basic safety, then hop in our kayaks to paddle through the industrial past and into the Architectural Canyons of the Chicago River.  As we paddle, we will rest at historical sites to hear the rivers history and architectural wonders.
No experience needed, but we will paddle about 6 miles.
Cost:  $50/person
50% of proceeds will be donated to Openlands to support Water Trails!
Register on-line at www.kayakchicago.com or call (630) 336-7245

WEST - Salt Creek

REI in Schaumburg is offering a guided trip and clean-up on Salt Creek
DATE: Satuday, June 7th.
LOCATION: Busse Forest Main Dam (enter on west side of Arlington Heights Road at Edgeware Rd. in Elk Grove Village)

Join REI in paddling this quiet stretch with wooded banks that provide solitude, beauty and abundant wildlife viewing. Instruction will be provided before the trip.

• Join REI employees and customers as we use our rental fleet of kayaks for good on National Trails Day!
• This project will begin at 10am and last until 1pm
• All participants will have the opportunity to paddle down the Salt Creek begining in Busse Woods to collect garbage in the water and along shoreline.
• Everyone who participates will receive a free "REI Volunteer" shirt, and snacks will be provided.
• The trip will be about 4.5 miles long from the Busse Lake Dam to the Wooddale/Itasca Reservoir.

Registration is required. Read the details for REI's Paddle-A-Trail event here

SOUTHWEST - Fox River

The Kendall County Forest Preserve District is offering our annual Fox River Getaway as a Paddle-A-Trail Month public event. This is your chance to get on the river and enjoy it from a new perspective!
DATE: June 21, from 9am-3pm
LOCATION: Start at Freeman's Sports in Yorkville and end in Millington.

This June, see the beauty of the far southwestern reaches of the Chicagoland area on the Fox River and recount your experience for fellow paddlers by logging on to the WaterLog. Fill out the Waterlog form and be a paddling guide author by contributing information about the Lower Fox River and other local water trails.

The cost of the trip is $45.00 which includes canoes and lunch.. Contact Jason at 630-553-4131 to register.

SOUTH - Little Calumet River

Chicago River Canoe & Kayak will rent canoes and kayaks and lead a guided trip on the Little Calumet River
DATE: Sunday, June 22, 2008
LOCATION: Gouwens Park in South Holland

Little Calumet River day trips This trip explores an surprisingly beautiful but little paddled portion of this watertrail.

Sunday, June 22 - 10:00 launch

• Bald eagles have been observed attempting to nest along the Little Calumet in recent years, the closest to Chicago that a nest has been seen in a century.
• We'll put in at Gouwens Park in South Holland and paddle to Fays Point in Blue Island
• The trip is about 6 miles, or 2 hours.
• $40/ person in a canoe or tandem kayak, $50/ person in a single kayak

More at Trips to Area Rivers at Chicago River Canoe & Kayak

PADDLE-A-TRAIL MONTH EVENT SPONSORS

Openlands is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the natural and open spaces of Northeastern Illinois and the surrounding region to ensure cleaner air and water, to protect natural habitats and wildlife, and to help balance and enrich our lives. Founded in 1963, Openlands is one of the nation's oldest and most successful metropolitan conservation organizations, having helped secure and protect more than 45,000 acres of land for public parks, forest preserves, land and water greenway corridors and urban gardens.

The Illinois Paddling Council has represented the interests of Illinois paddlers since 1963. The Illinois Paddling Council strives to:

• Improve access to Illinois waterways.
• Advocate for the conservation and restoration of Illinois rivers and lakes.
• Provide information about paddlesport to paddlers and the general public.
• Promote paddling safety and education.
• Promote paddling competition and sanction races in Illinois.
• Recognize excellence in paddlesport by presenting a "Illinois Paddler of the Year" and Racing awards.

The Northeastern Illinois Regional Water Trails Council is a coalition of Park, Forest Preserve and Conservation Districts, County and regional planning agencies, paddlesport businesses, paddling clubs and paddlers, Openlands and the Illinois Paddling Council. The Northeastern Illinois Regional Water Trails Council works to implement the recommendations of the Northeastern Illinois Regional Water Trails Plan and promotes the development, use and stewardship of the regional system.

Download the WaterLog report form or file a trip report.