Your Gateway to the Best Outdoor Adventures in the Chicago Area

A Perfect Chicago Getaway If you’re based in Chicago or visiting the Windy City, Kayaking chicago is a convenient escape from the hustle and bustle. Located within driving distance, it offers a perfect weekend getaway to reconnect with nature, relax, and rejuvenate. It’s the ultimate opportunity to escape the concrete jungle and immerse yourself in the beauty of the great outdoors. Mesmerizing Scenery At Kayak Starved Rock, you’ll find yourself surrounded by some of the most awe-inspiring natural landscapes the Midwest has to offer.
It's more than just kayaking; it's an instructional and immersive experience that leaves you with enduring memories. Rock Cut State Park is an hour and a half west of Chicago and is full of natural features dating back to the last Ice Age. Although it’s a bit of a trek from downtown Chicago, it’s worth checking out and setting aside a larger starved rock camping chunk of time to see everything the multiple sections of this area have to offer. In general, wider kayaks are more stable and can support more capacity, which is often advantageous when fishing. However, width is far from the only factor that affects stability. Hull design can have a big effect, so test a fishing kayak before buying.

The Sea Eagle FishSUP‘s’ removable transom gives you the ability to operate it with an electric motor. ThePelican Catch Classic 100features a tunnel hull for amazing stability, making iteasy to stand in while casting. Well-planned-out accessories help keep everything conveniently stowed, yet it’s light enough for most people to carry and launch on their own.
In Chicago, kayaking offers a unique perspective that allows you to truly appreciate the architectural wonders and natural beauty this vibrant city has to offer. Reserved site 138, somehow reservation did not work so I had to choose another site when I arrived . Only after I had unpacked the gear and was setting up my tent did I notice that there was poison ivy growing...well everywhere.

The Au Sable River is also home to a variety of fish species, making it a great spot for kayak fishing. The river’s moderate flow and gentle rapids make it an ideal place for kayaking beginners and experienced paddlers alike. Located just 10 minutes from the park, Pleasant Creek Campground is a newer campground, nestled along a tributary of the Vermillion River in a wooded setting.
Big Foot Beach State ParkExploring the hiking trails especially the Geneva Lake Shore Trail which is a big attraction in the area. Nestled along the Illinois River, Starved Rock stands as a fascinating destination for nature fanatics and outside adventurers. Its impressive scenery, rich landscapes, and calm waterways make it an ideal area for camping and discovering the appeal of Illinois. With a reinforced steel tongue, the MicroSport holds up to 4 kayaks at a time (up to 20′ long) and has an 800 lb capacity. This robust trailer is an excellent option for loading and transporting many different types of kayaks. The Malone MicroSport Sports Kayak Trailer is one of the best kayak trailers on the market because it’s easy to assemble, transport, and store.
As darkness falls and lights illuminate the cityscape, being in a kayak allows you to navigate through shimmering reflections on Lake Michigan or along picturesque rivers like the Chicago River. The city comes alive in an enchanting way that can only be truly appreciated from this vantage point. Starved Rock State Park is a world apart from anything else in Illinois!

A flood from a melting glacier, known as the Kankakee Torrent, which took place approximately 14,000–19,000 years ago led to the topography of the site and its exposed rock canyons. Diverse forest plant life exists in the park and the area supports several wild animal species. If you want to experience Chicago architecture from a kayak, it can be a good idea to book a guided tour. But you will need to register your boat if you add a trolling motor. The area is filled with wildlife and a rich abundance of trees, including red and white oak, cedar, hickory, and maple.
When camping in Illinois, it is important to remember to follow all park rules and regulations. This includes properly disposing of trash, respecting wildlife, and not damaging natural resources. By following these rules, you can help preserve the natural beauty of Illinois for future generations. Ground-based options include Cedar PointCedar Creek Ranch, where a fleet of horses leads riders on an unforgettable stroll through nature trails traversing 60 acres of forests. The outpost also offers Goat Yoga—because what could be cuter than an army of goats dawdling around while you perfect your sun salutations? According to lore, this particular yoga practice has positive effects on your glutes, as well as your mood.

Having to end your trip early due to that pain in your back isn’t. More than 85% of the population experience lower back pain at some point in their lives. Those that choose to lead a more active lifestyle experience an even higher incidence. This can be accomplished by understanding more about our bodies and how they react to our everyday living. By learning a few simple tricks we can do on a regular basis to help counteract those negative forces, we can then begin to feel better and enjoy our outings on the water more completely. There’s no shortage of things to do at this expansive national park.
Roosevelt's New Deal legislation in the 1930s called for the creation of the Civilian Conservation Corps to provide jobs for young men. The focus of this group was to preserve natural areas in the rural United States. CCC Camp 614 was deployed to Starved Rock State Park from the Jefferson Barracks Military Post in Missouri. Unlike most CCC groups in the nation, Camp 614 included African Americans. The group, composed of roughly 200 men, constructed trails, shelters, and benches throughout the park. In 1933, the group was joined by Camp 1609 from Fort Sheridan via Readstown, Wisconsin.
The ultra-high-back seat allows anglers to sit with knees bent, taking pressure off the lower back. Whether lake, inshore, or offshore fishing, the SS127 is ready.Check out a Bonafide Kayak in person. Extra-wide and stable fishing kayaks allow an angler to stand and fish. If you are a fly-fishermen, or if you enjoy sight-casting to fish in the shallows, stand-up capability might be very important to you in choosing a fishing kayak.

Whether you prefer standard outdoor tents camping, the comfort of pop-up camping, or the coziness of tear-drop camping, our Starved Rock area has something to match every camper's needs. With 9 connecting lakes within the park and three rivers bordering the park, visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to lake scenery and activities. If you love to camp, you will find many different campsites within the park that can provide a great experience for camping enthusiasts. The park is also popular for camping, with many different campsites available. Enjoying the campgrounds is also a great way to enjoy the nature of the park.