Non-Motorized Watercraft

Bring your own cartop boat, canoe, kayak, paddleboard or other small non-motorized watercraft and launch it on one of four inland lakes:

• Sterling Lake at Van Patten Woods in Wadsworth. View map.
• Long Lake at Grant Woods in Ingleside. Use boat launch parking lot in the south section of preserve, south of Rollins Road. View map.
• Hastings Lake in Lake Villa. View map.
• Lake Carina in Gurnee. View map.

Launching is free and at your own risk. You’ll need approved flotation gear. Electric trolling motors are allowed. Trailers are permitted only at Van Patten Woods but parking is limited to the grass overflow area.

Motorized Watercraft

For large, motorized watercraft, the Fox River Forest Preserve in Port Barrington has one of the best equipped public boat launches on the Fox River. There is a fee for launching. Boat slips are available for rent on a seasonal basis in the preserve's beautiful 169-slip marina. Indoor dry storage is also available here. You’ll need approved flotation gear, and your motorized watercraft must be registered and titled with the state of Illinois. View map.

Canoe Launches

Paddle down the scenic Des Plaines River, or fish along its banks at one of six canoe launches. All provide river access, shoreline fishing and parking. Some have connections to the Des Plaines River Trail. Cartop canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and other small non-motorized watercraft are allowed. Trailers are not permitted. Launching is free and at your own risk. You’ll need approved flotation gear. 

Boat Use

A variety of boats and other small watercraft are available for rent seasonally at the marina at Independence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville. Rentals allow paddlers who do not own their own boat a chance to get out on the preserve's 115-acre lake. They also allow paddling newcomers an opportunity to try a variety of equipment before purchasing their own boat. Personal watercraft is not allowed on the lake at Independence Grove.