Chicago Area Boat Rentals

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We are not responsible for errors or omissions.
When boating, regardless of water depth, wear a PFD!
When renting, please call ahead.

Note: Many rental locations in Forest Preserves and State Parks are run by private companies who rent space from the Local Forest Preserve District or the Department of Natural Resources.

Fishing Allowed	Paddling Allowed	Sailing Allowed	Motorboating Allowed	Dams Locks
Area Map	Depth Map	Photo(s) Online	Report(s) Online	Camping Allowed

The following listings are provided free to companies renting boats on the lakes covered on these pages. They are listed in alphbetical order only, and the order listed should not be implied as an endorsment in any away. If you know of a rental company not listed, please email the company name, phone number, and email address or web site (if available) to us and we will post it online. (Most lakes listed below rent canoes and rowboats unless noted)

Lakes where rentals are available:

Bluff Lake (Lake County)
- C.J. Smiths Boats (847) 395-2753
- Spring Lake Marina (847)395-6440
Lake Marie (Lake County)
- Tom & Claudia's Barnacle Bob's on Lake Marie 847-395-2036
Busse Lake
Boat rentals are available at the Cook County Forest Preserve rental dock at the south end of the main lake. Call the Busse Lake Boat Rentals office at 847-228-5253
Herrick Lake
Boat rentals available at the Forest Preserve District of Du Page Concession stand. For more information, call (630) 942-6051.
Lake Opeka
Boat rentals are available at the Des Plaines Park District dock located at the northern end of the lake. For more info, call the Des Plaines Park District at (847) 391-5700.
Maple Lake
Rowboat rentals are available at the Cook County Forest Preserve dock and bait shop located at the west side of the lake. Call the Cook County Forest Preserve office at (708) 366-9420 for more information.
Monee Reservoir
Rowboat rentals are available at the Will County Forest Preserve dock located on the west side of the lake. Call the Monee Reservoir office at (708) 534-8499 for more information and current rates.
Silver Lake
Boat rentals available at the Forest Preserve District of Du Page Concession stand. For more information, call (630) 942-6051.
Sterling Lake i
Boat rentals are available at the Lake County Forest Preserve dock and bait shop located on the west side (near the center) of the lake. Call the Lake County Forest Preserve office at (847) 367-3675 for more information.
Tampier Lake
Boat rentals are available at the Cook County Forest Preserve bait shop and rental dock located at the east side of the lake. Call the Cook County Forest Preserve office at (708) 366-9420 for more information.
Twin Lakes
Paddleboat rentals are available from the Salt Creek Park District office located in between the two lakes. For more info, contact the Salt Creek Park District at (847) 259-6890.

Rivers and Creeks where rentals are available:

Chicago River
- Chicago River Canoe and Kayak, 3400 N Rockwell Chicago, (773) 704-2663 or email info@chicagoriverpaddle.com
- KayakChicago.com, (630) 336-7245 or email Dave Olsen.
Des Plaines River
- Offshore Marine, Vernon Hills, IL. (847) 362-4880 or email Matt O'Brien
Hennepin Canal
Boat rentals (including drop off/pick up) are available from:
- ??
Fox River
Boat rentals (including drop off/pick up) are available from:
- Ayers Landing (Wedron), (815) 434-2233
- Buffalo Park (Algonquin), (847) 658-1188
- The Canoe Shack (St. Charles) (630) 584-8017 or email info@canoeshack.com
  Most popular trip is from South Elgin to St Charles.
  This is a 7 mile 3 1/2 hour trip.
- Chain 'O Lakes State Park (Fox Lake) (847) 587-7165
- C & M Canoe Rental (Wedron) (815) 434-6690
- Moraine Hills State Park (McHenry), (815) 385-1624
- MountainTops (St. Charles) (630) 513-7608 (Saturday guided tours)
- Schmidt's Canoeing Service (847) 697-1678 or email wesleyschmidt@msn.com
  Offers a custom trip is from Algonquin ot Elgin ( 8mi.-3 1/2 hr.). Trips are by appointment and there is little or no waiting.
- Tip-A-Canoe Canoe Rentals (Burlington WI), (414)537-3227
  Upper Fox River rentals
- Waterdog ink (Montgomery, IL), 630-801-9684
Illinois River
- Starved Rock State Park (Utica), (815) 667-4227
- Starved Rock Adventures (Utica), (815) 434-6386
- Canoe the Vermilion (815) 673-3218 or email tdimmig@sainet.net
Illinois and Michigan Canal
- There is a small both at Lock 14 in LaSalle that rents canoes.
- Canoe the Vermilion (815) 673-3218 or email tdimmig@sainet.net
Kankakee River
- Reeds Canoe Trips (815) WE - CANOE
Kishwaukee River (Info coming soon, mean time check out canoethekish.com below)
- Larsen's Landing
  Steve 815-505-3466 Karen 815-505-2846
Nippersink Creek
- Schmidt's Canoeing Service (847) 697-1678 or email wesleyschmidt@msn.com
  Trips are by appointment and there is little or no waiting.
- Tip-A-Canoe Canoe Rentals (Burlington WI), (414)537-3227
North Shore Channel
- Chicago River Canoe and Kayak, 3220 Oakton Skokie, (847) 414-5883 or email info@chicagoriverpaddle.com
Rock River
- TJ's Bait / Tackle & Canoe Rental (815)732-4516 or email TJ's Bait, Tackle and Canoe Rentals
  Located 3 blocks south of the Oregon dam, on the west bank.
  Special catered picnics for office outtings
- Rock River Outfitters (815)732-9999 or 815-978-1896
  Rock River Outfitters located at 114 N. River Road, Oregon, IL has recently been purchased and will be operated by O.K. and Melody Welty. The Welty's are lifelong Ogle County residents who are looking forward to being a part of the Oregon business community.
Vermilion River
- Vermilion River Rafting (815) 667-5242
  An 11 mile trip thru 14 sets of rapids or fastwater sections (3 that will definitely get you wet). Just 1.5 hours from Chicago's SW burbs.
- Canoe the Vermilion (815) 673-3218 or email tdimmig@sainet.net
  Multiple trips on both flatwater and whitewater sections of the Vermilion.

Places to rent boats (supply your own trip):

The Canoe Shack (St. Charles) (630) 584-8017 or email info@canoeshack.com
Also rents kayaks
Chicagoland Canoe Base, Chicago, Il. (773) 777-1489 or email info@chicagolandcanoebase.com
Also rents kayaks
Offshore, Vernon Hills, Il. (847) 362-4880 or email Matt O'Brien
Also rents kayaks

Please e-mail suggestion/comments to:

jwn@ripco.com