Canoeing · Illinois
Canoeing in Illinois
4 outfitters across Illinois. Ratings, hours, contact details and a map for each, all in one place.
Named lakes and reservoirs
2,041
Rated 4.5+ on Google
4 of 4
Cities
4
Best season
Apr to Oct
At a glance
Highest rated on Google
Ranked by Google rating, then by number of reviews, across all 4 outfitters listed in Illinois.
| Outfitter | City | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Howling Wolfe Canoe & Kayak | North Aurora | 5.0261 Google reviews |
| Ayers Landing Canoes, Tubes and Kayaks | Wedron | 4.8329 Google reviews |
| Chicago River Canoe and Kayak | Winnetka | 4.7184 Google reviews |
| Chicago River Canoe & Kayak at Tampier Lake | Orland Park | 4.5366 Google reviews |
Operators
Canoeing operators
Loads the full map of every listing on this page. We leave it off by default so the page opens fast on mobile data.
Lakes
Lakes to canoe in Illinois
- Named lakes in Illinois
- 941
- Reservoirs
- 1,100
Largest by area
- Carlyle Lake22,797 acres
- Lake Shelbyville10,235 acres
- Lake Clinton4,586 acres
- Lake Decatur2,905 acres
- Nippersink Lake2,493 acres
Source: USGS Geographic Names Information System.
Resources
More to explore in Canoeing
Hand-picked videos and free guides from the community to help you plan your next trip.
Videos worth watching
Hand-picked clips, sorted by what you do.
How to Canoe | 3 Key Strokes All Paddlers Should Know
PaddleTV
Learning To Paddle: Episode 1 Basic Canoe Paddle Strokes
Old Town
How to Develop Good Technique for Paddling a Canoe
PaddleTV
Golden Rules of Canoeing | How to Stay Safe on the Water
PaddleTV
How to Paddle a Canoe
Texas Parks and Wildlife
Canoe Paddle Strokes with Northern Tier
Northern Tier High Adventure
Guides worth reading
Trip briefs, prep checklists, and how-tos. Free to read.
Canoe Camping Trip Planning: A 5-Step Guide to Multi-Day River Trips
Jul 2026
How to Paddle Moving Water: Ferry, Eddy Turn & Peel Out Safely
Jul 2026
Whitewater Kayaking for Beginners: Class II-III Guide
Jul 2026
Best SUP Paddleboarding Spots: Lakes, Rivers & Coastal Destinations
Jul 2026
Free tools
