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Your Gateway to the Best Outdoor Adventures in the Chicago Area

 The upland prairies were created during an intensive warming period several thousand years after the melting of the glaciers. The Illinois River Valley in the Starved Rock area is a major contrast to the flatland. The backdrop for your activities are 18 canyons formed by glacial meltwater and stream erosion. Experience the fun of outdoor adventure at Starved Rock State Park. Coast guard Captain to chauffeur you on the Illinois river for the above time. All Aboard our 30′ pontoon boat for a half day or full day pontoon boat rental on the Illinois River in a 25 mile stretch of river in Morris. The all-newBonafide RVR 119is a river-specific kayak designed to access and fish hundreds of miles of overlooked rivers and creeks. The hull’s unique upturned bow and stern give it a rocker profile for moving upriver and a drop-down skeg aids in tracking.Check out a Bonafide Kayak in person. The compactBonafide SS107is a portable beast that boasts premium kayaking chicago fishing features with a small footprint. It was designed for maximum stability without sacrificing paddling performance, and it comes loaded with angler-friendly features.Check out a Bonafide Kayak in person. You may like the exercise and simplicity of paddling, or want the benefits of pedaling with your feet so your hands are free for fishing. Given the location, I would stay here again if I were to visit the park. I gave this 3 stars because I was comparing it to other campgrounds I've stayed at and the amenities they've offered. Drive west of Chicago to this 1,550-acre stretch of prairie, surrounding a 300-acre manmade lake that is popular with fishers. Snowmobiling is not allowed anywhere at Starved Rock, but is allowed at the I & M Canal one mile to the north in Utica. The trails are open all year, but hikers are urged to exercise extreme caution and to stay on official trails. To keep you oriented, trail maps are located at all trail access points, intersections and points of interest. There are colored posts along the trails, corresponding to colors on the maps, and letter symbols on the trail brochure to further assist you. Finally, yellow dots on trees or posts indicate that you are moving away from the lodge or visitor center, and white dots mean you are returning. You might be shocked to see Starved Rock’s towering cliffs, a rarity in Illinois. That’s just one reason to visit the park—the massive waterfalls, miles of shady oak trees and regular bald eagle sightings are a few more. Campers can reserve their spot online and make use of a convenient campground store. Kankakee River State Park is a great option for the hunters and fishermen out there. There are a couple different campgrounds in this park that offer primitive style to electricity and various amenities. Wildlife thrive in this area – deer, duck, pheasant, turkey, dove, rabbit, squirrel, fox, coyote and raccoon are all permitted during their allotted season. With a total area of 1,750-acre, Cedar Lake is surrounded by limestone bluffs, hardwood forests, and huge cedar trees that are perfect locations for your weekend getaway kayaking and hiking trip. This is surely a must-visit place on the Illinois kayak map where you can lazily paddle all day long and enjoy nature in its truest form. One of the best Illinois kayaking spots, you’ll find plenty of safe beaches and spots like the North Avenue Beach at Lincoln Park to launch into the waters. The lodge was constructed using local materials, such as sandstone and oak timbers, and was designed to blend into its natural surroundings. Another option is to reach out to local kayaking clubs or associations. These groups are usually filled with experienced paddlers who are passionate about sharing their knowledge with others. Camping, boating and fishing are among the other activities offered in the park. There are 133 campsites at Starved Rock State Park, of those 100 can be reserved. There are also horseback riding trails at Starved Rock on the far western side of the park. Starved Rock State Park is a nature lover’s paradise with its beautiful hiking trails. The park offers 13 miles of well-maintained trails that take you through canyons, waterfalls, and scenic overlooks. Beyond its stunning architecture, kayaking in Chicago also exposes you to breathtaking natural landscapes. You can escape from the hustle and bustle of city life by venturing into peaceful nature reserves like North Pond Nature Sanctuary or paddling through scenic waterways like Skokie Lagoons. Another great place to go camping in Illinois is the Shawnee National Forest. There’s also kayak rental near the Chicago River Walk, just north of Millenium Park. One of the best places to head to if you want to paddle through the heart of the city, with shiny skyscrapers towering on either side, is the Loop. This can be a busy waterway, filled with commercial vessels, water taxis, and tour boats, so it’s recommended that you have a high level of paddling skills and experience. North Avenue Beach is one of the most popular attractions in Chicago, located in the heart of Lincoln Park. Permits may be obtained from the park office or at the permit booth in the campground area. The store will sell fire wood, ice, soda, and other camping supplies. The campsites are located in beautiful areas and offer a great opportunity to disconnect from technology and enjoy nature. Located just across the border in Indiana, the Indiana Dunes National Park is a stunning nature preserve that features 15 miles of beautiful hiking trails. The park’s most popular trail is the 3.8-mile Dune Succession Trail, which takes you through several different ecosystems, including dunes, swamps, and forests. For a more challenging hike, try the 9.5-mile Cowles Bog Trail, which takes you through some of the park’s most scenic areas. Another great option for hiking near Chicago is Matthiessen State Park, located about 100 miles southwest of the city. This 1,938-acre park features five miles of hiking trails that take you through stunning canyons, rock formations, and waterfalls. With 241 sites, there's lots of room for tents, RVs, cars and trailers—and they all have access to electricity, restrooms and showers. Apart from enjoying scenic vistas, riverside camping also provides unique opportunities for outdoor activities. Whether you’re an avid angler or simply enjoy dipping your toes in cool water, having a river at your doorstep opens up a whole new world of recreational possibilities. We wanted to bring in elements of our community and what makes the Midwest unique. And chef-driven, farm-to-fork breakfasts and dinners in The Barn incorporate lots of local produce, meat and even honey from an apiary I run on-site, Bias said. Shaky Shelter SiteShaky Shelter Site is the location of a prehistoric rock shelter site at the base of the sandstone bluff within the state park's Kaskaskia Canyon. In 1991 subsurface tests of the 183 m2 shelter site were made and determined that evidence existed only for occupation by Upper Mississippian groups.

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