Chicago River Canoe & Kayak
The Great Outdoors, Right Next Door

Friends of the River Primary architects of the river's renaissance.

Chicago Park District

Clark Park Advisory Council Whether you want to help plan the future of Clark Park and the Lane Tech campus, or just volunteer for a clean-up day, this is the place.

Kayak Chicago - The premier outfitter for kayaking on Lake Michigan or renting on your own downtown.

Wisconsin River Outings - When Chicago's wild remnants aren't enough, this is a great outfitter for a weekend getaway. Their web address is their phone number.

Chicago Paddling Page - A great, comprehensive page with historical maps, lists of lakes and rivers, loads of links.

Wateriders - Charlie Portis offers interesting tours of the downtown area.

Chicago Kayak club - If you have a boat, this club is a good way to join others for trips in the region.

Illinois Paddling Council Sponsors of Paddling in the Park and producers of a cautionary video on the dangers of low-head dams. As two tragedies this summer have proven, it's worth taking a look. The dam at River Park is certainly big enough to create a re-circulating current, though the narrow width would likely allow a person caught in the current to wash out to the side fairly quickly. Not something we want anyone to test out, though.

Door County Kayak Tours - a great way to explore the roiling waters of a county whose name is translated from the French "porte de la morte". Loosely translated this means "Yes, beginners really do need a guide."