Experience one of America’s largest cities from a unique perspective.Often called ‘Skyscraper Canyon,’ the north and south branches of the Chicago River converge at Wolf Point in the downtown area of the Windy City.The river then continues east towards the harbor and Lake Michigan. Taking in the views of the city bustling above you from the relative calm of the water is an experience worth going for – especially at night when the city glows, sending a wash of lights and sounds rising up from the riverbanks.
Anyone that has paddled a proper canyon river will immediately see why this stretch of towering glass and steel is nicknamed ‘Skyscraper Canyon.’ While Minneapolis/St. Paul, Cleveland, San Diego, Seattle and Miami (to name a few) all offer decent urban paddling routes, Chicago stands alone with its real canyon-like experience. (Sound off in the comments if you want to share a great urban paddling route.)
You can bring your own boat and launch for several different points. There are two main routes we recommend. The first is to launch on the South Branch at Ping Tom Boathouse. This Chicago Co Parks public access area also offers rentals through the Chicago Outdoor Collective. Learn more here. During the approx. 3 miles to the mouth of the harbor you’ll pass under at least 21 bridges. The first section is mostly industrial, but it doesn’t take long before the scrapers close in around you. At Wolf Point, the spot where the north and south branches converge, the river turns east. Wolf Point is an impressive spot, and the most wide-open area of river on the route.
The second route starts at the Kayak Chicago facility on the North Branch. The route heads south on either side of Goose Island and is approx. 3.5 miles to the harbor mouth. This private kayak tour facility offers classes, a wide variety of tours and has a robust rental fleet. Call ahead if you plan on launching your personal boats. In any case, we recommend going on the evening river tour with these folks to see the fireworks at the harbor that blast off every Wednesday and Saturday night during the summer months.
Keep in mind that the river is a congested waterway, so if that seems a bit daunting, there an number of outfitters than can take you on a great tour. The local guides are also super informative, and since the city has a ton of history, going with a guide can really help to magnify the experience.
Gear:
Any paddle craft would work for the river. We’ve seen a wide variety of sea kayaks, canoes and paddle-boards on the water. The main concern is the boat traffic and fairly gross water quality, so using a comfortable and stable craft should be the primary concern. Past that, dressing for the weather and water-temps like any other paddle trip is the call. If a night paddle is in your plans, bring some extra glow-sticks to attach to your boat and body. A headlamp might not be a bad idea either.
Access:
There are several good points for launching near downtown on the Chicago River and Lake Michigan.
- Montrose Harbor: Located at the northern end of the river, it offers a popular launch spot with good parking, amenities, and access to the river.
- Hollywood Beach: Near the Lakeview area, this access point provides convenient launching options with nearby parking and park facilities.
- North Avenue Beach: A well-known access point with nearby launch areas, especially suitable for paddlers exploring the northern sections.
- Plymouth Park: Located on the near north side, it offers a quiet launching area, ideal for a less crowded experience.
- River Run Park (at the North Branch): Situated in the North Side, this park offers access to the river with a peaceful environment.
- DuSable Harbor: Near Lake Michigan, this is a central access point with facilities and good river access.
- Kayak Chicago: Located on the North Branch. Offers rentals, tours and public access.
- Ping Tom Boathouse: Located on the South Branch. Offers rentals, easy access and parking.
- Wateriders: Tours and Rentals, located downtown.
- Urban Kayaks on the Chicago River: Tours and rentals, located downtown.
- Wendella Boathouse: Located downtown, it offers rentals and easy access to the river with scenic views.
Hazards and Concerns:
The Chicago River has a notorious reputation as one of the country’s filthiest waterways, thanks to the historic slaughterhouses that traditionally used the river as a sewer. Thankfully, this is no longer the case, but paddlers would still be well-advised to stay out of the water. On one of my floats we saw quite a bit of trash and several dead critters floating by. Once you get into Lake Michigan, the water becomes much cleaner. And yes, the city still plans on dyeing the river green this coming St. Patrick’s Day.
Plenty of private boats and water tours also use the river. This boat traffic can get congested, and the bigger boats can create waves that refract off the river banks, creating a mishmash of sloshing water. During the spring, river levels might be higher than usual and create weird currents and eddies around dock pilings. There are also other submerged hazards to keep an eye out for, such as rocks, old log pilings and floating debris. In general it’s best to stay along one edge or the other, and only scoot across the river as needed.
Access is limited to several points only, so getting out of the water along steep embankments or concrete walls is problematic at best. Plan your trip accordingly.
We recommend paddling the river in the summer months, although spring and fall would also be fine – just dress accordingly. Ice floes and extreme low temperatures would create additional hazards in the winter.
