Canoe with Friends!
CHICAGO RIVER KNOWLEDGE!
Question: How many miles long is the Chicago River?
Answer: The Chicago River spans 156 miles.
An outdoor adventure is closer than you think…paddle the Chicago River
Register Now for 2008 Trips!
Why travel afar when you can experience rich wildlife and urban adventure in your own backyard? Friends of the Chicago River offers guided group tours of several sections of the Chicago River. Experienced and knowledgeable river guides, paddling skills training, shuttle service (when needed), catered box lunches, and equipment (canoes, paddles, personal flotation devices and dry bags) are provided by Friends of the Chicago River.
See below for the trip calendar and for details about each canoe trip. For further information or to plan a private group trip email Alex Duchak.
Other Canoeing Opportunities with Friends
Chicago River Flatwater Classic
Join Friends and hundreds of paddlers on Sunday, October 5, 2008 for our 9th annual canoe and kayak race. Perfect for pros and first-time paddlers alike, the Flatwater Classic is an ideal and fun way to see many of the neighborhoods that surround the Chicago River.
Chicago Park District Family Canoe Trips
Check out the Chicago Park District for updates on shorter family canoe trips run by Friends.
Plan a Private Canoe Trip
Interested in a corporate event? Have a large private group and want to take them out on the river? Have Friends host your personally-tailored canoe trip modeled after our classic canoe trips. Downloadable forms will be available soon to help you get started on planning your next private event with us! Great for all different types of organizations who wish to experience the Chicago River.
Become a Volunteer Canoe Guide
Interested in becoming a trained canoe guide? Download the Volunteer Canoe Guide Application!
Can’t Wait to Paddle? Rent a Canoe or Kayak Today
Friends recently posted Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) advertising placards about our canoe program. We are grateful to the following sponsors of that project:
- Kayak Chicago
- Kayak Chicago is a Chicago based outfitter offering Guided Kayak Tours, Kayak and Canoe Rentals and Instructional classes at 3 locations on the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. Kayak Chicago's instructors and guides are ACA and BCU certified kayak Instructors, teaching beginner through advanced classes.
Our Architectural History tour of the Chicago River, Fireworks paddles and Lake Shore paddles are a few of the many tours we offer. - Wateriders
- Since 1997, Wateriders has offered architectural/historical and ghosts & gangsters guided kayak tours. Evening fireworks paddles (Weds and Sat) and the closest kayak rentals to downtown Chicago. CBS' The Early Show says of Wateriders "If adventure whets your appetite, try urban kayaking."
- Chicago River Canoe & Kayak
- Chicago River Canoe & Kayak rents boats and guides trips on the natural section of the river on the north side, where you can see turtles, herons, and even foxes and beaver. Come see nature right in the city.
2008 Canoe Season Calendar
August 2008
Saturday, August 23
Ecology of the River
9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Cost $35 for members, $40 for non-members
Register Now!
Saturday, August 30
Baha’i Evening Paddle
4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Cost $25 for members, $30 for non-members
Register Now!
September 2008
Saturday, September 13
Skokie Lagoons Evening Paddle
5 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Cost $35 for members, $40 for non-members
Register Now!
Saturday, September 20
North Branch Trip
9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Cost $35 for members, $40 for non-members
Register Now!
October 2008
Saturday, October 11
Skokie Lagoons Evening Paddle
5 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Cost $35 for members, $40 for non-members
Register Now!
Canoe Trip Meeting Locations
Use the following Google Maps to get specific directions to our trip locations. Refer to the trip descriptions for detailed directions.
Loop the Goose, Downtown Canyons
Skokie Lagoons
Baha’i Evening Paddle
Ecology of the River
Read about our cancellation policy here. (PDF 112KB)
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