Make Some Waves Paddling this summer with Forest Preserve District Rentals and Programs

Now that summer – and hot temperatures – have finally arrived, it’s time to make waves by renting a kayak or signing up for one of the many paddling programs offered by the Forest Preserve District of Will County.

The newest paddling opportunity is at Whalon Lake where Naperville Kayak began renting kayaks at the popular preserve in May. Kayaks can be rented from 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Fridays-Sundays through the third week in August. Kayak rentals will be available on weekends only from the third week in August through September. Kayak rentals also are available Tuesday-Sunday at the Forest Preserve’s Monee Reservoir Visitor Center.

In addition to kayak rentals, the Forest Preserve also will be offering a wide variety of paddling programs at several locations. Registration is required two days before each program. With the exception of the Rivals Lookout Park program, online registration is available on the Forest Preserve District’s Event Calendar at ReconnectWithNature.org.

Here are all of the paddling options:

ISLE A LA CACHE – Romeoville
River Paddle (Advanced): 9 a.m.-noon, Thursday, July 11. Ages 15 or older; $50/person.
Registration is required; 815-886-1467
LAKE CHAMINWOOD PRESERVE – Minooka
Bring Your Own Boat – Touring Lake Chaminwood (Intermediate): 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 16. Ages 12 or older, $10/person.
Paddle Lake Chaminwood (Intermediate): 3-4:30 p.m. Fridays, July 19 and August 2. Ages 12 or older; $20/person.
Kayak Kollege (Beginner): Four 90-minute sessions at 5 p.m. Friday, July 19; 5 p.m. Friday, August 2; and 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, August 17. Ages 12 or older; $50/person.
Registration is required; 815-722-9470.
MCKINLEY WOODS – KERRY SHERIDAN GROVE – Channahon
Bring Your Own Boat – Touring The Confluence (Intermediate): 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, August 20. Ages 12 or older, $10/person.
Fall Color Paddle (Intermediate): Two 2-hour sessions at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, September 28. Ages 12 or older; $20 per person.
Registration is required; 815-722-9470.
MONEE RESERVOIR – Monee Township
Kayak Kollege: 2-4:30 p.m. Saturday, July 20. Ages 12 or older; $50/person.
Photo and Fire Paddle: 6-9 p.m. Saturday, July 20. Ages 16 or older; $20/person.
Paddle and Campfire: 6-9 p.m. Friday, July 26. Ages 5 or older; $20 per person.
Paddle and Pinot: 6-9 p.m. Friday, August 2. Ages 21 or older; $20/person.
Canoe & Clean Up: Noon-3 p.m. Saturday, September 21. Ages 7 or older; $20/person.
Summer Send-off Paddle: 4-7 p.m. Saturday, September 21. Ages 7 or older; $20/person.
Registration is required; 708-534-8499.
RIVALS LOOKOUT PARK – Wesley Township
Bring Your Own Boat – Kayak Skills and Safety (Advanced): Two 2-hour sessions at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, September 14. Ages 18 or older; $40/person.
Registration is required; 815-722-9470.
ROCK RUN ROOKERY PRESERVE – Joliet
Birding by Boat (Intermediate): 8-10 a.m. Saturday, July 13. Ages 18 or older; $20/person.
Paddle Rock Run Rookery (Intermediate): Five 90-minute sessions at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 13; 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Saturday, July 20; and 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Friday, August 16. Ages 12 or older; $20/person.
Bring Your Own Boat – Touring Rock Run Rookery (Intermediate): 6-7:30 p.m. Friday, July 26. Ages 12 or older; $10/person.
Registration is required; 815-722-9470.

WHALON LAKE – Naperville
Paddle Whalon Lake (Intermediate): Three 90-minute sessions will begin at 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 10. Ages 12 or older; $20/person.

Registration is required; 815-886-1467.