Rental spots differ by whether they offer flatwater paddling or river trips with shuttle service, as well as the types of watercraft available, such as single, tandem, or sit-on-top kayaks. Some locations include paddles, life jackets, and dry bags in the base rate, while others charge extra or require advance reservations for weekend launches. A map pin shows where the launch site is, but it does not tell you if the location caters to self-guided beginners or experienced paddlers tackling moving water.
Chicago 7
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Kayak Chicago
1220 W Le Moyne St, Chicago, IL 60642
Monday – Sunday, 10am – 7pm
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Wateriders
500 N Kingsbury St, Chicago, IL 60654
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Wateriders At Northwest -- Chicago River Kayak Tours And Rentals
3057 N Rockwell St, Chicago, IL 60618-7917
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Urban Kayaks
435 E Riverwalk, Chicago, IL 60601
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Chicago River Canoe & Kayak
3400 N Rockwell St, Chicago, IL 60618
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Kayak Chicago
1603 N Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60611
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Chicago Outdoor Collective
Ping Tom Memorial Park, 1600 S Grove St, Chicago, IL 60616
Ottawa 3
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C & M Canoe Rental
3401 E 2062nd Rd, Ottawa, IL 61350
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Starved Rock State Park Kayak
1180 E State Route 71, Ottawa, IL 61350-9273
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Kayak Starved Rock
1170 N 27th Rd, Ottawa, IL 61350-9797
Morris 2
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Kay's Apartments
706 E Washington St, Morris, IL 60450
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Kayak Morris Campground
801 Kayak Morris Rd, Morris, IL 60450
Oglesby 2
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River Bum Rafting
121 N Columbia Ave, Oglesby, IL 61348
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Vermillion River Rafting
779 N 2249th Rd, Oglesby, IL 61348
Aurora 1
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Howling Wolfe Canoe & Kayak
NO WALK INS (RESERVATIONS REQUIRED, 550 Clearwater Dr, Aurora, IL 60542
Cary 1
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Rawson Bridge Rentals
910 Beachway St, Cary, IL 60013
Cherry Valley 1
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Kishwaukee Canoe
218 S Walnut St, Cherry Valley, IL 61016
Colona 1
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Quad Cities Kayak River Adventures
Colona IL., Colona, IL 61241
Decatur 1
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Standing Paddle Co.
2301 E Lakeshore Dr, Decatur, IL 62521
Galena 1
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Galena River Outfitters
527 S Main St, Galena, IL 61036-2328
Genoa 1
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Paddle On Outfitters
115 Monroe St Unit 1, Genoa, IL 60135
Glencoe 1
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Chicago River Canoe and Kayak
1770 Tower Rd, Glencoe, IL 60093
Kankakee 1
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Reed's Canoe Trips
907 N Indiana Ave, Kankakee, IL 60901
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Keithsburg Kayak Company
304 Washington St, Keithsburg, IL 61442
Libertyville 1
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Oak Spring Road Canoe Launch
Des Plaines River Trail, Libertyville, IL 60048
Lisle 1
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Naperville Kayak
1825 Short St, Lisle, IL 60532-2149
Moline 1
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Barefoot Plus Watersports on the Mississippi River
1425 River Dr, Moline, IL 61265-1305
Oakwood 1
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Kickapoo Adventures
1 Clear Pond, Oakwood, IL 61858-6307
Oregon 1
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White Pelican Canoe and Kayak Rental
201 N 2nd St, Oregon, IL 61061
Rockford 1
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Canoe the Kish at Larsen's Landing
1951 New Milford School Rd, Rockford, IL 61109-4352
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Riverside Canoe & Kayak Rental
Springfield, IL 62702
St Charles 1
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Canoe Shack
42W612 Steeplechase Ct, St Charles, IL 60175-8275
Ullin 1
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Cache Bayou Outfitters
240 Dean Ln, Ullin, IL 62992
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Wadsworth Canoe Launch
Wadsworth, IL 60083
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Maple Lake Kayaks
9501 Wolf Rd, Willow Springs, IL 60480
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Scull and Oars
6014 N Mill Dr, Wonder Lake, IL 60097-9110
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Yak Shack
301 E Hydraulic Ave, Yorkville, IL 60560
Zion 1
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Van Patten Woods Canoe Launch
15151 W Russell Rd, Zion, IL 60099
Also in Illinois
- Marinas and Harbors164
- Boat Rentals93
- Tackle and Bait Shops79
- Fishing Charters & Clubs58
- Boat Tours & Charters49
- Boat Storage33
- Scuba Diving Centers31
- Boat Ramps24
- Ferries & Water Taxis15
- Sailing and Yacht Clubs14
- Marinas and Facilities with Boat Launches11
- Marinas with Transient Slips10
- Marinas with Public and Private Boat Launches8
- Surf Shops & Schools6
Good to know
What equipment is typically included with a kayak or canoe rental?
Most operators include the watercraft, paddles, and personal flotation devices (PFDs) for every passenger as part of the standard rental fee. Some businesses also provide dry bags or safety whistles, but you should bring your own sun protection, water, and quick-drying clothing.
Do I need prior paddling experience to rent a kayak?
Flatwater rentals on lakes or quiet bays generally do not require prior experience, and staff usually provide a brief safety orientation before launch. Guided trips or river runs with rapids may recommend or require basic paddling skills, so check age and experience guidelines before booking.
How much does a typical kayak or canoe rental cost?
Hourly rentals on flatwater typically range from $15 to $30 per hour for a single kayak, while double kayaks and canoes cost slightly more. Half-day or full-day river trips with shuttle service often cost between $40 and $80 per person.
How to shrink wrap a boat?
To shrink wrap a boat, cover support structures with protective padding, lay the shrink film across the hull, heat-shrink it with a heat gun, and add ventilation ports. For large vessels or professional weatherproofing in Illinois, check the 38 marine service providers cataloged on MarinaAtlas.
What is a marine survey?
A marine survey is a detailed inspection of a boat's hull, mechanical systems, and overall condition conducted by a certified surveyor. Across Illinois, MarinaAtlas indexes 38 qualified marine operators and survey specialists to assist buyers and insurance companies.