Watercraft Riding Areas - Illinois

	Clinton Lake State Recreation Area
	Address: R.R. #1, Box 4 DeWitt, Illinois 61735 Phone: (217) 935-8722	Fees: No fees. Directions: 3 miles east of Clinton in central Illinois Misc.: The upper arms of the lake are no wake areas and portions are restricted to electric trolling motors only. There are no horsepower limitations in the lake’s main basin, however. Sailboating is popular. When the wind gets up, the lake can be very rough. Small watercraft are urged to stick to the north fork arm of Salt Creek on rough days. There are six public boat ramps and one canoe launch.
	Web:    dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/clinton.htm

	Eldon Hazlet State Park
	Address: 20100 Hazlet Park Road Carlyle, Illinois 62231 Phone: (618) 594-3015	Fees: No fees. Directions: NA Misc.: Eldon Hazlet State Park is a 3,000-acre park on the west shore of Carlyle Lake, a Kaskaskia River impoundment. The park is located 3 miles north of Carlyle and 2 miles east of Illinois Route 127 in Clinton County. Three boat ramps are available to the public free of charge. Allen Branch Day Use Area is one of the most popular boat launching spots on the lake. It offers a four-lane boat ramp with a handicapped accessible courtesy dock, plus two picnic shelters and privy toilets.
	Web:    dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/eldon.htm

	Cave-In-Rock State Park
	Address: Box 228, New State Park Rd. Cave-In-Rock, Illinois 62919 Phone: (618) 289-4325	Fees: No fees. Directions: NA Misc.: Cave-In-Rock State Park borders the Ohio River for nearly a mile. Two new launching ramps and a new parking area for boaters are located on the western boundary of the park where visitors may enjoy boating, fishing and other water sports on the beautiful Ohio River.
	Web:    dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/caverock.htm

	Chain O' Lakes State Park
	Address: 8916 Wilmot Road Spring Grove, Illinois 60081 Phone: (847) 587-5512	Fees: NA Directions: The park is 60 miles northwest of Chicago, 20 miles west of Lake Michigan and only 4 miles south of the Illinois/Wisconsin border. Misc.: The park borders three natural lakes - Grass, Marie and Nippersink - and the Fox River that connects the other seven lakes (Bluff, Fox, Pistakee, Channel, Petite, Catherine and Redhead) that make up the Chain. Launching available at local marinas located on each of the lakes. No PWC allowed on Turner Lake within the park.
	Web:    dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/chaino.htm#boatin

	Illini State Park
	Address: 2600 East 2350th Road Marseilles, Illinois 61341 Phone: (815) 795-2448	Fees: No fees. Directions: NA Misc.: A boat ramp is available for visitors' boats, but rental boats are not available. Although there is no motor limit on the Illinois River, boaters should be aware of the danger of barge traffic and the close proximity of the Marseilles Lock and Dam.
	Web:    dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/i%26m/east/illini/park.htm

	Illinois Beach State Park
	Address: Lake Front Zion, Illinois 60099 Phone: (847) 662-4828	Fees: NA Directions: NA Misc.: Stretching leisurely for six and a half miles along the sandy shore of Lake Michigan in northern Illinois, Illinois Beach State Park encompasses the only remaining beach ridge shoreline left in the state. Launching facilities at Northpoint Marina. Do not enter roped off swimming area.
	Web:    dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/ilbeach.htm

	Mississippi Palisades State Park
	Address: 16327A Illinois Route 84 Savanna, Illinois 61074 Phone: (815) 273-2731	Fees: No fees. Directions: From I-90, exit at US Rt. 20 west (Galena/Freeport exit). From Rt. 20, turn south on Rt. 84. The park is located 18 miles from Rt. 20. From I-80, exit on Rt. 84 and travel north approximately 50 miles to reach the park which is located three miles north of Savanna. Misc.: There are no motor size limits on boats, and launching ramps at the Mississippi River access areas are free.
	Web:    dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/palisade.htm

	Mississippi River Area
	Address: R.R. 1, Box 182 Grafton, Illinois 62037 Phone: (618) 376-3303	Fees: No fees. Directions: NA Misc.: Nearly 40 miles of the mighty Mississippi River are available via the Piasa Creek Access Area and Royal Landing; and the Glades, Godar Diamond, Hadley Landing and Michael Landing provide access along 35 miles of the Illinois River. All of these areas are contained in Navigation Pool 26. Above Winfield Dam (Lock and Dam 25), Cockrell Hollow, Red's Landing and Riprap Landing provide access to 33 miles of Navigation Pool 25.
	Web:    dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/miss.htm

	William G. Stratton State Park
	Address: 401 Ottawa Street Morris, Illinois 60450 Phone: (815) 942-0796	Fees: NA Directions: Located in Morris, follow Rte. 47 to Illinois Ave. and turn west. Proceed on Illinois Ave. to Calhoun St. and turn left. Crossing over the Illinois & Michigan Canal turn left on Griggs St. and proceed straight to William G. Stratton State Park. Misc.: Named after an Illinois governor, the William G. Stratton State Park was developed in 1959 to provide boat access to the Illinois River. Any one of four public boat launching ramps will provide your start to an afternoon of boating, fishing or water-skiing. A jet ski launching area is located a short distance to the east of the boat ramps.
	Web:    dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/i%26m/east/stratton/home.htm

	Woodford State Fish and Wildlife Area
	Address: R.R. 1 Low Point, Illinois 61545 Phone: (309) 822-8861	Fees: No fees. Directions: NA Misc.: Woodford State Fish and Wildlife Area is a picturesque area along the east side of the Illinois River. The site provides boat docks and a public boat ramp. There is no horsepower limit. Be careful when navigating shallow backwater lakes.
	Web:    dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/woodford.htm

	Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park
	Address: 11094 Ranger Road Whittington, Illinois 62897 Phone: (618) 629-2320	Fees: No fees. Directions: Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park is located on the shores of Rend Lake in Franklin County. From I-57 take exit #77 (Sesser), turn west on IL Rt. 154, the park entrance is 2 miles west of I-57. After crossing one body of water, the park entrance is on the north side of Rt 154. Coming from the west on Rt. 154, the park is 6 miles east of Sesser. The State Park is very well signed with directional signs on all major highways. Misc.: Overlooking the US Army Corps of Engineers’ 19,000-acre Rend Lake Reservoir, Wayne Fitzgerrell is a gateway to southern Illinois’ biggest outdoor playground-a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and all interests. Approximately 2,000 acres of the site are developed for picnicking, boating access, camping and other activities.
	Web:    dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/wayne.htm

	Starved Rock State Park
	Address: PO Box 509 Utica, Illinois 61373 Phone: (815) 667-4726	Fees: NA Directions: I-39 southbound: South to I-80 east (exit #59). Go 2 miles to exit #81 (Rt. 178, Utica). Go south (right) 3 miles on Rt. 178 and follow the signs into the Park. I-39 northbound: North to Exit #48 (Tonica exit). Go east (right) for approximately 5 miles to the T-intersection, which is Rt. 178. Go north (left) for approximately 5 miles and follow the signs into the Park. I-80 Eastbound and Westbound: Get off at exit #81 (Rt.178, Utica). Go south 3 miles on Rt. 178 and follow the signs into the Park. From the Chicago area: Take I-294 or I-355 south to I-55. Take I-55 south to I-80. Go west on I-80, 45 miles to Exit #81 (Rt. 178, Utica). Go south (left) 3 miles on Rt. 178 and follow the signs into the Park. Misc.: Starved Rock State Park is located along the south side of the Illinois River. Boats may be launched from the boat ramp in the west end of the park. Boats are not allowed within 600 feet of the dam due to the strong currents and powerful undertows. Under no circumstance can you wade or swim in the river, canyons, or from any park shoreline.
	Web:    dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/i&m/east/starve/park.htm

	North Point Marina
	Address: 701 North Point Drive Winthrop Harbor, Illinois 60096 Phone: (847) 746-2845	Fees: No fee. Directions: The largest marina on the Great Lakes is on Lake Michigan midway between Chicago and Milwaukee. You'll reach your slip easily by car via I-94 or US 41 to IL 173 east. Misc.: NA
	Web:    dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/north_po/index.htm

	Pere Marquette State Park
	Address: Route 100, PO Box 158 Grafton, Illinois 62037 Phone: (618) 786-3323	Fees: No fees. Directions: NA Misc.: Launching ramps and ample parking provide access to the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers, with courtesy docks available when weather conditions and river levels permit. Future plans include a full-service marina.
	Web:    dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/peremarq.htm

	Rend Lake
	Address: RR #1, Box 338 Bonnie, Illinois 62816 Phone: (618) 279-3110	Fees: NA Directions: NA Misc.: Launch your boat from any of the 27 ramps located around the lake, to enjoy some of the finest recreational boating found anywhere. Boaters plying the Rend Lake Waters in bass boats, house boats or personal watercraft are sure to enjoy the nearly 19,000 acres of waters that comprise the lake.
	Web:    dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/rendlake/rendlk.htm

The inclusion of a riding area is not an endorsement of or recommendation for a particular riding area and exclusion of a riding area is not a criticism of that area. The information is provided as a general guide and is current as of March 2001, but may change. Please contact the riding area for current information.