Fox River - Marge Kline Whitewater Park in Illinois

by  guest-paddler

A self-supported trip created by guest-paddler

Trip Overview

The Marge Kline Whitewater Park offers a nice opportunity for paddlers to experience some modest drops. wave trains, chutes and eddies with some velocity at the edges. It never closes and is deep enough in the main channel to make swimming not too intimidating. I would call it class 1 1/2 ww.

In the 3 days I was there the water flow for the entire Fox River varied from 1500 to 2800 cfs. The whitewater run gets maybe 20% of that. At higher levels there is a nice surfing wave at one of the upstream drops. There are 6 or 8 chutes and at least a dozen eddies of varying difficulty. The velocity in the main channel is high enough to make leaning into eddy turns and peelouts a necessity and ferries challenging.

I paddled my Mohawk solo 13 open canoe and it was plenty of boat. There are kayak and inflatable rentals on site at the Yak Shack and maybe instruction.

It is unique water in the Midwest and an excellent learning and tuneup site. Thanks to the Chicago Whitewater Club.

Accommodations:

Local campground is big, clean, showing its age.

Super 8 Motel and a new upscale motel

Fees:

$6.50 Illinois use stamp on each boat - available at a sporting goods store just west of the park.

Directions:

Southwest of Chicago.

North of Joliet.

South of Aurora.
From Chicago take 88 west to IL 47 south to Yorkville

Trip Details

  • Trip Duration: Day Trip, 2-3 Day Trip
  • Sport/Activity: Kayaking
  • Water Type: River/Creek (Up to Class II)

Trip Location