Knollwood to Isle a la Cache

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Skill level: Some paddling experience strongly recommended

Length: Approximately 8.9 miles

Directions: The put-in, located one block east of the southern end of Madison Street, approximately 1/2 mile east of Route 83, in Burr Ridge, is owned by the Burr Ridge Park District. Take-out at Romeo Road (135th Street), on the west side of Isle a la Cache Preserve, one of just a few large islands in the Des Plaines River.

Notes: The trip passes through several Cook, DuPage, and Will county forest preserves, where wildlife abounds along the shore and in the many tributaries and adjacent riverine wetlands.  Used for storage by fur trappers and traders more than 200 years ago, this stretch culminates at a small history museum.  Will-U-Canoe organizes trips of varying length, rents boats and gear, and provides drop-off and pick-up service.

Always check United States Geological Survey (USGS) water data before your trip.