Confluence Loop Trail

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Where the Kankakee and Des Plaines rivers come together to create the Illinois River, a unique configuration of connecting waterways form an enjoyable water trail loop.

Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced

Length: Approximately 8 miles
 
Directions: The trail has two access sites and spans four waterbodies: the Kankakee and Des Plaines rivers and the Grant Creek and Kankakee River cut-offs. Put-in at the Kankakee River boat launch area, in the Des Plaines Wildlife and Conservation Area. To get there, exit I-55 at New River Road, on the north side of the Kankakee River. Turn right, and drive northwest on New River Road, approximately 1/2 mile, to the first left. Follow the road to the boat launch area.

Notes: Paddle approximately 3.5 miles downstream on the Kankakee River to the confluence with the Des Plaines River. Approximately 1 mile up the Des Plaines is the other access site, on the north bank, at McKinley Woods Forest Preserve, in Will County. Landing is possible at the small limestone shelter overlooking the river. Campsites can be reserved at nearby Boatman's Landing Area by contacting the Forest Preserve District of Will County in advance.

Approximately 1/2 mile upstream is the mouth of the Grant Creek cut-off. A little less than a mile into the cut-off, Grant Creek enters on the left bank. Do not enter Grant Creek. Instead,  continue approximately 1/2 mile south on the cut-off until it ends. Portage over the small strip of land into the Kankakee River cut-off, on the other side. Paddle south another 1/2 mile until you enter the Kankakee River. Less than a half mile upstream from the mouth of the Kankakee cut-off is the Kankakee River boat launch area, on the left bank.

For a longer trip, paddle the I&M Canal and DuPage River, which can be accessed approximately 3 miles southwest of the intersection of I-55 and Route 6, in Channahon. The water trail begins at the parking lot, just south of Bridge Street,  2 blocks downstream of the dam. Launch on the east side of the parking lot into the DuPage River. Paddle approximately 0.7 miles south to the confluence with the Des Plaines River. Another 1.5 miles downstream, enter the Grant Creek cut-off, on river left. Portage into the Kankakee River cut-off and out into the Kankakee River. Turn right and paddle downstream to the confluence with the Des Plaines River. Take out on the opposite (north) bank, portage over the levee and down into the I&M Canal. Paddle upstream (to the east) past McKinley Woods. From the McKinley Woods landing it is another 3 miles on the canal back to the I&M State Trail Access parking lot.

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