Easy-flowing waters welcome novice paddlers
The Midwest is a great place to learn to canoe and kayak. The region is full of scenic rivers and lakes that offer fun and safe paddling for those with little or no experience.
Let us take you on a tour. Wherever you go, though, stay safe. Wear a life vest, check the weather forecast, know where you’re going and follow local boating regulations.
In the Hocking Hills region of southeastern Ohio, you can enjoy the slow current of the Hocking River. Lake Logan offers access to smooth water for canoes and kayaks that are available for rent.
In Indiana, a gentle 31/2-mile stretch of the Tippecanoe River starts in Winamac, where outfitters for boats can be found. Once on the water, look for great blue herons, listen for whippoorwills and watch bluebreast and Tippecanoe darters swimming in the “Tippy.”
Cheap vacation idea:Want to get your feet wet sailing? Try a day cruise
Costco Travel:What travelers should know about booking a trip with Costco Travel
Monroe Lake in Bloomington, the state’s largest lake, is a popular destination for recreational boating. Several areas of the lake, such as Moore’s Creek, are calm, no-wake zones for relaxed kayaking and canoeing.
Indiana’s White River is a comfortable waterway for beginners. The river is easy to access from sites in Cicero, Noblesville, Carmel and Fishers before it flows south through Indianapolis.
In Illinois, put in for a quiet 10-mile stretch of the Galena River to see bald eagles and great blue herons as well as a historic railroad bridge and what’s left of the Galena Lock and Dam, built in 1890.
An offbeat destination for beginning paddlers is the Skokie Lagoons, a wooded preserve north of Chicago. Kayaks and canoes are available for rent at the Tower Road Boat Launch near Winnetka.
VPN for travel:Can using VPN save you money on hotels, car rentals? I tested it out.
Starting in Indiana and traveling through Illinois, the calm Kankakee River is perfect for beginners and one of the cleanest rivers in the region. Eleven miles of access in Illinois are available in Kankakee River State Park.
In southern Illinois, wander through cypress and tupelo swamps on the Cache River, ideal for beginning kayakers and canoeists. Launch in the stunning wetlands at the Cache River State Natural Area in Vienna.
Canoeing is easy and delightful at Horicon Marsh Wildlife Area in Wisconsin, the largest freshwater cattail marsh in the country. There are four boat landings for access. Look for great blue herons and great egrets.
Wild River State Park, located along the scenic St. Croix River inMinnesota, offers quiet stretches for leisurely paddling. Beginners can put in at the park’s Sunrise Landing river access.
To the south in Iowa, boaters on the Upper Iowa River can enjoy towering limestone bluffs, natural springs, chimney rock formations, beaver dams and cliff swallow nests. Boating equipment can be rented in the northeastern Iowa town of Bluffton.
For beginner boating in Missouri, visit the Meramec River at Meramec State Park. It’s about an hour’s drive southwest of St. Louis.
In the Missouri Ozarks, take a boat out on the Black River or the Roaring River. Both waterways have sections that are ideal for beginners.
Paddle the slow-moving Niobrara River in the sandhills of Nebraska, enjoying the views of more than 200 waterfalls along the waterway. Outfitters can be found in and around the town of Valentine.
Indiana’s White River is comfortable for beginners. The river is easy to access from sites in Cicero, Noblesville, Carmel and Fishers before it flows south through Indianapolis.