Summer weather is here and many are itching to get on the water. A few weeks ago Mother Nature teased us with a stretch of near-90 degree days but Memorial Day weekend was spectacular if you consider previous years' weather. Finally, it looks like we're in for a stretch of mid-to-upper 70s for the foreseeable future.

Orange River Access sign with blurry rafts behind
Kara Grubis
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Many folks took advantage of the great weather over the recent four-day weekend by dusting off their boats and pontoons and heading for a lake or river. Personally, I've clocked in 8 hours ours of kayaking time on the Rock River.

Is it river floating season? Absolutely it is but the water may be a little chilly.

Man floating down a canal in a blow up tube
kitzcorner
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If kayakers on are the water and people have their boats parked at a sandbar it is definitely river floating season. Don't let anyone tell you differently.

Oftentimes you will find people floating down a river with their own tubes and gear, this is especially true for the Kishwaukee River in Northern Illinois. I spent many weekends over the summer (circa 10+ years ago) floating down the Kish. The trips were usually filled with beer, obscenities, and bad decisions (probably).

Over the past few years I've come to love organized float trips where I don't have to worry about transporting tubes or who will park their car at which point. It's so much easier in general and just as much fun if not more.

Where are some of the best places offering organized floating in Illinois?

I did a little searching for you on YELP! and here are the top places in the Land of Lincoln.

Yelp!
Yelp!
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Yelp!
Yelp!
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Yelp!
Yelp!
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If you've got a great suggest for where to float tell us about it in an email.

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