You're not truly a Rockford original if you've never floated down the Kish on an inflatable tube. Tragic events and new laws made it difficult to grab a cooler full of your beverage of choice to enjoy while floating down the river, to the point of requiring a license for your tube. Now, at least the law no longer exists. And, a short one-hour drive will get you to a campground with a regulated awesome floating experience.

The ultimate tuber Illinois destination sits in Sheridan, just shy of an hour away from Bypass 20/39 in Rockford, at Rolling Oaks Campground. The float trip on Fox River begins at the campground (which provides tubes for campers) and even provides a shuttle from the get-out point back to Rolling Oaks.

  • Yes, you can pack a cooler.
  • Yes, they provide the tube,
  • Yes, you must wear sneakers or water shoes.
  • Yes, life jackets are available upon request.

The three-mile trip will take 3-4 hours with the first tubes setting sail at 9 AM and the final at 3 PM, times in between are at your wish. It's $20 for adults and $15 for floaters under 18, cash only.


JB Love is ½ of  Q98.5's Lil Zim & JB In The Morning, weekday mornings from 5:00 a.m. to 10 a.m. Follow him on TwitterInstagram, and Facebook.

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