A STAYCATION ON THE FOX RIVER

a STAYCATION ON THE Fox River By Bruce Heidlauf, Mill Race Cyclery

How far would you drive to get away from the hassle of everyday life to kayak on a sparkling river, with great blue heron flying overhead, a random beaver sighting and adorable restaurants nearby? You don’t have to go far. Where, you ask? The Fox River, of course! The Fox River is friendly and inviting for a large demographic of people. It works well for family outings, church groups and even an outdoor date. Beginner-style kayaks don’t tip easily and do not require a lot of instruction on how to use them. You simply strap on your life jacket and go. Below are some of our favorite places to launch a kayak or canoe, right here in the Fox River Valley. John Duerr Forest Preserve in South Elgin is a great place to start. It has parking, bathrooms and features a quiet wooded setting, perfect for a picnic with space for the kids to run around and play. It’s undoubtedly one of the prettiest parts of the river in this area, with a boat launch that’s easy to manage. The 5-mile scenic drift downstream takes you to Ferson Creek Park in St. Charles. This park also has a nice amount of parking, restrooms and picnic tables. Beware: On the weekends, this stretch of river is also popular with motorboats. If you don’t have your own kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard, you can rent one from Mill Race Cyclery (www.MillRace.com), located in Geneva on the corner of State Street and Route 25. Renters from the shop enter the Fox above the dam on the east side of the river. This section of the river allows kayakers to paddle upstream to St. Charles and picnic at Mt. St. Mary’s Park or grab an ice cream before returning back downstream to Geneva. After your excursion, it is very popular to stroll into town to grab lunch, chocolate or a drink. For a little more adventure, kayakers can depart from below the dam in Geneva and travel under a handful of bridges to the quaint town of Batavia. There is an easy portage (carrying your kayak) around the dam to complete the 6-mile trip to North Aurora Island Park. In this case, a shuttle is required to get back upstream to Geneva. Whether it is kayaking, paddleboarding or biking, the Fox River provides plenty of opportunity to get away from it all and take an afternoon vacation. Explore the beautiful area of the Tri-Cities from the water for a whole new perspective. Stop in and see us!