KAYAKING IN THE ‘BURBS We first discovered our love for kayaking on Mom's Little Black Book Road Trip out east when we toured the marshes of Cape May, NJ via our tandem kayaks in the Atlantic Ocean. Since then, my girls have been asking to go again; so we went in search of kayaking in the ‘burbs. After discovering the very inexpensive boat rental options through the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, we opted to rent a few kayaks at Silver Lake at Blackwell Forest Preserve in Warrenville.
Just a quick 20-minute drive from southwest Naperville, we felt like we were a million miles from home. There was a feeling of solitude in the woods as we paddled off on the quiet waters of the 62-acre lake. For only $10/hour you can rent a single or double kayak (amongst their boat choices), which was perfect for the kids to burn energy; and turned out to be a fantastic arm workout for mom – nothing like entertaining the kids, getting your calisthenics in, and feeling like you are on vacation all at the same time! What I love about the boat rental options through the forest preserve is that they have options for the entire family – all ages – big and small! Their rowboats can fit five people, so if you are a family like most that has kids ranging in age from toddlers to teens, you can rent a rowboat for mom/dad and the younger kids, while letting the older kids (over 13) have the independence of a kayak.
Beyond boat rentals, the forest preserve offers campsites, fishing rentals for free, hiking, archery, tubing and sledding (yes – come back in the snow – they have tubes and snow shoes to rent for $5 each), and so much more! Overview.... Visitors can rent canoes, kayaks, rowboats, and electric trolling motors, as well as launch private boats at this popular DuPage County lake. The area has a vending machine, restroom facilities, campsites, boat launches, fishing equipment and bait, and offers wheelchair-accessible docks.
Blackwell County Forest Preserve Silver Lake, Warrenville (630) 933-7248 www.dupageforest.com
Boat Rental Hours Silver Lake opens April 5 Weekends 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Memorial Day to Labor Day Weekdays 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Holiday/weekends 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Price: Rowboat, canoe, kayaks $10/hour or $50/day; boat with electric trolling motor $15/hour or $75/day
about the writer Naperville mom Kristen Kucharski graduated from Illinois State University in 1992 with an International Business Degree. She is married and has two energetic daughters and her house is always full of children. Kristen’s column titled, Mom's Little Black Book, is a monthly feature written for moms who are looking for ways to keep their kids busy.
