Kayaking
Wildlife Prairie Park allows kayaking on any of our 7 fishing lakes (see map below). Bring your own kayak or rent one of ours!
We recommend launching on Deep Lake, Beaver Lake, East Horseshoe Lake, North Lake or Taylor Lake (on the west side of the park). Caboose Lake is possible, but not very big due to some of it being fenced off for bison and elk. Access to some of our lakes may be more difficult than others.
If you have questions about guidelines please reach out to: recreation@wildlifeprairie.org.
Kayak & Stand Up Paddle Board Rentals
Open Now!
New this year is a self serve kayak vending machine – the first of its kind in the area from PaddleEZ! Rent a tandem kayak or stand up paddle board for 1 hour to explore Deep Lake. Rentals open up 7 days prior and are first come first serve.
Rentals are available everyday to Park guests during regular Park hours.
Sunday – Friday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Lodging guests will be able to access the rentals from 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. every day of the week.
Rental Prices
Regular park admission still applies to non-members.
Tandem Sit on Top Kayak: $18 per hour
Stand Up Paddle Board: $18 per hour
Kayak Rental Details
An adult 18 years or older must be present. Online reservations only. A fee will be charged to booking credit card for lost or damaged kayaks.
Must complete waiver to reserve.
Reservations for fishing kayaks must be made by 5 p.m. the day prior for 9 a.m. session. All other kayaking sessions can be reserved up to 1 hour prior to the session.
2024 West Side & Taylor Lake Closings
May 28: Taylor Lake is closed from 4:30 to 7 p.m.
June 1: West Side is closed until Noon for the Illinois Wilds Triathlon.
Kayaking Tours
Join us for a Kayak Tour of one of the Wildlife Prairie Park Lakes! Explore a lake for 1 hour with our recreation staff and volunteers. Rent a kayak for the tour or reserve a spot to bring your own. Once you have purchased a ticket, please email recreation@wildlifeprairie.org to reserve a sit in single kayak, sit on single kayak, or sit on tandem kayak First come first serve.
September 21, 2024 Kayaking Tour
10 a.m. on Deep Lake
Rental Prices
Regular park admission still applies to non-members.
Single & Tandem Kayak: $18 per hour
3 Sit In Single Kayaks, 2 Sit On Single Kayaks, 2 Sit On Tandem Kayaks
Bring Your Own Kayak: FREE with Paid Admission
Kayaking Party
Booking Now!
Kayaking Parties are available during the week on Taylor Lake or Deep Lake and Beaver Lake. Your 1.5 hour rental includes admission to the Park! Please submit an inquiry form or email recreation@wildlifeprairie.org with questions. Once party is booked, the waiver and other documents will be emailed to the party organizer.
Pricing
Members: $180
Non-Members: $230
Fishing Kayak Rentals
We have 2 fishing kayaks exclusively available to VIA Members for FREE every day on Beaver Lake during Park Hours. To reserve the kayaks email recreation@wildlifeprairie.org.
Reservations must be made by 5 p.m. the day prior for 9 a.m. session. Seats can be picked up and returned at the Ticket Gate.
Our Lakes
Beaver Lake
Deep Lake
North Lake
Taylor Lake
East Horseshoe Lake
West Horseshoe Lake
Caboose Lake
