Paddling

This rocky bottomed stream flows through a beautiful, wooded valley and, with the exception of Belvidere, New Milford, and Cherry Valley, has little urban development near its shores. Except during heavy rainfall, the stream is relatively clear, and in the spring you can see smallmouth and rock bass hovering over their beds. Many rocky riffles and gravel bars characterize the 30-mile course from Belvidere, and during the last three miles to the mouth, the stream becomes abraded with many channels–some navigable and some not–but all are interesting and wild. Fishing on the stream is excellent. Going from Baumann Park in Cherry Valley to Kishwaukee River Forest Preserve is 4 miles and takes approximately two hours. An easy two + hour trip is from the canoe access at Kishwaukee River Forest Preserve to the ramp at Atwood Park (Atwood Outdoor Education Center). There are other canoe launches at Espenscheid Memorial Forest Preserve, Oak Ridge Forest Preserve (south branch). There are four canoe access launch sites in Belvidere and Atwood Park in New Milford. The Kishwaukee River south branch from Oak Ridge to Blackhawk Springs is definitely for only canoes–narrow, winding, trees down, and so shallow at times it is only inches deep where you have to get out on foot. After crossing under Perryville Bridge into Blackhawk Springs (posted on walk bridge), the south & north branches join and the river becomes deeper and wider. After entering Kishwaukee River Forest Preserve under Blackhawk Road, it becomes shallow again with islands and there is a “Rock” dam going across the river at the Sportsmen’s Park.