Prairie State Canoeists upcoming events

Welcome New Members! (2026-08-15)

Sat, 15 Aug 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Date: Saturday, August 15, 2026
Leader: Bill Kessler

Location: Busse Lake Canoe Launch
Skill Level: Beginner
Category: Day Trip
Details: We want to welcome those paddlers who have joined Prairie State Canoeists recently. We will meet at Busse Lake to get acquainted, play water games, practice our paddling technique, and eat lunch.

In addition to a boat and paddle, you must have and wear a properly-fitting PFD at all times on the water. Bring plenty of drinking water, also lunch and a change of clothes, which you can leave in your car. We plan to hit the water about 10:00 AM for about 2 hours of (more or less) organized activity; you can stay as long as you like. Bring a chair for the lunch break.

The Busse Lake Boating Center is accessed from Higgins Road; look for the sign on the south side of Higgins just east of I-290.

Here is a map: https://map.fpdcc.com/#/?poi=189-Busse+Lake+Boating+Center

DuPage River (2026-08-26)

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Date: Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Leader: Steve LaPorte

Co-Leader: Susan Allman
Location: DuPage River
Skill Level: Beginner
Details: We will be paddling the DuPage River from Plainfield to Seil Rd. This section is peaceful and scenic, and is appropriate for anyone, regardless of skill level. Bring lunch, water and your PFD.

Contact the trip leader for information.

Initial sign-up must be done through this page, but all updates will be done by personal e-mail from one of the trip leaders.

I ask that all paddlers sign up. Please do not invite a guest without signing him or her up through the website.

Also, if you decide to sign up anonymously – as is your right – please send me an email through the PSC website, letting me know that you are coming. (That will ensure that you receive any updates, and will allow me to better meet my responsibilities.)

Contact Trip Leader Steve LaPorte for more information.

slaporte2000@gmail.com 630-665-5707

canceled - Labor Day Procrastinators Trip (2026-09-09)

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Date(s): 9/9/2026 through 9/13/2026
Leader: Steve LaPorte

Location: Wisconsin River
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner
Category: Week long camping/paddle trip
Details: If you wanted to take a river trip over the Labor Day weekend but were unable to, this trip is just what you need. (People who paddled on Labor Day are welcome, too.) All the liveries know that the weekend after Labor Day is the deadest weekend of the season, so we can expect to have the Wisconsin River to ourselves.

This is a five day trip for those who can get a couple of days off work, and a weekend trip for those who can’t. We will meet at Arena in the afternoon of 9/9/24 and take two days to paddle down to Muscoda. On 9/12/26 we will pick up the weekenders in Muscoda and paddle two more days down to Woodman.

This trip is river camping, and is appropriate for anyone with “advanced beginner” skills.

E-mail for more information.

(The deadline to register for this trip is 8/1/26. If nobody signs up by that date, the trip will be canceled.)

Contact Trip Leader Steve LaPorte for more information.

slaporte2000@gmail.com 630-665-5707

Kickapoo River, WI (2026-09-11)

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Date(s): September 11-13, 2026
Leader: Sherri Graham & John Anderson
Co-Leaders: John & Marilyn Ziegler
Location: Ontario, WI
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner
Category: Base camping
Details: This is a very popular annual trip. We don't expect any fall colors this time, but the river valley as seen from the lookout at the Wildcat Mountain State Park is always breathtaking. The Kickapoo is known as the 'crookedist river in Wisconsin'; it is intimate and unspoiled and never disappoints!

Some of the access points on the river are managed by the Kickapoo Valley Reserve; they have a nice flyer about the river.

We have a group camp site reserved at Wildcat Mountain State Park (the one in the trees) for both Friday and Saturday nights. We will have our traditional feast/community dinner and campfire on Saturday night.

Call/e-mail for details, to reserve your spot for the weekend, and to sign up for what to contribute to the dinner!

Sugar River (Nelson Rd. to Yale Bridge) (2026-09-16)

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 14:30:00 GMT

Date: Wednesday, September 16, 2026
Leader: Susan Allman
Location: Sugar River Park (Nelson Rd.)
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner
Category: Day Trip

Details: The isolated, slow paced Sugar River flows through a sandy basin. There can be some downfall that require a bit of maueuvering so good boat control is necessary. The trip from Nelson Road to Yale Bridge is 7.5 miles. We may paddle to the take-out at Yale Bridge for lunch, so be prepared with enough water & a snack. This trip can be extended another 7 miles to Two Rivers Landing. TBD. Dress for the water & the weather. Car shift 9:30.

Ozark Trip (2026-09-19)

Sat, 19 Sep 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Date(s): Saturday, September 19, 2026 through Sunday, September 27, 2026
Leader: Steve LaPorte

Location:  Southern Missouri
Skill Level:   Advanced Beginner
Category: Week long camp/paddle
Details:  Come join us for a week of paddling in the Ozarks. We plan to paddle the Current River from Cedargrove to Two Rivers, plus possibly sections of the Jacks Fork and the Eleven Point. If river levels go up, more options may become available.

We plan to arrive on September 19st. Paddling days will be the 20th through the 26th. We will break camp on the 27th.

We will be base camping at Round Spring, located on Rt. 19 just north of Eminence, MO.

Information will be provided to anyone interested.

(The deadline to register for this trip is 8/15/26. If nobody signs up by that date, the trip will be canceled. Also bear in mind that Round Spring campground is a popular campground, so reserving your campsite early is advised.)

Contact Trip Leader Steve LaPorte for more information.

slaporte2000@gmail.com 630-665-5707

Kishwaukee River (Belvidere to Cherry Valley) (2026-09-30)

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 14:30:00 GMT

Date: Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Leader: Susan Allman

Co-leader: Steve LaPorte

Location: Belvidere to Cherry Valley
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner
Category: Day trip
Details: This section of the Kishwaukee River can have downfall and swift current so good boat skills are required. It will be an 8 mile paddle. Bring water, lunch, PFD, and dress appropriately for the water & weather. Car shift 9:30.

Contact trip leader for more details.

Kishwaukee River - Cherry Valley to Atwood (2026-10-14)

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 14:30:00 GMT

Date: Wednesday, October 14, 2026

Leader: Susan Allman

Co-leader: Steve LaPorte
Location: Cherry Valley
Skill Level: Beginner
Category: Day trip
Details: This is the last Wednesday trip of the year. The trip will be from Baumann Park in Cherry Valley to Atwood Park. It will be a 9 mile trip. We will stop for lunch. Bring water, lunch, PFD (must be worn on the river), and dress appropriately for the water & weather. Car shift 9:30. Contact trip leader for more details.