Race Spectator Suggestions
If you have family or friends who want to follow you down the river, here are some places they could view the river from with convenient parking. These locations are listed in order from Start Line to Finish Line. They would not have time to stop at all of them.
1.) Start Line Area: After dropping off paddlers and boats, move your vehicle well west of unloading area and park either on north side of Oak Spring Rd. or in Lake Minear parking lot, and walk back to Start Line area. Then walk down river to where boats are lining up and leaving. 42.28847411475875, -87.93820843048952
1.) Start Line Area: After dropping off paddlers and boats, move your vehicle well west of unloading area and park either on north side of Oak Spring Rd. or in Lake Minear parking lot, and walk back to Start Line area. Then walk down river to where boats are lining up and leaving. 42.28847411475875, -87.93820843048952
2.) Route 60 Trail bridge: There is a canoe launch parking area south of Route 60 on west side of river. More parking in mall parking lot just west of river. Walk to Des Plaines River Trail bridge. 42.240350336268854, -87.94025748596434
3.) Half Day Forest Preserve: West of river and east of Milwaukee Ave. Park at Shelter C, walk northeast to Trail, and follow north to Trail bridge over river. A nice walk. 42.21699547960456, -87.9349583681522
4.) Edward Ryerson Conservation Area: East side of river. Park in large parking lot. Walk due west to river on trail which is on north side of parking lot. A great viewing spot. 42.18234431967147, -87.91476850504722
5.) Minithon Start at Dundee Rd: Park in Potawatomi Woods parking area. East of river and north of Dundee. Walk to Minthon start area. Port-o-John here. 42.139897, -87.902771
6.) Dam No.1 Woods West - Picnic Grove: West side of river at intersection of Hintz Road and Milwaukee Ave. Site of former Dam No.1. There is also viewing on east side of river on Dam Wood Rd. - access from Dundee Rd.
Dam 1 West: 42.12522368381856, -87.89707299168515
Dam 1 East:
7.) Allison Woods Canoe Landing and Picnic Grove: West of Milwaukee Ave. and south of Des Plaines River Rd. intersection. Easy location with toilets.
8.) Finish Line Area: Park in Lots A, B, or C and take shuttle bus to finish line area at Dam No. 2 Woods. Bring picnic food and supplies and enjoy the afternoon after greeting your paddler(s).
- LOT A: 42.087251, -87.885886 (Camp Pine Woods Forest Preserve parking lot, east of Rt. 45, south Euclid/W. Lake Ave.)
- LOT B: 42.088071, -87.884953 (east of river, north of Lake-Euclid Ave.)
- LOT C: 42.089194, -87.891333 (west of river, north of Lake-Euclid Ave.)
Marathon Hotline:847-604-2445
Info@canoemarathon.com
Info@canoemarathon.com