It almost seemed like a dream. From the very start, cruising through a large patch of lotus plants, it felt otherworldly. Very peaceful, going at our own pace. Enjoyed the cliff walls of Buffalo Rock and the shallow waters of some side passages. We paddled for 5 hours, covering 8 miles total. After we were done we headed to charming, historic downtown Utica for drinks and dinner at Skoog's Pub & Grill in North Utica, IL. I was impressed with the logistics and operation of the kayaking experience, from the guide* to the equipment and online booking process. *Full disclosure, the guide was my twin sister, but I am being objective...seriously. read more

I have mixed feelings about this kayak tour company. I signed up because although I'm a very capable and seasoned kayaker, I didn't know this river and I like learning about the ecosystems and local wildlife. For this reason I like having tour guides. Going up the river was fine. Coming back went a bit sour. I went as slow as I was capable of paddling or not paddling, but apparently it was too fast for the preference of our tour guide. I was barely touching the water with my paddle. I have no idea how I could have gone any slower. It wasn't humanly possible. After shouting at me several times, he took to chasing me down and ramming my kayak so it'd spin in circles. Would I rent a kayak here and kayak the river alone? Yes. Would I personally use a tour guide here? No I wouldn't. Would I recommend? If you're a family with little kids or a drunk sorority house, absolutely. If you know what you're doing, just go it alone. You'll probably enjoy it more. Edit: If the tour guide had concerns for group safety, he could have said so. Although ramming my kayak with his seems to be a bit of a conflict as far as my safety goes. It was an unprofessional approach when he could have simply explained why he needed me to slow down read more

Kayak Starved Rock - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Ottawa, Illinois

Our guides were the best! Rich and Dave you rule. Seriously, thank you for your patience, approachability and zen. We were a bit nervous about this outing especially because my 71 year old father was with us and doesn't move the easiest. We didn't know what the water conditions would be like either - the water was very calm with the exception of sporadic waves created by fellow boaters / jet skiers. I'm glad we decided to go with the tour instead of going out solo because there are parts of the river like near the yacht club that you need to be careful around. If you're unfamiliar with the Illinois River (like we were) then I recommend you at least explore first on this tour to get acquainted with the river. Two highlights was getting up close to the sandstone bluffs and actually touching them and seeing tons of sun bathing turtles! The group size was ok - about 35 people. Some people struggled and kept bumping into others but not much you can do to control that but to hang back and let them pass. read more

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This is an amazing campground! The sites are beautiful, along with the views, it's minutes from Starved Rock State Park, and the kayaking is excellent. Our entire group had a great time. Also, the communication is outstanding. If you have any issue or question, text them and you will get a response almost instantly. I planned a trip here six months in advance and they were so helpful, friendly; and professional. Highly recommended! read more

Kayak Starved Rock - View from my tent - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Ottawa, Illinois

So much fun. our guide was fantastic. He holds the title "turtle Rick" proudly. It was safe, easy, and a light workout. The hardest part was getting out of the kayak. lol read more

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I recently booked a stay at Kayak Starved Rock Campground and had an extremely disappointing experience. The campgrounds were in poor condition, with overgrown grass and geese droppings everywhere. The bathrooms were unsanitary, with the porta potties emitting a foul odor and situated right next to the kayaks. To make matters worse, there were no showers available on-site, and the website misleadingly suggests that showers are available for $2 at a municipal location, which is actually several miles away. The website also mentions a pool, but there was no pool to be found. After deciding to cancel our stay, I left a review on Google expressing my dissatisfaction. Shockingly, the lady managing the campground contacted me and offered a refund in exchange for removing my negative review. This unethical practice suggests that many of the positive reviews you see might be fabricated or manipulated. To add to this troubling experience, even after they refunded me, I noticed multiple unauthorized charges on my credit card from this business. Therefore, I strongly recommend that no one provide their credit card information to this campground. I strongly advise against trusting the reviews for this campground and would not recommend staying here. It's important for potential visitors to be aware of these deceptive practices to avoid disappointment and potential financial issues. read more

We enjoyed the location for camping. The view was spectacular off the river. The staff were great and highly responsive if needed. Porta potties were kept neat and clean. No small critters, likely due to eagle nest on site, made cooking and having food out easily manageable. Quick drive to hiking starved rock, etc. No water. No electricity. Ample wood on site ($). read more

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Jayne was the Best Tour guide and made sure we saw as much as we could see. The day was perfect and the trip was Superb ! THANK YOU read more

We went on a tandem kayak tour and the entire experience was great. It ended up being only slightly more expensive to rent their kayak than to bring our own. Their instructions were very clear and helpful. We had kayaked before but learned some useful tips from their emails. They were great at accommodating everyone from beginners to people with a ton of experience. The other people in our group were very friendly. When we arrived The line looked long but they moved people over and got everyone checked in fast. Our guide Steve was great and did a good job preparing everyone and was a wealth of information about the area, the river, ecology and history. Their equipment was clean and in good condition, parking was plenty and close to the check in/launch point. Was so nice not having to hassle with roof racks, tying down loading and unloading our kayaks. The scenery on the tour was amazing from kayaking through a lotus field to being able to paddle under giant rock cliffs. Was a perfect day out, highly recommend well worth the money. read more

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Great camping spot on the water! Wonderful breeze and water view right from the campsite. The owner was amazing and resolved a noise complaint immediately. Staff was great. Bathrooms on site were very clean and well stocked. We will definitely be back! read more

Kayak Starved Rock - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Ottawa, Illinois

Beautiful time on the water and enjoyable guide! It was very special to be able to bring my pup along. I wish more businesses (hotels, restaurants, stores, etc) would recognize dogs are family too and we like to have them part of our experiences. Thanks for welcoming them! read more

Great 1/2 day kayak trip! Very conscientious company with good rental equipment, good customer service and a great part of the Illinois River. We saw dozens of egrets, pelicans and other interesting birds. By 1 pm there are dozens of turtles sunning, jumping fish and beautiful scenery. Beginners should take the guided tour. More experienced kayakers there are many bays and little coves to explore. Can't wait to go back in 2024. read more

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We rented a tandem kayak and went selected the 1030 to 1430 time. The attendant was courteous and knowledgeable. We took off to the East, went by the marina and the bluffs, and ended up in the area by Sheehan Island in the two lagoon like areas. Lots of turtles, herons, and generally a pleasant trip. I recommend this place. read more

My friend and I were up in Starved Rock last weekend. We made reservations for this place and we were *not* disappointed. Neither of us had kayaked previously but our guides were amazing. They were supportive, helpful, reassuring and encouraging. Even if you are experienced as many in our group were, it was nice to have the guides talk about what we were looking at and they provided some fun jokes and stories along the way. They took great pictures of us against the beautiful rock formations. If you're on the fence about a tour, don't be, you'll have a great time! read more

Kayak Starved Rock - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Ottawa, Illinois

Had a big group go for the tour for the first time a couple weeks ago and was very educational and fun of course. Turtle Rick and staff were helpful with everything from getting fit into the kayak, to how to use the paddle, to pointing out wildlife and a bit of history. Definitely would go again . Great experience yall read more

Kayak Starved Rock - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Ottawa, Illinois

Too many rules. No speakers allowed whatsoever, quiet time at 10pm. NO SWIMMING. What's the point of staying on the river. Garbage. The campsites are covered in large rocks was always tripping over them and almost rolling an ankle. Didn't even bother to trim the grass/weeds in the campsites. Will not be returning. read more

I had an absolutely incredible experience on the kayak tour at Kayak Starved Rock! From the moment I set foot on the water, I was mesmerized by the breathtaking natural beauty surrounding me. The knowledgeable and friendly guides ensured our safety while imparting fascinating insights about the area's history and ecology. Paddling along the serene waterways, I was treated to stunning views of towering cliffs, lush forests, and vibrant wildlife. The tour struck the perfect balance between adventure and relaxation, allowing me to immerse myself in nature while also indulging my adventurous spirit. I left the tour feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and grateful for the opportunity to explore such a picturesque and captivating location. Without a doubt, the kayak tour at Kayak Starved Rock is a must-do for anyone seeking an unforgettable adventure in nature. The tour guides were absolutely amazing! read more

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Wow, this was absolutely amazing!!! This was our 1st time Kayaking and when I say that Dave and the instructor Rich were patient, funny, and very accommodating...I am not exaggerating. I would highly recommend doing a guided Kayaking experience if this is your first and Kayak Morris is the perfect place to begin your journey. My family will definitely do this again and again. Thanks read more

Kayak Starved Rock - "US" - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Ottawa, Illinois

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Super easy check in & out. Camp grounds were quiet, clean and pretty flat. Each site had a fire pit, grill & picnic table. Kayaking was an absolute blast, we rented a tandum for the day. Took it out in the morning & during sunset. This place rocks & we will return soon! read more

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This place was perfect to camp for a nice relaxing weekend with friends. Our camp site was huge & clean upon arrival. All of the lots are completely shaded & the beach area is nice and sandy. I was honestly shocked that it wasn't swarming with mosquitos. Their outhouses were the cleanest I've ever seen and fully stocked with tp & sanitizer & wiped down inside. Kayaking for the full day was awesome. There's so much to explore on the river. Lots of sandy spots to take a break at to swim or to lay out & tan! The owner was there and talkative with us. Super nice lady & she is really knowledgeable about the outdoors. We enjoyed hearing her story about starting the place and how much bigger it's gotten. Very cool place & I'm definitely coming back soon. read more

Kayak Starved Rock - Kayak - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Ottawa, Illinois

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Great experience all around - booking online was easy, checking in was quick and the kayaking tour itself was wonderful. Our guide was fun, knowledgeable and did a nice job of including everyone in the tour. read more

Kayak Starved Rock - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Ottawa, Illinois

We couldn't have speakers, but the people by us were loud until 3 AM. The strict no noise policy was definitely not followed. Everyone anywhere nearby was kept up half the night, and the sites are extremely close together. My friend didn't stay the 2nd night because it was such a bad experience. It could be a really nice place with some maintenance. Rocks are just dumped in sites and not attempted to even out. We won't be back. read more

went for my birthday. we had 4 people in our group and did the tandem kayaks in a guided tour! first time I'd ever been kayaking and I was definitely nervous. we had such a good time. the guides were friendly and funny. one lead the trip and the other kept an eye out for anyone lagging behind/struggling. I felt super safe the whole time. easy to get there and to park. we pre-booked online. would 100% go again. read more

We had fun, the location was remote and private. The kayaking was amazing. Breathtaking views. However the management of the campground could use some improvement. After we booked the campsite and kayak rental, I received wayyyy too many emails about signing signing the waivers, watching videos, and the huge list of rules. Even after I signed the waivers I still kept getting those emails. Then at the location, the person who checked us in told us we can pick another spot if we want to and just text her the new spot number. We did and set up camp then someone else is texting me telling me they need to check the availability (after camp was set up). In the middle of one of the nights there, she starts texting me numerous texts about why we left the gate open. We never went through the gate or left it open. The texts were not only sent to the wrong person but seemed a bit obsessive. On our last night it stormed pretty good. The morning of check out got a little behind due to the muddy clean up and even having to throw away some gear that was ruined from the storm. Which is fine, I understand this stuff happens when camping, but only 15 minutes after check out the same person was obsessively texting me. Literally 12 texts about hurrying up to check out. I would have been done a lot sooner if I wasn't stopping to load the car to read all these texts. I would love to come back to this beautiful place, once they have new management. read more

Very good experience. Great kayaking trip, guides were very good. Saw lots of wildlife. Eagle, Pelican, egret, turtle, snake. All equipment was well kept. Booked kayak and camping together and they discounted me for booking together. I was early for check in, but allowed me because i was there for kayak. Primitive camping, no electric or water, which was stated when booking. So, just plan accordingly. Camping is right off the river, very scenic. Not too bad of drive from Chicago area to be able to get into nature. read more

Kayak Starved Rock - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Ottawa, Illinois

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Great trip - excellent, friendly guides - a wonderful way to spend the morning - highlights were just the joy of being on the water and then seeing an eagle fly right over us read more

Fun experience with fun and experienced staff. Spending the morning on the water after a long hiking day at Starved Rock was a nice change of pace. We will definitely return on our next visit to Starved Rock. read more

The people that work here are super cool and helpful. It's a beautiful spot but the only unfortunate thing is that most of the camping spots are not very campable. Uneven ground and not very well kept up. Otherwise if you get the right spot it's a cool place to camp. read more

We had Turtle Rick as our guide for the 2 hour guided tour with tandem kayaks. our kids are 9 and 11 and each sat with a parent. It was alot of paddling for our younger kid. But it was beautiful and fun. The whole family had a great time and I loved that Rick took pictures to share for us on FB. read more

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Nice Place... Neatly maintained. Missed to kayak because of first experience. Take Mosquito bite repellent spray and apply during night time to avoid itching later.. Weather was perfect during this time read more

Let me precede this by saying that I am not the outdoorsy type of girl so when my friends asked me to go camping I was apprehensive. However, when we arrived it was such a beautiful environment. We were right on the lake and it was gorgeous. The campground was gorgeous and it was refreshing to see other families on the camp ground. I also spent the day on the lake just watching the water and it was super relaxing. My husband loved it and believe it or not we would definitely go back. Kayak Morris was safe and the staff was super nice. I would recommend taking your own tent and air mattress so that you have creature comforts. It isn't like home, but at least it is comfy and clean. Highly recommend. read more

We had a great time, we'll worth it! The scenery is wonderful and saw some turtles along the way.

Best people, coordination is very good and they really take care while you are in Kayak. People with no swimming experience don't worry they will next to you to assist in case if anything happen Large group of us enjoyed every second in the water read more

We made reservations for our family for a Saturday afternoon kayaking 4 hour trip. We joined a few other families and had two tour guides. The views were amazing and the guides are nice and look out for each of us. We had a great time and will do it again. Other than the view of the Starved Rock, there were some Asian carps jumping out of the water while we kayak. That was really cool to see real close and funny how some people get surprised when that happen. read more

It was so fun. The tour guide was super nice and informative and helpful. She even gave us great recommendations for activities after. 5 out of 5 for sure! read more

Kayak Starved Rock - Having the time of her 6yo life! - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Ottawa, Illinois

The tour guides are very friendly. We did the 9 AM starved rock guided tour for about 2 and a half hours. We saw different kinds of wild life in their natural habitat. I would definitely recommend doing this tour before renting and kayaking on your own. Some parts of the river are shallow so you have to be careful so you don't get stucked read more

Kayak Starved Rock - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Ottawa, Illinois

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We felt safe as Kayak Morris took appropriate precautions during Covid. Kayaks were cleaned between users & employees wore masks. It wasn't too busy to keep distance from other patrons. The main employees were helpful, answering questions and helping us plan our trip. Upon arrival, it took only about 15 minutes to get set up & within half an hour we were in our kayak. We had a peaceful day & enjoyed the I & M Canal. We pulled up on shore and cooled off in the water amongst lots of other boaters & kayakers. It would have been easy to avoid other people completely, though there was plenty. Overall, would recommend. The grounds could use some maintenance, with trash pick up and tidying. We would return! read more

took the kayak trip with my family for my son's 13th birthday. we had a great time! for most of us, this was our first time kayaking and was easy and enjoyable! read more

Great trip for a newbie kayaker. It was quite the workout! Rich was a great tour guide and Brandon was a life saver! Highly recommend kayaking with this company. read more

The guided kayak tour was definitely worth the drive from Chicago. The staff's knowledge of the area and the safety of the group was evident throughout the day. Highly recommend. read more