Council Hill to Galena Kayak Trip (3.5 hr trip includes shuttle)

Trip Length: 3.5 to 4 Hours

Experience Level: Intermediate

Starting point: Nuts Outdoors 336 Spring St. Galena, IL (bus pickup location & retail store)

Launching Point: Wilderness Landing

Return Point: Dockside in Galena

You start at our store location. We pick you up on a bus and take you to our private launch site. When the water is up, this section of the river provides some of the best kayaking. Often the water is low enough that you will have to navigate around rocks or the occasional sandbar. The faster-moving water with patches of shallows also makes for some great Small Mouth Bass fishing. So if you are looking to fish on your trip, this is our best option!

Also, during this trip you will find the river is funneled to a narrow pass, where the water speeds up and there is a small drop.  The small drop is easy, but you will get a little splash which feels great on a hot summer day.

This trip is an extension of our Buck Hill to Galena trip and requires a 15-minute longer ride.  So there will be a small wait while we drop off paddlers at Buckhill before we take you to Council Hill.  The trip is longer, than Buckhill, but not technically more difficult.

Must Bring Items:

• Water, Lots of Water!

Recommended Items:

• Waterproof Bags (Sold at Nuts Outdoors)
• Snacks/Food
• Swimsuit/Water Shoes
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Bug spray

Things To Know:

• This trip is down a public waterway that goes through farms.  You might see cows in the water.  Just approach slow, do not try to startle them and go around them slowly.
• This trip may involve an electric cattle fence.  Just use your paddle to slide under the fence at the center of the river. The electric fence is not dangerous and uses a safe current to keep the cattle in their grazing area.  Ask staff the day of your trip about any questions.