Cruise with the Critters: Must-See Wildlife While Paddleboarding Illinois!
Golden sunrises, serene lakes, and the gentle glide of a paddleboard: this is Illinois like you've never experienced before. Amidst the splash of oars and the rhythmic lapping of waves against the board, there's another world waiting to be discovered. A world where deer sip cautiously at water's edge, where ospreys dance in the azure above, and the very water beneath holds secrets of its own. To truly uncover the wild heart of Illinois, one must leave the hiking trails and take to the water, paddleboard in tow let us begin our journey into the best places to view wildlife from a sup in Illinois!
Key Highlights
Eagle Creek State Park: Witness bald eagles, deer, and over 200 bird species in their natural habitat.
Siloam Springs State Park: Glide alongside herons, egrets, and abundant songbirds.
Apple River Canyon State Park: Marvel at peregrine falcons and the vibrant kingfishers along rocky shores.
Chain O'Lakes State Park: Encounter trumpeter swans and muskrats among interconnected lakes.
Buffalo Rock State Park: Spot bald eagles and great blue herons along the Rock River.
Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge: Observe pelicans and egrets in this restored wetland.
Mississippi Palisades State Park: Enjoy sightings of river otters and a myriad of bird species.
Kankakee River State Park: Watch for sandhill cranes, ducks, and geese.
Peoria Lakes: Explore habitats of ospreys, cormorants, and waterfowl on the Illinois River.
Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Park: Discover foxes, deer, and owls around the lakeshore.
Lake Shelbyville: Look out for eagles, herons, and river otters.
Carlyle Lake: Observe pelicans, cormorants, and migrating birds.
Clinton Lake State Recreation Area: Search for beavers, river otters, and warblers among flooded timber.
Pyramid State Park: Paddleboard among swans, herons, and mink.
Evergreen Lake: See ospreys, cormorants, and over 200 bird species.
Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area: Scan for eagles, herons, and shorebirds.
Matthiessen State Park: Encounter herons, bitterns, and migrating warblers.
Lake of the Woods: Watch for herons, kingfishers, and over 100 bird species.
Washington County Conservation Area: Glide through wetlands spotting deer, foxes, and coyotes.
Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish & Wildlife Area: Observe herons, egrets, wood ducks, and abundant wildlife.