Ckg in was no problem. We had 14 in our group, with life jackets, coolers, personal packs, and had to cram into a van that seats 12 - not a good experience. Arrived at launch 'area' ~ side of the road with @ least a 30 deg. downslope of jagged rocks to the river's edge. Our driver (Dan) off loaded canoes from the trailer rack & we were left to take them down to the river, along with all of our gear! WTF? It wasn't safe for my 62 y.o. self & my 50 y.o. brother didn't need to be manipulating the heavy aluminum canoes (6 of them). Additionally, it wasted a lot of time that we could've been on the water. End of trip wasn't better. Off loaded at a small beach area within a campground. The van/trailer was backed up to beach area, but we had to go ashore about 8 paces before the beach because there we a bunch of kidz playing in the water. Again, our group had to unload our stuff from canoes AND haul them up a berm & over to the trailer (Dan may have moved 1). It was quite obvious he copped an attitude, by his changed demeanor from our interaction with him @ beginning of trip. We had no idea why the change, but didn't imagine it had anything to do with us. Upon returning to the office to ck out, we were told to hang up our 14 life vests (been on a lot of canoe trips & never had to do the staffs' jobs before - smh). As our group was in the lot saying goodbye to one another, one member approached me to say 'I know why Dan was angry when he picked us up. I heard him tell the lady behind the desk that we didn't go ashore at the beach right by his trailer, so he had to haul the canoes over to it.'. SMH We tried this business on the Kankakee River to save us drive time to Tippecanoe River (riverside rentals), which has been our 'go to' for the last few years. We'll be going back to them now & I won't complain about the drive time (lol). MUCH better service (staff puts canoes in & takes them out), $20/canoe cheaper & they're fiberglass so they're lighter), they use a short school bus to transport which provides plenty of room for our group/gear. And, at the end (knowing we're pooped out) they even help us remove our gear from the canoes! Note; the kankakee river route wasn't woodsy (residential) & was often parallel to back roads which were busy with cars/motorcycles - so noisy as well, there were speed boats zooming all over near the beach area where we needed to go ashore, and there weren't ANY good places to stop to stretch or have lunch - too high embankments & MUCK 6" deep (we were told there were plenty of island to stop at - sure, you can stop but you can't access islands). We were also told there was a good current, which was only true in a very few areas where the water was shallow so we didn't appreciate the heavy canoes. All in all it was a lot of work for us & a big disappointment :( read more

We had a great group kayak trip with Reed's! All employees were friendly and hard-working, making our trip extremely enjoyable. The life vests and kayaks were clean and ready for use, and the transportation to/from the river was comfortable and prompt. Thank you for a terrific outing! read more

Reed's Canoe Trips - Fun on the Kankakee River! - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Kankakee, Illinois

I've been going to Reeds for canoeing over the span of 30 years. I can honestly say that this rental was the easiest and most organized. The woman at the desk was so friendly and helpful. Reeds website spells out everything very clearly, and you're able to fill out the release at home, so it saves everyone time at the counter. Gone are the days of hot, old school buses. One was a newer model, and another, a van, was air conditioned. The drivers wore masks, which I appreciated. When we got to the drop-off site, the canoes were ready and waiting for us. When we got to the pickup site, the men helped us get our canoes up, and loaded them up. There were a few more of us than there was room on the bus, but the shuttle showed up a minute later, and took 4 of us back, without making us wait for more people to fill it up. More about the trip: we did the easy trip (#2) on a beautiful day without paddling much. We didn't really find many places to pull over to stop on the short trip, but I think there are more on the longer trips. Be prepared to hear some highway noise at some parts, and on Saturdays, plenty of lawnmowers since the shores are lined with homes. It didn't affect the experience too much. The canoeing was exactly as described: not too high and not too low. There were a couple motorized watercraft, but they slowed down when they saw canoers. One small suggestion I'd make: offer the seating pads ($1) at reservation time, or even better, just build it into the price. I don't think anyone is going to quibble about a dollar or two added to a $63 rental, and it would eliminate that extra transaction. Thanks again, Reeds. We'll be back! read more

Reed's Canoe Trips - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Kankakee, Illinois

Brought a good-sized group of Scouts out for a fun day on the water. Staff was really friendly, and they made having a fun canoeing day really easy! read more

It was excellent! The trip was so beautiful and relaxing! They run a bit late at times but understandably so as they constantly run back and forth! Will be back! read more

Quick, helpful, friendly! I've rented from them twice and will continue to do so. A wonderful hassle-free way to spend a relaxing day on the Kankakee! read more

We do at least one Group outing a year and Reed's never fails us! They are always accommodating, on-time and really courteous; especially since we usually have members of our Group that don't show up (we always do the first AM trip on Saturdays)! The equipment is always clean, in good working order and there is so much natural beauty all along the Kankakee River: we saw Blue Herons, turkey vultures, snakes, turtles and a multitude of butterflies and dragonflies. Even though they're very good about last-minute bookings, it's best to have a reservation as good weather days fill up quickly. read more

Went canoeing for the 1st time with my church and we had some much fun. The lady at the start was kind and informative. Told us what to look for, what to do, and what not to do. Got a ride to the start. Got picked up at the end. So much fun. Must do. read more

We rented canoes from here this summer for a Girl Scout canoe trip and had an absolute blast! They accommodated our large group and dropped us off at the river and returned to pick us up at the end of the route. I'm taking a star off because the life vests they gave us were pretty old and kind of yucky, which probably doesn't bother most people since they might not even wear them the whole time, but since this was a Girl Scout trip we were all required to wear them the whole time. They also dropped us off without giving us many instructions on how to operate the canoes, but luckily we had someone in our group that had gone canoeing before and was able to guide everyone else on what to do. They also told us there would be sandy beaches along the trip to stop at to eat lunch, but apparently the river was higher than normal when we were there so the sandy beaches were underwater and we went almost to the end of our trip before finding a place to stop since we were looking for these elusive sandy beaches. A little more knowledgable staff would be nice, as well as newer cleaner life jackets, but overall a great place to go on a float trip down the Kankakee river. read more

Reed's Canoe Trips - Girl Scout canoe trip - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Kankakee, Illinois

I had a great time with this place. Great get-away from Chicago city life. There is a great state park called Indian Caves (yes there are caves) nearby after kayaking/canoeing. They do all the moving for you (lifting kayaks to the spot, wait for you at the end/call them before you get to the end of the route, bring kayaks back and provide transportation). It is a great path along the kankakee river, filled with big blue herons, sand bars, islands, and a current that carries you if you're tired. Wear a hat and sun screen because the sun is a force to be reckon with. Everyone is professional and reasonable. You get a discount for 6 individual kayaks or canoes (not 6 people). If someone is concerned about kayaking alone, they have doubles available for even cheaper when split. Everything (life vest, boat, and paddles) simply have to be brought back in the shape it was rented to get the deposit back ($10.00). I had an overall great experience and will return. read more

About an hour out of Chicago is Kankakee. Not the most notable town but one that is worth a trip to if you are interested in canoeing on the Kankakee River. And if you are interested in canoeing- the Kankakee is a great river to do it on. It is a Class I river- perfect for families and beginners alike, it is clean, and it has a variety of things that keep it interesting like islands, sandbars and in some cases, rapids (okay- so they are little rapids but rapids none the less) I called ahead and was told the river was high, there was no wait- but that I had to get there by 2 as that was when the last canoes went out. Instructions in hand- I headed south to find this place. Reeds is interesting unto itself. In addition to renting canoes out of the back garage- they also rent every kind of power tool, small machinery and other things that I didn't even know what they were for. The nice woman told us that for 3 people- one of us would have to go in a kayak with the other two in a canoe. Great. We collected our life vests, paddles, made a quick stop in the outhouse (no public indoor restrooms here) and waited for the van to pick us up. We drove about 20 minutes to the side of the river. Seriously. It was just a muddy section of river without a launch pad of any type. I thought that if the canoe was going to tip- if was going to be here as I sat in the canoe sunk in the mud with the guy pushing us off. But we launched successfully and were quickly on our way. There are a couple of bars along the river that you can pull up to to have lunch or a beer. But the real pleasure is the scenery along the river. You go around a few islands, navigate where the river gets shallow and you scrape the bottom, and just enjoy a few hours outdoors. The funny thing is- that this was supposed to be a 3 hour tour. They tell you when you start that you need to look for the railroad trestle bridge as just past that is where you pull out of the water as there is a dam just past that and you don't want to go over the dam. Well- given how fast the water was moving and we were paddling- we were to that trestle bridge in just over an hour! I was sure that there had to be a mistake- but then you see the sign telling you to get out of the water. You beach your canoe on another muddy area and wait to be picked up and returned to your car. Given all the muddy launch sites- you may just want to wear some type of footwear that doesn't get stuck in the mud. My sandals just weren't doing it and you don't want to go barefoot. Canoes cost about $52 to rent and the kayak was $42 for the 6 mile trip (slightly higher if you do the 12 mile trip) There are several sand bars that you can swim at and plenty of places to pull up to enjoy a lunch or break. Don't forget to put your cell phone in a plastic baggie as you are going to need it to call for your pick up at the end of the trip. All in all- a great way to spend an afternoon enjoying some of the sights and wildlife that are on the Kankakee River. read more

This is my second trip this season and as always the staff is wonderful and very helpful. The kayaks are very clean and the life vests are new, clean and plentiful. Love the quiet solitude and the chance to see deer, bald eagles, turtles and of course, geese. Looking forward to my next visit. Highly recommend Reeds Canoe Trips! read more

I have booked numerous canoe/kayak trips through Reeds over the last 20 yrs. The staff have always ben friendly and helpful. The prices are reasonable and the equipment is very good. I would highly recommend them. read more

Looking for a fun summertime activity in the great outdoors? Then I definitely recommend giving Reed's a call to set up an outing on the great Kankakee river either for yourself or for a group of your closest friends. On the day of your trip, you'll pull up and leave your car in the parking lot, sign up for either a full or half day excursion and pick out your life jacket and floatation device. From there, you'll board one of their many buses which will take you to one of two locations (depending on which trip you signed up for) up river. When there, the very helpful staff will unload your canoe for you and pull it on shore. After you're securely in, they'll help you shove off and you're on your way! These trips are a lot more fun if you're with a group of people, but still a good time alone or with a friend. Depending on the current, you can control the length of your trip by either by paddling or just floating peacefully down stream...giving your experience a sense of relaxation and tranquility. However, if it's excitement you're looking for, the layout of the river will force you summon your nautical spirit as you find yourself navigating your way through and around some islands, rocks and 50' waterfalls. A challenge, but nothing a little patience and a bit of athletic ability can't handle. (just kidding about the waterfalls...there are none. I was just seeing if you're paying attention) Finally, after seeing the bridge they told you about at registration, you'll come to the end of your trip and pull up on the shore where the staff will be eagerly waiting to help you get out and load your canoe on the trailer. All you have to do is get back on the bus and head back to your car! A few tips to help your day be more enjoyable: 1) Pay attention to the rainfall amounts in the weeks prior to your trip. Too little rain can cause a shallow river and you'll be scraping the bottom along your voyage, and too much will create a fast current which can be a little dangerous for the first time explorer. 2) Going with a group? Choose your fellow boaters wisely! Nothing's worse than getting stuck with someone who complains all the way down the river. 3) Stop off at the VFW bar on the banks of the river mid-way through your trip. You can grab a bite to eat from their kitchen and have a beer or two at their bar. Great people inside so please, respect them & BEHAVE yourselves! 4) When with a group, pull along side each other and link canoes with your oars. It's much easier to talk & laugh when you don't have to shout across the river to each other. 5) Take your time. This experience will go much faster than you may realize, so look around and enjoy the sights while you can. It's worth it, I assure you! 6) Most importantly, be safe and HAVE FUN!!! read more

Reed's Canoe Trips - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Kankakee, Illinois

I was a little reluctant to book reading many of the previous reviews. I can honestly say my family and I had an A+++ experience. The staff was extremely polite, helpful and informative. We had a chance to see Bald Eagles, Cranes, and many geese. We noticed a few people fishing, will definitely have to try this next time. When we made it to the Canoe Landing at the end the Reeds crew was already there to help us ashore and transport us back to the parking lot. I will definitely be returning next year. read more

Expect that you and everything will get wet Expect to tip over. Expect some waiting. Then I expect you'll have a great time. Bring plastic bags. Bring food and beverages. Bring sunscreen and hats. read more

The first two times we came to this place it was super nice. We enjoyed it so much we drive an hour to come here. This time the only available time they had was an 8:30 in the morning. We were running 10 minutes late so we called on the way to let them know we were going to be late and the lady on the phone was very rude but she said it was okay and when we get here we have to hurry. When we arrived we ran in to sign the waivers to leave and she was again very rude and told us they had left already and waited 10 min for us. They clearly did not because we arrived at 9 min late. Very upsetting driving an hour being told we could still go and then not getting a deposit back AND dealing with rude customer service as well. Also if you are worried about COVID guidelines forget about it. read more

Customer service was extremely grumpy. Didn't seem like any of the employees wanted to be bothered by customers. If you've never kayaked or canoed then I wouldn't recommend this place - they gave no directions and no safety tips. They just call your name and push your canoe off into the water. Everything about the actual experience was great (except crashing into one of the bridges) but also terrifying for a first timer with no help given. read more

My daughter and I had a lot of fun renting a double kayak for only $72. That included a drop-off up river and a pick-up down river about 3 hours later. We would definitely do it again. Next time, we'll remember to rent seat cushions for an extra $1 each, and bring more bottled water and snacks. read more

Not sure why this had a one star review a few days ago. We had a good experience today and have used this canoe/kayak service twice before. Pretty basic but they provide what you came for in a friendly and efficient manor. read more

Professional and helpful. They take care of everything so all you have to worry about is paddling and lunch. We took the kayak trip from Momence to Aroma Park. Although the river is wide, it's slow current and relative shallow depth is perfect for a beginner. Definitely will be coming back this summer. read more

me and i think 8 of my friends did this on my birthday last august. we really enjoyed the experience, reeds was friendly and efficient. when we got there the boats were on the trailer ready to go. then we showed up after our trip a little late n they still gave us our hold money back. (they have you pay an extra 20$ as an incentive to make it to the checkpoint on time) very enjoyable and would do it again read more