Start Your Next Adventure Here!
Our trips cater to the active outdoor enthusiast who wants to enjoy and learn about his or her natural surroundings in a safe atmosphere. Our customers are interested in building their kayaking/canoeing skills and further promoting their healthy way of life.
Secondly, we offer many different variations of self-guided/guided trips that take you in different directions so you will never be returning on the same path. Kayaks glide very easily and can travel equally well upstream and down on our waterways. The Canal does not have any flow rate and the Illinois River where we are has only a 1.5mph current, so it is very easy to paddle upstream even for a beginner!
Don't be left up a creek without a boat to paddle!
Call ahead and reserve yours today so that it's Guaranteed!!!
No risk Online Prebooking! If the weather is bad or you can't make it we will keep a credit on file for you good thru the end of the season 10-31-10!
Kayak Rentals
A Light Touring Rec Kayak is from 11-15 feet. We have both single and double kayaks. The doubles can hold up to 3 people. This boat is an entry level sea kayak. This kayak is perfect for either the I&M canal or the Illinois River. Rental includes a paddle, a PFD(lifejacket), a safety demonstration and a brief lesson on paddling.
DUE TO LIMITED AVAILABILITY, ADVANCED RESERVATIONS ARE STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!!!!
PREPURCHASE ONLINE AND SAVE!!! Prices below are internet only rates! Prices are per boat.
Rates onsite are $60 for the day
After proceeding to Checkout, PLEASE click on "ADD SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO MERCHANT" and indicate Type of boat(single/Tandem), Date, Time of arrival, and Cell #Prebooked Kayak/Canoe Freestyle Rental up to 2 hours = $35.00
Bonus>>>>add a daily Bike rental for only 10$more per person!!
Click Here to add>>>>(not available on 2 hour rental/tour)
Prebooked Kayak Freestyle rental up to 5 Hours = 45.00
Prebooked Kayak/Canoe Freestyle Rental up to 10 Hours = $55.00
Canoes are great for families and can accomodate up to 3 people(depending on weights of paddlers). Rental includes paddles and PFD's(lifejackets), safety demonstration, and a brief lesson.
DUE TO LIMITED AVAILABILITY, ADVANCED RESERVATIONS ARE STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!!!!
Click Here to reserve a Day/Time>>>>>> 2hr Day 4+hours We also rent cartop Foam block carriers!
Then here to purchase>>>>>>
PREPURCHASE ONLINE AND SAVE 10%!!! Prices below are internet only rates!
Rates onsite are $60 for the day
PreBooked Canoe freestyle rental
After proceeding to Checkout, PLEASE click on "ADD SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO MERCHANT" and indicate Type of boat, Date, and Time of arrival
Prebooked Canoe Freestyle Rental up to 2 hours = $35.00
PreBooked rental up to 5 hours 45.00
Prebooked Canoe Freestyle Rental up to 10 Hours = $55.00
Please leave all your valuables at home! We are not responsible for lost stolen or damaged personal property. Please keep your camera/phone in a drybag or double ziploc bag(not guaranteed waterproof, but it helps)
Kayak/Canoe Tours
Beginner Tour
This tour is a great way to introduce you to the sport of Kayaking/Canoeing. It is 2 hours in length. Our tours maintain a leisurely pace and we keep our group together so that everyone will feel comfortable. We will make some stops along the way to enjoy nature, maybe find a geocache and take a rest. If you are looking for a faster pace try one of our specialty tours. All tours will be either on the Illinois River or the I&M canal and depend on the conditions that exist. We reserve the right to cancel any trip due to unsafe climate or river conditions. In the event that the trip is cancelled you will receive a credit towards a trip or rental in the future. We maintain a very small group size so it is advised to make a reservation ahead of time. All tours include boat, life vest, paddle, lesson, and safety briefing. Please bring water, sunscreen, hat, and a towel to make your trip more enjoyable.
$45 per Tandem
$35 per single
when checking out please list type of rental(single or double)/date/time of rental
we have single kayaks and we also have tandem kayaks that hold up to 3 people!
Check here for a schedule of current tour offerings!
Don't see what you need? Just Ask!
We can custom design a trip that is just right for your group!
If you have a group of 4 or more we do private custom tours. Just call/text/email the day and time you would like to paddle. $60 per boat.
If you prefer a private small group tour of 2-3 people($75 per person includes all equipment/rental), or one on one paddling tour($100 per hour, includes all equipment and rental) , we can arrange that too!
- Rule number 1 is HAVE FUN! Safe boating is the most fun
- Rule number 2 is BE PREPARED! The "Captain" is soley responsible for the boat and its occupants
- Always obey state and local boating regulations
- Daily rates are per boat. Canoes carry 1 or 2 adults and 1 child. Kayaks carry 1 person. Double Kayaks carry 2-3(2 adults 1 child or 1 adult and 2 children)
- Rental includes boat, life vest and paddles, lesson, safety briefing
- All boats must be on the beach by or before 6:00 p.m. daily.
- We cannot provide rental or livery services anytime unsafe conditions exist on the rivers, forests or roads.
- We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone who appears to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Cancellations can be accepted up to 48 hours prior to your trip in order to receive a refund...If the weather causes a cancellation of the trip then you will have a credit toward a future trip during the same calendar year.
- Be aware of weather and traffic
- If by chance, thunderstorms arise, paddle to shore, and get out of your kayak,
- Personal Flotation Devices (PFD's or lifevests) must be worn, ZIPPED UP, at ALL TIMES while in your kayak or Canoe NO EXCEPTIONS!
- Kids under age 12 may paddle a single kayak with a staff member from KayakMorris.com or paddle in a tandem kayak or canoe with a parent or guardian.
- Kids under age 18 may not rent without an adult or guardian and/or staff present with them on the water.
- Rubber soled Footwear (watershoes, sandals or sneakers) must be worn at all times.
- Please carry your cell phone in a waterproof bag
- Stay close to the shore (the view is better anyway).
- Swimming from boats is dangerous and prohibited
- Capsizing of boats is not permitted
- Renters may NOT cross the river or paddle near the shipping lane.
- Alcohol is not permitted in any rented boats.
- Operate boats within known limits:
Time
Capacity
- Consider additional protection against:
Sun
- Kayakmorris.com reserves the right to cancel rentals and tours on the Illinois River when the river is in an unsafe state. If the Illinois River is at flood stage all rentals and tours are cancelled. All rentals and tours on the I & M Canal are not affected by flood stage water and will remain open
Payment for damages due to abuse or failure to obey the rules may include,
in addition to repair costs, compensation for lost rental income and staff time expenses.
Fasten gear into the boat, and always plan for the possibility of capsizing and getting wet.
Know that the steering is done from the stern (back) and the bow (front) paddler provides power.
Know that normal stern strokes on the right will turn the boat left, and vice-versa.
Look far ahead, and move the canoe to the proper river position long before passing an obstacle.
Keep maneuvering room between your boat and others.
If in doubt about paddling safely past an obstacle, go to shore and portage around it.
Know where your trip ends, and some landmarks along the way.
HOW TO RIGHT A CAPSIZED CANOE
If you swamp your canoe, first make sure all canoeists are safe. Then make sure you do not lose the canoe or paddles -since they are your means of return. Last, recover other gear.
A canoe full of water weighs more than a car, but will still float. Maneuver the boat to shallow water. Never get it into water immediately upstream of an obstacle. You must roll the flooded canoe onto its side in shallow water, then slowly lift to allow water to run out. When enough water is out, try to pull the boat onto the shore. Once completely emptied by turning the canoe upside down on land, put the canoe back into the river, load up your gear, and continue down the river.
HOW TO GET HELP
Always honestly evaluate your river skills before beginning a trip. If you have started and you find the conditions become more than you wish to handle, paddle or float to the nearest river-access point, get yourself and your gear well out of the river, and get help.
If you do get into a hazardous river situation that you are unable to solve by yourself, each canoe has our name and phone number attached to it. If you can access a phone in the event of an emergency, call KayakMorris.com first. further instructions and contact the appropriate emergency services for you. If you have no phone, notify any passing boater to let us know of your situation.
RESPECT NATURE
We encourage you to stop at sandbars to have a picnic lunch, to trade places in the canoe, or just to take a break from paddling. If you do make such stops along this federally protected riverway, make sure you take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints.
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Clothing Checklist
The combination of wind, air temps and H2O temps can make choosing the right clothing a challenge. What we are offering are recommendations for when you paddle with us as a guide service. This takes into account MINIMUM H2O exposure and quick rescue. There are many options and combinations to achieve the appropriate clothing requirements.
| Season | Air Temps | Water Temps |
| Spring | 40° to 60° | 38° to 59° |
| Summer | 61° to 90°+ | 60° to 70° |
| Fall | 35° to 65° | 48° to 65° |
| Winter | < 50° | < 45° |
H2O Temps 38 to 45
- Dry Suit
- Layers:
- Synthetic, insulating against skin or base layer including socks.
- Synthetic, more insulating mid layer.
- Synthetic, insulating socks.
- Head gear: hat, balaclava...etc.
- Hand wear: Winter paddling gloves and or Poggies.
- Footwear: Neoprene paddling shoes or booties or a solid pair of old sneakers.
H2O Temps 46 to 59
Drysuits are optimal, but a 3 MM wetsuit (Farmer John/Jane) with fleece/synthetic layers and dry top is a good second choice.
*You may substitute a waterproof/ breathable paddle top for dry top with the appropriate amount of layers.
**High air temps may allow for a s/s paddle top with wetsuit.
H2O Temps 60 to 65
Air temps will help make the best decision.
*Rain and wind with cool air temps may call for wetsuit and paddle top.
**High air temps and sun may be just shorts and s/s top.
***These temps are not terribly dangerous, but you must weigh all variables: air temp, wind, weather, water temp, length of paddle and personal heat index.
60 degree H2O Temp
Marks when we can start to wear clothes that reflect air temps as opposed to water temps.
Finally warm weather! Shorts, swim trunks, s/s top, bikini.
*We are looking for sun protection and synthetics to cool the body during physical activities.
** Cotton is not our friend during watersport activities. It does not dry well and disapates body heat quickly. NO COTTON!! Cotton is Good for fashion, bad for performance. This means t-shirts, jeans, pants and shorts are not appropriate kayaking gear.
For reservations within 48 hours or group quotes
Call or Text 630-567-4653
KayaKMorriS@aol.com