Best Lakes for Kayaking Near Chicago
Illinois
3 kayaking lakes within driving distance of Chicago, Illinois, ranked by water quality and kayaking-specific filters. Filtered for grade A, B, or C water quality, public access, and ideal paddling size (30-3,000 acres).
Lakes near Chicago are sparser (3 graded lakes within reach), so the choices are limited. Long Lake (B) is the standout.
The kayaking-specific ranking layered on top of the letter grade is what produces the list below: a grade-good lake that does not also support the kayaking use case is less useful than a grade-decent lake that does.
| # | Lake | County | Grade | Distance | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Long Lake | Porter | B | 38.7 mi | - | - |
| 2 | Flint Lake | Porter | B | 39.4 mi | - | - |
| 3 | Loomis Lake | Porter | C | 38.7 mi | - | - |
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.