Don Burch Boat Dock and Picnic Area

Located in Creve Coeur along the Illinois River, Don Burch Boat Dock is a popular access point on the Greater Peoria Canoe and Kayak Trail. The facility offers a dedicated boat launch suitable for kayaks, canoes, and small motorboats, along with a picnic area and spacious grass grounds with scenic river views. This makes it an ideal spot for a day trip combining paddling, fishing, and shoreside relaxation.

The Illinois River at this location is a major waterway with significant flow—averaging over 27,000 cubic feet per second—so paddlers should be prepared for moderate current conditions typical of a stream order 9 river. The gradient is gentle (0.3 ft/mile), making it manageable for recreational paddlers, though the river's size and flow demand respect and appropriate paddling skills. As part of the established canoe and kayak trail system in the Peoria region, Don Burch serves as a convenient waypoint for multi-day paddling trips or shorter recreational outings on this 273-mile river system.