Rock Run Rookery

Rock Run Rookery offers free boat launch access to the Des Plaines River near Joliet, with no launch fees or permits required. The site features a well-maintained boat ramp, ample trailer parking, and restroom facilities. Paddlers can launch kayaks and canoes to explore two connected lakes and access the Des Plaines River itself. The larger east lake permits boats with trolling motors only, while the smaller west lake is designated for catch-and-release fishing from shore, featuring a handicapped-accessible dock.

Be aware of restricted areas marked by buoys around the rookery island—these are off-limits to all boats and casting to protect nesting wildlife. The Rock Run Rookery flats area off Route 6 is also closed to boating and fishing. These protections help preserve important bird habitat while still providing excellent paddling opportunities in the open portions of both lakes and the adjacent Des Plaines River. The site's proximity to the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center and Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie makes it an excellent base for exploring the region's natural and industrial heritage.