Paddling Season 2010 Rock River, Oregon, IL

I was able to sneak in an early start to paddling this spring. It happened to be one of the finer days of a pretty chilly spring, yet still a little breezy. Fortunately, the wind was at our backs.

This was our second time on the Rock River, what I consider to be one of the most scenic in the state, between Oregon and Grand Detour in North Central Illinois. We put in just below the dam in Oregon at County Hwy 33 and Washington St. and shuttled the vehicles south on Hwy 2, following the west bank of the river. The take out is just before the curve in the river on the left side, just across the street from the John Deer historic site.

The forecast had called for a 20 percent chance of rain, so I packed my outer rain shell, was prepared with a couple of layers in case it got chilly and was ready with a change of clothes all tucked away in the paddling dry bag.

I originally read about this river in Canoeing Adventures in Northern Illinois: Apple River to Zuma Creek by Bob Tyler. This book is a pretty good and can be downloaded in PDF format, which is probably okay for most paddlers, since you won’t be bringing the book with you. You can always print off the few pages you need and bring those! The book stops at the Castle Rock State Park on river-right, about 5 miles down from the Oregon dam.

Castle Rock lookout is where we have lunch. There is a staircase leading to a very scenic overlook of many miles north and south on the river. We then paddle an additional 5 to Grand Detour. CAUTION: At about mile 4-4.5 stay river-left. Do not go into the blocked off stretch near the old campground islands. You’ll have to turn around and paddle around that peninsula to get the take out.

Miles: about 12

Level: Beginner/Intermediate

Scenic, wildlife, canoe, kayak