2024 is here!
Here’s the list of our scheduled public events for 2024. There’s old favorites, new twists on popular paddles, and areas of the river we’ve never done before. Details are further down on the page. Registration for each event will open about 4 weeks before the event. NWIPA members get early access to registration.
June 9th - LaPorte Chain of Lakes
June 22th - Trail Creek Fun Float
July 6th - Paddle the Park on the East Branch of the Little Calumet
July 20th - African-American Water Trail
August 24th - Everglades of the North
September 7th - Outdoor Adventure Festival / Lower Little Cal and Salt Creek
September 14th - Expert Tour of the East Branch Little Calumet
October 12th - Kankakee River Sand Hill Crane Paddle
In addition to our NWIPA-sponsored public events, we’re also supporting the National Park’s Marquette Lagoon paddles. These take place in the Miller section of Gary on Thursday nights from June through early August 8.
If you have ideas of events you want to see again, or new ideas you’d like to see us try, send us an email. Of course, donations are alway appreciated.
Pop-Up Paddles
Watch for “Pop-Up Paddles” during the summer months - these wee new for 2023, and will be ‘bring your boat’ paddles on various area lakes and rivers, announced here and on Facebook just days before. Finally, for members-only, we hope to have a special Lake Michigan Water Trail paddle in July, and our annual Rendezvous was on March 3rd. Members will receive emailed invitations to these events.
Please post in our Facebook.
Sunday, June 9th
LaPorte Chain of Lakes
Stone Lake Beach, LaPorte, IN
Registration Information Available Soon
We’ve moved this very popular event earlier in the season to take advantage of great conditions on the lakes. This is a great event for beginners and veteran paddlers alike. See what an asset these lakes our to charming LaPorte, Indiana. Explore on your own, or take a tour with our guide.
WHEN: 10:00 to 1:00
WHERE: We’ll put-in at the beach house on Stone Lake.
Registration is required, and space is limited. Bring your own boat, or borrow one of ours.
Saturday, July 6th
Paddle in the Park
Little Calumet River, Porter, IN
Registration Information Available Soon
Join us on a paddle on the newest opened sections of the East Branch of the Little Calument River west of Howe Road. This is some of the most impressive sections of the river, almost exclusively within the National Park!
WHEN: TBD
WHERE: TBD
Registration is required, and space is limited. Bring your own boat, or borrow one of ours.
Saturday, August 24th
Everglades of the North
Explore the Kankakee River and Bayous
Registration Information Available Soon
The event is a self-guided tour of the Kankakee River through the LaSalle Fish & Wildlife Area from White Oak Bayou ending at the State Line Bayou. This event will include shuttling paddlers between the put-in location in Indiana and the take-out at the border of Illinois.
WHEN: 11:00 am - 12:30 pm Check-In
WHERE: LaSalle Fish & Wildlife Area to the State Line Bayou
Registration is required, and space is limited. Bring your own boat, or borrow one of ours.
Saturday, September 14th
Outdoor Adventure Festival: Week 2
East Arm Little Calumet Paddle Tour
Registration Information Available Soon
Paddle the most popular section of the Little Calumet River! Bring your boat to take a kayak tour. Co-sponsored with Indiana Dunes National Park during the Outdoor Adventure Festival.
WHEN: 10:30 am (Bus Leaves Howe Road)
WHERE: Keith Walner Preserve in Chesterton, IN paddling to Howe Road in Porter
Registration is required, and space is limited. Bring your own boat, or borrow one of ours.
Saturday, June 22th
Fun Float
Trail Creek, Michigan City, IN
Registration Information Available Soon
The original is back! Our 16th annual Paddle Trail Creek from Hanson Park’s kayak launch upstream to beautiful Friendship Park and back. Expert paddlers may want to also head down to Michigan City’s harbor and back for a longer trip.
WHEN: 10:00 to 1:30
WHERE: Put in at the Hansen Park kayak launch.
Registration is required, and space is limited. Bring your own boat, or borrow one of ours.
Saturday, July 20th
African American Water Trail
Little Calumet River, Chicago, IL
Registration Information Available Soon
Join this guided tour to explore the African American Water Trail on the Little Calumet River. The Ton Farm Site, on the National Park Service's 'Network to Freedom' registry of significant Underground Railroad locations around the country, will be the focal point of the paddling event, along with other important symbols of African American history along the river.
WHEN: 11:00 am - 12:30 pm Check-In
HERE: We’ll put-in at Beaubien Woods, just south of 130th Street in Chicago.
Registration is required, and space is limited. Bring your own boat, or borrow one of ours.
Saturday, September 7th
Outdoor Adventure Festival: Week 1
East Branch Little Calumet
Registration Information Available Soon
Paddle the newly opened sections of the river in 2023, including the western segment of the Little Calumet and Salt Creek. Co-sponsored with Indiana Dunes National Park during the Outdoor Adventure Festival.
WHEN: Launch between 10:00 am and 12:00 pm
WHERE: Izaak Walton League riverside park
Registration is required, and space is limited. Bring your own boat, or borrow one of ours.
Saturday, October 12th
Kankakee River Sand Hill Crane Paddle
Kankakee River Paddle
Registration Information Available Soon
Paddle the kankakee River and see the majestic sand hill cranes.
WHEN: TBD
WHERE: TBD
Registration is required, and space is limited. Bring your own boat, or borrow one of ours.