Kayak for Conservation FAQs

No, your Kayak for Conservation registration is for this off-site program only. Entry to the aquarium can be purchased separately online at www.sheddaquarium.org.

No, kayaks will be supplied by Kayak Chicago through an arrangement with Shedd Aquarium. You do not need to bring your own kayak.

No, supplying your own kayak is currently not allowed as part of this program.

Both single and double kayaks are available. You can choose to paddle on your own or with another participant. A single kayak, however, is strongly encouraged for the best experience and is the best option for novice paddlers.

Absolutely! The River Discovery Tour and River Explorers programs are accessible for all levels, from beginner to advanced. You’ll receive basic kayak instructions before going out on the river. Shedd staff will assist you with getting in and out of the kayak. Please note you will need to be within 6 feet of a Shedd Aquarium or Kayak Chicago staff member when getting into your kayak and will be required to wear a mask or face covering.

Absolutely! Swimming is not required for this program. All participants are required to wear life jackets while on the river and are assisted by staff in entering and exiting the kayak. At no point will participants be exiting kayaks between launch at the beginning of the program and disembarking at the end of the program.

Participants must be 16 or older to participate in the River Explorers and River Monitors programs, 12 or older to participate in the River Discovery Tour, and six or older to participate in a group session. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, and anyone under 12 years of age must paddle with an adult in a tandem kayak.

Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and shoes. Lightweight, quick-dry fabrics are recommended; there are no changing facilities on site. Participants must bring a mask or face covering and are strongly encouraged to bring water bottles, hats, sunglasses and sunscreen. There is little to no shade when kayaking on the river. Shedd will have limited waterproof cell phone cases available to guest if you choose to bring your phone on the water. Shedd provides shared, locked storage containers for any belongings you do not wish to bring with you in the kayaks.

Porta-potties are available at Kayak Chicago. There are no flush toilets or changing room or facilities onsite.

Shedd provides shared, locked storage containers for any belongings you do not wish to bring with you in the kayaks.

Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled program time to get signed in and store your belongings, if needed. The program will begin promptly at the time indicated. If you miss the group’s departure, you will not be able to reschedule for a later trip. Be sure to check traffic alerts.

Parking is not allowed on the Kayak Chicago lot. Free street parking is readily available; the North & Clybourn/Halsted CTA redline stop is about a half-mile away. For directions using public transportation, visit transitchicago.com.

Kayak for Conservation is an off-site program that departs from Kayak Chicago at 1220 W LeMoyne, Chicago, IL 60642.

It’s possible! Your pants/shorts will most likely get wet from water coming off the paddle, so wear clothing you don’t mind getting wet and bring an extra pair and/or a towel to use after the kayak. There are no changing facilities on site.

Programs take place rain or shine, but not in the case of a thunderstorm. Programs are subject to cancellation at any point leading up to the program if signs of severe weather are present or predicted. If we cancel due to weather, you will receive an opportunity to reschedule for another pre-scheduled date of your choice. If you choose not to reschedule, Shedd will provide a full refund.

The water at this location in the Chicago River is generally calm and slow-moving with little boat traffic, which typically makes for a smooth and low-difficulty paddle. The River Monitor program is the more strenuous of the three, so if you are concerned about the difficulty of the paddle, the River Discovery Tour or River Explorers program is a more appropriate option.

It takes 10 to 15 minutes to paddle to the island, allowing for stops along the way to point out natural and man-made features.

While seeing wildlife is not guaranteed, participants may see painted and red-eared slider turtles, multiple species of waterfowl, butterflies and more.

Protecting our participants’ health and safety is the utmost priority at Shedd Aquarium. All staff and participants will be required to wear masks or face coverings on land but may remove their masks or face coverings while on the river provided they are at least six feet from participants outside of their household. Minimum distances of six feet will be maintained throughout the program except for staff assistance in and out of the kayaks. All equipment and materials, including kayaks, paddles, life jackets, pens, trash grabbers, etc., will be sanitized prior to use. Hand sanitizer will be available as needed throughout the program.

All participants will be required to wear a mask or face covering when they are on land. Participants may remove their mask or face covering on the water provided they are at least six feet away from those outside of their household.

Shedd offers group kayaking experiences for groups for a flat rate of $250 for groups up to 8 people or $600 for groups of 9-15. Please contact us at [email protected] for more information or call 312-692-2737.

We are only offering this program at the specified dates and times.

Tickets are fully refundable or may be rescheduled up to 48 hours prior to your Kayak for Conservation session. Contact Shedd at 312-692-2737 or [email protected] to cancel or reschedule your ticket. Refunds will be credited to your original method of payment within 30 days after the date of your cancellation.

You may reschedule your program within 48 hours of your Kayak for Conservation session. To do so, email us at [email protected] or call 312-692-2737.

If you are feeling sick or short of breath, have a fever or cough, or have been around others who have these symptoms, please do not attend your Kayak for Conservation session. Contact Shedd at 312-692-2737 or [email protected] at least 12 hours before the start of your program to cancel or reschedule your ticket for another date. Please let us know if you would like the full amount of your refund or if you would be willing to donate partial or the full amount to help us mitigate the financial impact of COVID-19 on the aquarium.

If we cancel your program, you will receive an opportunity to reschedule for another pre-scheduled date of your choice. If you choose not to reschedule, Shedd will provide a full refund within 30 days of the canceled event.

Yes! In fact, we welcome repeat paddlers. Every program is slightly different and offers a unique experience.

We are always looking to improve our programming, so we want to hear about your experience. This information will be used to evaluate and design future programs. We appreciate your time and thoughts.

We have many opportunities to participate in Shedd’s mission. If you enjoy being outdoors, consider signing up for one of our 

Action Days. Volunteer activities take place at beaches, forest preserves and parks, where participants help with habitat restoration, wildlife monitoring and litter removal.

Kayak for Conservation is a stewardship program in which participants hop in kayaks, paddle down the North Branch Canal, and visit Shedd’s River Islands in the “Wild Mile.” Along the way, paddlers will learn about the larger Chicago River ecosystem and its history, discover the native flora and fauna above and below the water’s surface and learn how human-made islands benefit ecosystem health. River Explorers and Monitors kayakers will also take part in stewardship and community science activities by removing and tracking litter, conducting wildlife monitoring and contributing to Shedd Aquarium’s biodiversity survey of the "Wild Mile." Please note that each program begins with a half-hour introduction to the river and paddle safety talk.

Our goals through this program are

1. Create new, high-quality aquatic habitat and increase biodiversity on the Chicago River.
2. Collect critical conservation data to inform and advance restoration of the Chicago River.
3. Bring people out to nature and introduce them to an important body of water with the intent to spark conservation for the aquatic animal world and Chicago’s eponymous river.

Please contact us at [email protected] or 312-692-2737 with additional questions. 

No, there is no tax deduction for your registration payment.

These protocols and policies are subject to change. For updated information, please contact us at [email protected] or 312-692-2737.