Class I-II Salt Creek, IL

Salt Creek Water Trail (Busse Woods Forest Preserve to Plank Road Meadow)

Salt Creek consists of four sections, each offering a distinct paddling experience. Paddling is also available at Busse Lake located at the northern end of the trail in Ned Brown Forest Preserve (Busse Woods). The upper watershed begins in Palatine and flows south past Arlington Race Track as an intermittent stream in a narrow channel. The lake section begins where the creek crosses Golf Road (Route 58) and enters Busse Woods Forest Preserve and the 590 acre flood retention area of Busse Reservoir. The dam that creates the reservoir marks the beginning of the middle section through Cook and DuPage counties. This stretch runs through residential areas as well as a number of forest preserves and parks. Sewage treatment plants and flood control structures in DuPage County affect the water quality and present occasional hazards. The lower section begins where the creek re-enters Cook County at the Tri-State Tollway. With the exception of a half mile stretch of the river through Brookfield, the lower section of Salt Creek is owned on one or both banks by the Forest Preserve District of Cook County. (Source: Openlands)

Section Details

Trip Length Full Day, 23.0 Miles
Fishing Yes
Manager Private, Salt Creek Watershed Network
Wild & Scenic No
Water Trail Yes
Partner Information https://paddleillinoiswatertrails.org/2015/06/10/salt-creek-water-trails/
http://www.saltcreekwatershed.org/recreation/