Lake George Boating: A magical nature adventure
When looking for outdoor fun this summer, we turned once again to a somewhat forgotten spot near the Quad Cities: Lake George. There are boat rentals available for experienced and non-experienced adventurers alike! There's even a kayak launch along with traditional docks and shoreline entry.
Loud Thunder Forest Preserve is located in Illinois City, Illinois. It's open from sunrise to dusk.
Canoes, jon boats, kayaks, party barges, and pontoon boats are available for rent. Rentals are by the hour and first come first served. See the website or call for pricing.
The boat rental is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Otherwise, boats are available to rent from 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. with the last launch by 6 p.m. June - early September. and then, weather permitting, on weekends in September.
Families and friends head to Lake George to connect with nature and with each other. Parents are finding the time with their littles and teens is well worth the effort!
“We had so much fun kayaking with the whole family at Loud Thunder. Enjoyed it so much that the girls went back the next day with friends!,” explains Rachel Gustafson from Rock Island, IL.
“I think Lake George is a hidden gem - less than a half hour from almost anyplace in the QC, it's a quiet, calm escape. For added adventure, head up the small river that feeds the lake - lots of adventuring with dragonflies and butterflies!” says Laurie Elliot from Blue Grass, Iowa
“Ellie (13) and I enjoyed the peaceful, yet full, lake. The day we went it looked like a mirror. We would paddle and float. Chat about the start of school and our worries, and then feel relaxed gazing at nature from our kayaks,” Sarah McCoy from Rock Island, IL.
“Every year the summer season couldn't start until my daughter Leah and I drove out to Lake George and rented a paddle boat. This was usually some time near the end of May. We would paddle around for about an hour and it was a great father/daughter experience. We started when Leah was so small she couldn't reach the pedals and we did it every year until her sophomore year in college. It seemed like we always had the perfect weather and I cherish those memories!” remembers Dave Wrath from Moline, IL.
“Lake George is the greatest! The hidden gem of the QC!,” Marc Zyla from Rock Island, IL, and friends kayak on Lake George multiple times a week. His dog, Roxie, especially loves it!
Sharon Lampert from Rock Island, IL, loved Lake George kayaking so much with her teenage daughter, Ana, they bought their own kayaks. Mom especially loves the one-on-one time she gets with her daughter to talk about life and just…be together. Kayaking has been fun for their whole family.
A family of six ranging from 1 to grown-up, the Armstrongs from Davenport, IA, are always looking for adventures that can include younger members of their family. They really loved being at Lake George:
Casey, age 9 (male): “I didn’t know it was such a big lake! I was nervous the kayak would flip over, but those things are solid! It was so much fun!”
Allison, age 7 (female): “I was really nervous, but there were a lot of other kids boating so I tried it. It was so fun! Mom said we can go back again soon!”
Brooke, age 3 (female): “I saw fish jumping out of the water! And Daddy rowed the boat. It was so awesome!”
“One of my favorite paddles this year” says Carol Ehlert, an avid kayaker from Coal Valley, IL.
So many enjoy the waters of Lake George. Won't you join them?
Meghan Cooley moved to the Quad Cities from St. Charles, IL, as an Augustana College student over 20 years ago. She left briefly after graduation and then returned to work in admissions and then marketing at Augustana College for 18 years. She now works as a consultant for admissions marketing and social media. She also does copy editing and writes for the Quad City Moms Blog. Now a true Quad Cities transplant, Meghan lives in Rock Island with her husband, Luke (R.O.W.V.A. and Augustana grad and Modern Woodmen employee) and four boys. She loves living in the Quad Cities and finds it the perfect place to raise a family, plan a date night, and go on adventures.