City: Batavia, IL
County: Kane County
Type: Boat Ramp
Location: 41.85893000, -88.30896600
Air Temp: --
Location
Live Webcam
Nearby Gauge Conditions
Real-time data from USGS Water Services
Whitewater Runs on Fox River
9 runs (3 nearby)Difficulty Classes
I Easy
II Novice
III Intermediate
IV Advanced
V Expert/Extreme
VI Unrunnable
Position relative to this access site:
Put-in at this location
This location is on the run
Take-out at this location
Downstream from here Upstream from here
Downstream from here Upstream from here
I-II(IV)
Put-in at this location
C) Batavia Dam (PnP)
0.2 mi
I-II
Downstream from here (17.5 mi to put-in)
D) Yorkville: Marge Cline Whitewater Course (PnP)
0.2 mi
10 ft/mi
II
Downstream from here (17.7 mi to put-in)
Jaycee Pond Park (PnP)
0.3 mi
These whitewater runs are on the same river but located more than 50 miles from this access site.
I(II)
61 mi away
B) Waterford/Rochester/Burlington (PnP)
0.5 mi
I
80 mi away
A) Downtown Waukesha: Barstow St. to Wisconsin Ave. (0.5 mile)
0.4 mi
10 ft/mi
II
161 mi away
A) N Wave (Neenah)
0.1 mi
II-IV+
165 mi away
B) Appleton Dam (PnP) *Access Issues*
0.1 mi
II-III(IV)
167 mi away
C) Kaukauna/1000 Islands: Hwy.55/Main Ave. to CTH.ZZ (1.5 miles)
2.5 mi
27 ft/mi
II
180 mi away
D) De Pere Dam (PnP) *Access Issues*
0.7 mi
Whitewater data from
American Whitewater
About This Access Site
Laurelwood Park in Batavia offers a convenient boat launch on the Fox River, a large navigable waterway with moderate current (average 3.63 ft/sec) and a gentle gradient of 2.4 ft/mile. The site features ample parking, restrooms, and amenities at The Lodge at Laurelwood, making it a comfortable starting point for kayaking, canoeing, and motorboating. The park is well-positioned along the river at approximately mile 55.7 of the Fox River, with easy access to nearby launches upstream (Geneva Boat Launch at mile 56.5) and downstream (Batavia Riverwalk Ramp at mile 49.3).
Beyond water access, Laurelwood Park serves as a hub for multi-sport recreation. The site connects directly to the Fox River Bike Trail, making it ideal for combining paddling with cycling. The facility includes picnic areas, trails, and a youth camping area, so paddlers can easily extend their visit. Note that the Batavia Dam is located very close downstream (mile 55.5), so plan your paddling route accordingly—portage details should be confirmed before launching.
Beyond water access, Laurelwood Park serves as a hub for multi-sport recreation. The site connects directly to the Fox River Bike Trail, making it ideal for combining paddling with cycling. The facility includes picnic areas, trails, and a youth camping area, so paddlers can easily extend their visit. Note that the Batavia Dam is located very close downstream (mile 55.5), so plan your paddling route accordingly—portage details should be confirmed before launching.
Amenities
parking
restrooms