Boat Launches - Chicago, IL
Use this guide to find public boat launches along Lake Michigan, the Chicago River, and the North Shore Channel. Access, hours, and seasonal restrictions can change, so check current facility information before traveling with your watercraft.
| Launch Name | Physical Address | Waterway | Launch Type | Google Maps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burnham Boat Launch – 31st Street Harbor | 3155 S. Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60615 | Lake Michigan | Motorized — Restricted | View Map |
| Burnham Boat Launch – Burnham Harbor | 586 E. Waldron Drive, Chicago, IL 60605 | Lake Michigan | Motorized | View Map |
| Calumet Boat Launch – North | 9801 S. Avenue G, Chicago, IL 60617 | Lake Michigan | Motorized | View Map |
| Calumet Boat Launch – South | 9801 S. Avenue G, Chicago, IL 60617 | Lake Michigan | Motorized | View Map |
| Clark (Richard) Boat Launch | 3400 N. Rockwell Street, Chicago, IL 60618 | North Branch Chicago River | Non-Motorized | View Map |
| Daley (Richard J.) Boat Launch | 3150 S. Western Avenue, Chicago, IL 60608 | South Branch Chicago River | Motorized | View Map |
| Jackson Boat Launch – 63rd Street Beach | 6300 S. Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60637 | Lake Michigan | Non-Motorized | View Map |
| Jackson Boat Launch – Inner Harbor | 6400 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60637 | Jackson Park Inner Harbor | Motorized | View Map |
| Leone Beach Boat Launch | 1222 W. Touhy Avenue, Chicago, IL 60626 | Lake Michigan | Non-Motorized | View Map |
| Lincoln Boat Launch – Diversey Harbor | 2601 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago, IL 60614 | Diversey Harbor | Motorized | View Map |
| Lincoln Boat Launch – Diversey Harbor Steps | 2601 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago, IL 60614 | Lake Michigan | Non-Motorized | View Map |
| Lincoln Boat Launch – Montrose Beach North | 4400 N. Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60613 | Lake Michigan | Non-Motorized | View Map |
| Lincoln Boat Launch – Montrose Beach South | 4400 N. Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60613 | Lake Michigan | Non-Motorized | View Map |
| Lincoln Boat Launch – Montrose Harbor | 601 W. Montrose Drive, Chicago, IL 60614 | Montrose Harbor | Non-Motorized | View Map |
| Northerly Island Boat Launch – 12th Street Beach | 1521 S. Linn White Drive, Chicago, IL 60605 | Lake Michigan | Non-Motorized | View Map |
| Park No. 571 Boat Launch | 2828 S. Eleanor Street, Chicago, IL 60608 | South Branch Chicago River — Bubbly Creek | Non-Motorized | View Map |
| Ping Tom Boat Launch | 200–322 W. 18th Street, Chicago, IL 60616 | South Branch Chicago River | Non-Motorized | View Map |
| Rainbow Beach Boat Launch | 3111 E. 77th Street, Chicago, IL 60649 | Lake Michigan | Non-Motorized | View Map |
| River Boat Launch – Above Dam | 5100 N. Francisco Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625 | North Branch Chicago River | Non-Motorized | View Map |
| River Boat Launch – Below Dam | 5100 N. Francisco Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625 | North Branch Chicago River | Non-Motorized | View Map |
| Stone Boat Launch | 3150 W. Peterson Avenue, Chicago, IL 60659 | North Shore Channel | Non-Motorized | View Map |
Important: Launch access, operating hours, fees and seasonal restrictions may change. The 31st Street Harbor ramp has limited seasonal availability and is not a regular summer public launch. Confirm current conditions with the Chicago Park District or Chicago Harbors before traveling with a boat.