Off-Site Parking, Shuttle Buses & Canoe Pick-Up

See the map below for details.

I. FINISH LINE OFF-SITE PARKING is available at 3 sites beginning at 6 am

LOT A: Camp Pine Woods Forest Preserve parking lot (east of Rt. 45 south of Euclid/W. Lake Ave)
LOT B: If needed for overflow. (east of river, north of Lake-Euclid Ave.)

II. STARTING LINE PARKING

A: The best parking option is to move your car to a Finish Line parking area after unloading your canoe. You can then take the free shuttle back to the Start Line to begin the race. See the shuttle schedule below.
B: After unloading canoes, cars may be parked along the shoulder of Oak Springs Road only west of the river.
C: In addition, free all day parking will be available for approximately 100 cars at the Lake Minear Beach Club. The lot entrance is 1/4 mile west of the river along Oak Springs Road. Cars must be removed from this lot by 5:00 pm, making this a better choice for early-heat participants.

III. MID-COURSE OPTIONAL TAKE-OUT

Parking is available in the lot at Rivershire Park, a short walk from the east bank canoe launch/take-out. This site will be marked with a red flag visible from the river. Pre-race shuttle service back to the Start Area will be provided by the Special Recreational Association of Central Lake County at no charge. Deposit canoe and gear at Start Area in advance, then drive to the mid-course parking lot. Shuttles leave at 7:00, 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. for the roughly 20 minute ride back to Oak Spring Road. Time your gear drop-off and shuttle to arrive back at the Start Area at least 45 minutes in advance of your Start Time. Upon reaching the Mid-Course take-out by boat, load boat and gear onto your car, then drive to Finish Area off-site parking (item 1 above) to pick up pre-ordered T-shirts and enjoy the food, displays, entertainment and awards presentation.

IV. SHUTTLE BUSES will also be available free of charge from the finish line to the start line or off-site parking.

A: TO START LINE - a free shuttle bus will leave Finish Line Dam # 2 at 7:00 am, 7:15, 8:00, 8:30 am and 9:30am for the start line. At 11:30 am and thereafter the bus will leave for the Oak Spring Road Start Line every 45 minutes until 5:00 pm.
B: TO OFF-SITE PARKING - beginning about 6:30 am buses will run continuously to and from Lots A & B. You may ride the buses both ways (courtesy of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County). Family and friends who wish to greet you at the finish line and enjoy the day with you may also use the off-site lots and free shuttle bus.

V. CANOE PICK UP

A: Before you get your vehicle, please bring your canoe and equipment to the "canoe corral" located on the east side of Dam #2 parking lot.
B: Enter the Dam #2 parking lot from the temporary entrance on the south side of the parking lot - load your canoes - exit on the north side.

VI. PEDESTRIAN CROSSING of Rt. 45 (River Road)

If you are parked in the residential area west of Dam #2, please cross River Rd. (Rt. 45) only at the entrance or exit to Dam #2 parking lot where there will be Forest Preserve police helping direct traffic.

VII. PICNICKING - CONCESSION STANDS

You are encouraged to make a day of it at Dam #2 - watch others finish, trade "war stories", check your times, and cheer at the awards ceremony. There will be multiple food concessions and music available this year.