Boating is amongst the many recreational activities available at Loud Thunder Forest Preserve, with access to the Mississippi River and Lake George. Bring your own boat or rent ours Memorial Day-Labor Day. Details below.

Park hours, 6:00 AM - Dusk, apply to all of the Forest Preserve District's boat launch areas.

BRING YOUR OWN BOAT

There are two areas to bring your own boat at Loud Thunder Forest Preserve:

Mississippi River

Access the Mississippi River's Andalusia Slough from the northern boundary of the preserve. The access road to the Riverview Campground will get you to the public boat ramp. Boat launch and docks are typically in March 15 - Dec. 15, weather permitting.

Please be aware in colder months, snow, ice, saturated road/ground conditions sometimes require us to close the access road to this area.

Lake George

One of the main attractions of the Loud Thunder is Lake George, popular for kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, boating, and fishing. Lake George is a 167-acre man-made lake that has a maximum depth of 55 feet. The lake is stocked with many varieties of fish, including bluegill, largemouth bass, crappie, channel catfish, bullhead, and muskellunge. 

A concrete boat ramp and ADA-accessible kayak launch are available on the northeast side of the Lake. Once on Loud Thunder Road, follow signs to the public boat ramp and Hidden Hollow Picnic Area. (View park map.)

• Gas motors are not allowed on Lake George, electric trolling motors only.
• Swimming is not allowed in Lake George or in the Mississippi River at Loud Thunder Forest Preserve.
• No campfires on the lakeshore are permitted.

Fishing license required

An Illinois fishing license from the State of Illinois is required for fishing on Lake George. Illinois fishing licenses can be purchased online from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Fishing licenses are not sold or available at the Park Office or Boat Rental launch area.

BOAT RENTALS

Loud Thunder proudly offers boat rentals including kayaks, canoes, Jon boats, small pontoons and large pontoons/party barges. Life jackets are provided with all rentals.

Boat Rental Season & Hours

Rentals are available from Memorial Day to Labor Day, weather permitting, and on the following holidays: Memorial Day, 4th of July & Labor Day. Please call (309) 795-1040 for availability. Please note below that the hours of operation change in mid-August.

May 25, 2024 - August 4, 2024 Hours:

Monday - Wednesday, closed
Thursday - Friday, 11:00AM - 7:00PM

Saturday - Sunday, 8:00AM - 7:00PM
*Please note that no boats will be rented after 6:00 PM

August 5, 2024 - September 2, 2024 Hours:

Monday - Friday, CLOSED

Saturday & Sunday, 11:00AM - 7:00PM

*Please note that no boats will be rented after 6:00 PM

How to rent a boat

All boat rentals are first-come, first served. No reservations. Minimum of one-hour rental for all boats, no prorating of hours is permitted. Prices listed below.

When you arrive at Loud Thunder, come to the park office before going down to the boat rental docks to check in and pay. We'll ask the type of boat you want to rent and for how long. Then give you directions to the boat ramp.

NEW IN 2022: The IL DNR requires all persons renting a boat to complete a free, short, online boater safety training once per season.

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON REQUIRED BOATER SAFETY TRAINING.

You must be 16 years or older to rent and/or operate any of the boats, including the kayaks and canoe. Boats will not be rented or operated by anyone 15 years or younger.

Please call (309) 795-1040 if you have any questions.