Vermilion
N.2249th Rd. to landing off of Ed Hand Hwy. (8.15 miles)(Wildcat Canyon)
| Difficulty | II-III |
| Length | 8.2 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 7 fpm |
| Gauge | Vermilion River Near Leonore, Il |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 624 cfsI-II(III)low runnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | March 3, 2025 |
River Description
Quick Facts:
Location: NorthCentral IL, about 4 miles SE of Oglesby (near Starved Rock SP and Matthiessen SP).
Shuttle Length: 6.5 miles/~9 minutes.
Character: Very scenic rural stream. High bluffs in places. Wide open rapids (with exception of Wildcat).
Drainage: 1278 sq.mi. (at former gauge site near put-in).
Put-in is approximately 510' elevation.
Take-out is approximately 450' elevation.
Thus total elevation change is approximately 60'.
General Overview
The Vermilion River in LaSalle County is a class II-III whitewater river in North-Central Illinois. (There are two Vermilion's in Illinois, each with just one 'L', though many people insert a second one) We have often seen this (erroneously) characterized as the 'only' whitewater in Illinois. In fact, there are numerous other whitewater runs, but this is certainly the most well known and among the larger watersheds. As such, it has the most boatable days of any natural whitewater in the state, allowing a commercial rafting business to be viable.
The majority of this section runs through Matthiessen State Park. (In 2018, property formerly owned by Buzzi-Unicem cement company was purchased by the state to add to Matthiessen.) Large bluffs and a 'canyon' (by Illinois standards) surround significant parts of this run, making it quite scenic.
The Vermilion is wide, and when running at good levels (over 1000 cfs) becomes quite pushy in places. However, the fact that it is very 'pool/drop' (you have at least a half mile between rapids) makes it (at most levels) an excellent place for beginning whitewater boaters and commercial (and private) rafters.
**\\\ Access from N.2219th Road is no longer advised due to private property concerns.\\\****
Please use access from the rafting outfitters. Put in there, or carry-up a quarter-mile or so to start with the rapids above the bri
...River Features
Put-in
Carry upstream from the rafting outfitters to put in just above a sweet series of waves which are scattered across the wide river.
Some will offer repeat play as long as you are suitably skilled, and come off in control. More will be 'catch-on-the-fly', one-shot play.
A good video showing some of the best parts of the run is available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/FCa0WnJtQDs?t=124
Rafting Put-in
Again, most private play-boaters will carry up to our indicated put-in, to enjoy the wonderful assortment of waves upstream.
If you are not into playing those features, you might skip the carry-up and just put in down here to catch all the main features of the run.
S-Turn
A sweet wave forms here.
Hole in the Rock
A couple of large tables of rock channel water between them. A funky wave forms here.
The Cliff
The river encounters a tall cliff face and deflects to the left. At the end of the cliff, a fine eddy and deep water allow great bow stalls and stern squirts.
Wildcat
For many, at usual levels, this is the highlight of the run. A very significant landslide from river-right altered the right side of this drop in Spring 2009. Time has helped considerably, and there are now a few different lines boaters use to run this drop.
Bailey Creek
When flows are right, a pleasant diversion is to carry up this side creek to run a steep and grungy falls.
The land formerly owned by Buzzi-Unicem has been purchased by the state to be added to Matthiesen State Park.
However, this area is not yet open to the public, so you are still in violation of trespass laws if you set out across these lands. Thus, we cannot recommend hiking up to this drop. Do so at your own risk.
See the full description of Bailey Creek
Railroad
A wonderful wave forms here at a good variety of flows. Rocks on shore are often used as a lunch stop.
Former Dam Site
After a rafter's death and the resulting lawsuit, the river was closed for a couple of years. A settlement with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources led to major safety improvements at the site, including large cement blocks to break up the dangerous hydraulic behind the dam and highly visible signage directing all river traffic to the notched right side. In 2021, the dam was fully removed—marking a major improvement for both public safety and the environment.
The Narrows
A bend and a narrowing in the river form some compression waves. As flows increase, these build nicely into a great rollercoaster ride. And, one can paddle up the inside of the bend to regain all the way up to the first wave!
Side Creek
Another pleasant diversion (after all the action on the run) is to paddle up a side canyon to view a tall waterfall in a sandstone grotto.
(FWIW, this sidecreek has a total drainage area of only 3.72 square miles.)
Take-out: Vermilion River Boat Launch
Take-out river-left just beyond the Ed Hand Highway Bridge at the Vermilion River Boat Launch.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportDam Removal Update
Looks like the dam at Buzzi Cement will soon be gone!
Just did this run @862 CFS on 6/9/2020 and it was GREAT!!! The put-in off 2219th was full of no trespassing and private property signs so I used the Lowell Canoe Launch on 2249th by Vermillion River Rafting. There is fairly limited parking at the put-in so take this into account when planning shuttles. The take-out at the Vermillion River Boat Launch is well marked with ample parking as well as a port-a-potty and plenty of grass for a picnic. As far as the actual run it was pretty tame at 862: I ran Wildcat on the left and it was a cinch, I swam at the dam because I dropped my paddle and couldn't roll barehanded, but it was still more fun than anything else. I would strongly suggest beginning paddlers portage the dam at these levels.
YAHOOOO!!!! *********************************************************************************************************************
As of Oct.25, 2018, the state of Illinois has purchase the BUZZI UNICEM property to add it to Matthiessen State Park and Starved Rock State Park. *********************************************************************************************************************
http://www.newstrib.com/free/springfield-acquires-buzzi-property-for-million-video/article\_203e37f8-d89a-11e8-9a7e-e72ef52ec0d6.html?fbclid=IwAR0Ry4xcff6cheH1HIIlR43f0OufMURYJNTq1rcGbVIXW5ddXwhac7Qpd2E
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The above article does say 'The project will indeed bring Bailey’s Falls, Wildcat Rapids and a number of ponds and wooded areas into the public domain, along with expanding access to the Vermilion River for boating and rafting.
It will be some time before the public can set foot in any of the newly-acquired areas.
Kerry Novak, complex superintendent for Starved Rock and Matthiessen, said the agency will have to conduct a number of time-consuming assessments to ensure wildlife is protected and to minimize risks to human safety.
“They’re going to have to be patient,” he said. “It’s going to take a couple of years to get in there.”'
Wildcat has changed again. Not so noticeable above 1000, but down at ~500cfs, the line is rather tight. Most folks let them selves get pushed too close to the boulder on river right, and end up flipping up stream. Below the drop looks like a mess, but it's is plenty deep - no one had any issues pitoning or anything.
As of Friday 4-26-13 @ ~ 3000 cfs The logjam at the bridge upstream of the put in is gone. So are the waves it created just below the bridge. The old waves right at the put in came back. No change at the Cat. Narrows seems very erroded on river right and no waves exist. This may due to the IL river being so high? About 1/2 mile below the Narrows on river left is one of the most impressive collections of trees ( wood ) in trees I have ever seen. 30 ft high and it goes on for 1/2 mile. With the IL so high you can easily paddle all the way back into Mathiesen Dells.
Rich
The DNR opened the Vermilion to public recreation on 3/31/12. Note that at the cement plant, paddlers must stay to the right of the overhead buoy line, as the area to the left is now a NO ENTRY zone.
The DNR also says the lease agreement does not include the legal right to scout and/or portage on cement plant property, but technically this right also didn't exist before the river was closed.
Wondering if anyone knows if the work is in progress or finished there?
I have kayaked the river in May as well. I have seen wildcat since the landslide and it is much different but wildcat is not easily a Class V+, maybe a class IV at best.