We are located right in the middle of the Illinois Waterway (Illinois River, Upper Illinois Waterway, Des Plaines River, Chicago River). This waterway offers a full spectrum of boating experience, from the major industrial port and metropolitan area of Chicago to the small riverside villages of southwestern Illinois. There are many stretches where natural scenery prevails, and there are numerous state wildlife areas and parks along the way. As it connects America's second city to the Gulf of Mexico, the Illinois Waterway is also subject to significant volumes of commercial traffic.