There are many outdoor things to do and see in Ottawa. Often referred to as the "Scenic Route to Starved Rock State Park," Ottawa is just minutes from the legendary wooded cliffs, soaring river bluffs and impressive waterfalls that attract more than two million visitors a year. Whether hiking along the I&M Canal or fishing in the Illinois River, Ottawa is a "natural" delight.

Power-boating, sailing and jet skiing are extremely popular in the "The Town of Two Rivers," with public access ramps conveniently located in the city's Allen Park.

Winter enthusiasts enjoy cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and hiking along the many inspiring canyons and ice-sculpted waterfalls along nearby scenic State Park trails.

Enjoy the magic of Ottawa, whether by hiking nature trails, mountain biking, canoeing or simply by contemplating the scenic vistas. Ottawa offers a complete list of things to do and places to visit.

Ayers Landing Canoe Rental 3494 E. 2089th Rd, PO Box 82 | Wedron , IL, 60557 | 815-434-2233 OR 800 540 2394 | We offer canoe rentals on the Fox River. Open 7 days a week April through October. Call anytime!...Visit Website

B&B Live Bait 1025 LaSalle St | O, IL, 61350 | 815-433-0432 | Going fishing and need fresh bait? Come by and see our large selection of fishing bait ,including minnows for pond feeding. Located minutes from the Fox and Illinois Rivers. Open Spring to Fall!

Buffalo Range Shooting Park 1252 N 2803 rd Rd | Ottawa, IL, 61350 | 815-431-9913 | shootingpark@hotmail.com Offering a wide range of shooting targets: Rifle Range, Shotgun Range, Plinking Pit. Range entrance fees are: Adult (age 16 & up) $25.00, Children (age 15 & under) $15.00. Open Season is April through September and hours are Monday & Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday & Sunday 9am-6pm. Visit www.buffalorangeshootingpark.com for more information. ...Visit Website

Buffalo Rock State Park Dee Bennet Road | Ottawa, IL, 61350 | | Buffalo Rock State Park is located on a bluff which was once an island in the Illinois River. Now standing majestically on the north bank, this promontory affords a magnificent sweeping view of the Illinois River. Located approximately three miles west of Ottawa in LaSalle County, this 298 acre park has long been a favorite picnic area, as well as a nature lovers delight. The area of Buffalo Rock was the home of the Illinois Indians when Louis Jolliet, the French explorer, and the Jesuit missionary priest Father Jacques Marquette made their trip up the Illinois River in 1673. Later the Illinois Tribe was virtually annihilated in protracted warfare with the aggressive Iroquois....Visit Website

C & M Canoe Rental 3401 E 2062nd Rd | Ottawa, IL, 61350 | 815-434-6690 | Come have a blast canoeing on the Fox River with C & M Canoe Rental. The Fox River is very scenic and fun to canoe. You, your family and friends can enjoy canoeing, fishing and swimming. Open Spring through Fall - 7 days a week Now available - Primitive Camping! The lower Fox River is one of the most scenic canoeing areas in the Midwest. It is known for sandstone cliffs, abundant wildlife, and scenic seasonal views. This back to nature area is a great way for the novice paddler to get their feet wet. The friendly people at C & M Canoe Rental can supply you with everything you need for your 2-3 hour or 2 day canoe outing. Canoeing rental rates include the use of a 17-foot river canoe, paddles, life jackets and transportation to a launch spot. ...Visit Website

Catlin Park 2560 E. 1251 Road | Ottawa, IL, 61350 | 815 434 0518 | Open May through October, Catlin Parks 333 acres are a mix of pine and deciduous forests, prairie grasses, rugged ravines, winding stream beds, deer in abundance, wild turkeys, birds, squirrels, and rabbits. The park's well-organized trail system hosts 14 distinct trails plus numerous connector trails. These trails course throughout the park's habitats, including its various streams and ponds. The trails are used by horseback riders, hikers, mountain bikers, joggers, birdwatchers, and photographers. The well-groomed trails are perfect for novice horses or riders, yet challenging enough for more seasoned riders. Adjacent to a 120x60 ft. horse arena is an obstacle course used by the LaSalle County Sheriff's Mounted Search and Rescue Posse. This course, which provides various desensitizing activities for training horses, is open to the public. Parking areas, picnic shelters, playground equipment, water, and outdoor restrooms are strategically located throughout the trail system. Minimal fees for trail use by horses and bicycles help to defer costs of upkeep....Visit Website

Dayton Ridge Golf Club 3076 E 18th Rd | Ottawa, IL, 61350 | 815-434-0145 OR 815-434-0853 | 9 Hole Golf Course-Bar-Restaurant

Disc Golf Fox River Park, 1025 Ontario St | Ottawa, IL, 61350 | | Come test your skills at Ottawa's very own Disc Golf course located at the scenic Fox River Park. Score cards and directions can be found at the Ottawa Visitors Center. Remember to bring your own disc! Call 888-OTTAWA-4 for more information. Sponsored by Ottawa Recreation.

Fox Valley Off Road 1952 N 35th Rd | Ottawa, IL, 61350 | 815-431-9913 | foxvalleyoffroad @aol.com The Place to Ride! Fox Valley Off Road is a subsidiary of Motor Pro Inc. which also owns Megacross.com. This is a DHV park and is for motorcycles, and 4-wheel ATV's only. Hours of operation are Saturday & Sunday 10am - 5pm. Prices are: Adult Riders - $20.00 and Youth Riders 12 & under $10.00. Rentals are not available. Visit www.foxvalleyoffroad.com ...Visit Website

Heritage Harbor Ottawa 1970 N 2753rd Rd | Ottawa, IL, 61350 | 815-433-5000 | Fax: 815-433-5016 | Heritage Harbor is a marina resort community nestled at the crossing of the two rivers, the Fox and the Illinois featuring: a full service marina, concierge services, and a restaurant (seasonal). See their website for a full description and more information....Visit Website

Land of OZ Corn Maze 2662 E. 1951 St | Ottawa, IL, 61350 | 815-488-5000 OR 815-434-4409 | Get lost in some Corn! Camp Fire USA sponsores the Land of Oz Corn Maze. Open weekends in the fall. Children 5 and under are free. The corn maze will accommodate groups during the week. Night hikes are available by reservation only, with a minimum of six participants required. Rates are $7 per person. Pumpkin Patch opens later in the season. $5.00 per person and 7.00 per person for NIGHT hikes! Weather permiting Corn Maze will run from August 28th - October 23rd

Matthiessen State Park Route 178 | Utica, IL, 61350 | 815-667-4276 | Canyons, streams, prairie and forest combine to delight visitors at Matthiessen State Park. Located in central LaSalle County, approximately four miles south of Utica and three miles east of Oglesby, Matthiessen is a paradise for those interested in geology as well as recreation. Visitors can expect to see beautiful rock formations in addition to unusual and abundant vegetation and wildlife. All of this, along with park and picnic facilities, make Matthiessen State Park a popular choice for a special outing...Visit Website

Pine Hills Golf Course 1/2 mile sout of Ottawa off Rt 23 | Ottawa, IL, 61350 | 815-434-3985 | Play a challenging round of golf on the area's most scenic golf course. Fully stocked Pro-Shop. Snack bar. Open 7 days a week...365 days a year.

Public Boat Launches & Docks The City of Ottawa offers four available sites with public boat launches and docks: *Allen Park - 2 Boat Launches and 2 Docks available. Located along the Illinois River on the soutside of Ottawa. *Fox River Park - Boat Launch available. Located along the Fox River. *River Walk - Docks available. Located along the Fox River. *Illinois River Bridge - Docks available. Located along the Illinois River directly under the Bridge on the North Bank. ...Visit Website

Riordan Swimming Pool 500 East Norris Drive | Ottawa, IL, 61350 | 815-433-4324 | Take a break from the summer heat and cool off at Ottawa's local pool! Enjoy fun water features such as a slide, umbrella fountains, and a wadding/baby pool. OPENING DAY MAY 29th (Weather Permitting)! Open 7 days a week from 11:30am - 6pm. Cost: $3 per person, 2 and under free. Concessions sold at pool. Available for rentals....Visit Website

Riverwalk 100 W. Lafayette St | Ottawa, IL, 61350 | 1-888-OTTAWA-4 | Take a leisurely stroll or bike ride along the Fox and Illinois Rivers on Ottawa's beautiful Riverwalk. You'll enjoy beautiful river and scenic views as the Riverwalk winds along the rivers and through some of Ottawa's public parks and boat launches. Don't forget to bring your disc golf or fishing gear, the Riverwalk passes by Ottawa's Disc Golf course and many different fishing spots.

Skydive Chicago 3215 E 1969th Road | Ottawa, IL, 61350 | 815-433-0000 | Fax: 815-433-6806 | info@skydivechicago.com Nestled on the West bank of the Fox River approximately 75 miles from Chicago lies the Skydive Chicago Airport, designed from the ground up to efficiently function as a skydiving training and recreation center. This 230-acre complex contains a large hangar that provides 15,000 square feet of shade and shelter adjoining 22,500 square feet of classrooms, common areas with satellite feed, recreation centers with pool tables and video games, a pro shop, video department and deli that serves food and alcoholic beverages. At night, enjoy movies or a club-type party in our two level auditorium theatre, featuring a 30,000-watt sound and projection system. Just to the East is a full hook-up campground featuring a large pond that¹s surrounded by sprawling decks and highlighted by a serene island. On the North shore is a beautiful white sand beach that adjoins a large pavilion with showers, laundry facilities and volleyball court. This entire complex is surrounded by acres of pastures that gently roll to the banks of the Fox River. Canoeing, hiking/biking trails and horseback riding are also available on the property. ...Visit Website

Starved Rock Adventures 1 Dee Bennett Rd. | Ottawa, IL, 61350 | 815-434-9200 | We are Illinois's premiere water resort: houseboats, waterfront condos, pontoon boats, speedboats, jet skis, and canoe rentals. Home of the Starved Rock State Park's "Belle of the Rock" and Ottawa's "Ottawa Lady" Boats! Offering 45 minute, narrated cruises along the Illinois River every hour on the hour. Open April 1st - October 31st. Monday - Friday 9-5. Weekends and holidays 9-6....Visit Website

Starved Rock State Park Rt 71 & Rt 178 | Utica, IL, 61373 | 815-667-4726 | Experience the fun of outdoor adventure at Starved Rock State Park. Whether you enjoy hiking along the nature trails or viewing the many spectacular overlooks along the Illinois River, recreational opportunities abound. From picnicking to fishing to boating, from horseback riding to camping to enjoying winter sports, there's so much to do that you'll come back again and again....Visit Website

Tobbagan Run Allen Park | Ottawa, IL, 61350 | | Bundle up and slide on down - the toboggan run is fun for the whole family! Bring your sled and enjoy a day in the snow at Ottawa's Toboggan Run - Located on the east side of Allen Park.

Water Feature at Fox River Park 1025 Ontario St | Ottawa, IL, 61350 | | The new water feature at Fox River Park is an ideal way for kids to splash, run, play, and cool off in the hot summer sun! While there take advantage of the newly installed playground equipment and Disc Golf! ...Visit Website