This river trip is a great mixture of scenery including quiet rural areas, lots of wooded forest preserves, and suburban developments west of Chicago. The river starts just south of St. Charles Road and travels south for many miles through multiple forest preserve areas that are home to abundant wildlife and birdlife. The river is cleared often but there is always a risk of downed trees and logs along the way that may require some careful navigation. The water can also be shallow at spots but the flow is nothing to fast so it is a good option for paddlers of all skill levels. There are a few other access points to the river along this stretch allowing paddlers to go out for a shorter trip.