This tributary of the Illinois River is a nice change from a lot of the rivers in Illinois that are flat with very little elevation change. This narrow river provides paddlers with lots of rapids and riffles as it curves past scenic cliffs and wooded terrain. Due to being very narrow and having lots of wooded shoreline, obstructions and downed trees are a possibility and can present some challenge. There are also some dams located just south after setting out of Troy Grove that do require portaging. The safety of floating the Little Vermillion River is very dependent on water levels so be sure to check the current conditions before setting out. The put-in and take-out points do not provide lots of area for parking or super convenient access so be sure to park and launch safely.