Salt Creek

The early stretch of this trip near the launch includes some "Flatlander Rapids" - with a current flowing fast enough to excite the kids without being challenging.  Then you'll float gently in the woods, through Brookfield Zoo (though you can't see the cages) and down to the confluence where Salt Creek empties into the Des Plaines River.

• launch in Brezina Woods (Westchester); take out at Plank Road Meadow
• a great family float in the west suburbs