Located along the Des Plaines River Trail and Greenway, Lake Carina offers trails, an accessible fishing pier, toilets and parking at its main entrance on Milwaukee Avenue. Anglers can fish from the pier or from shore.

Lake access is available for cartop boats, canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and other small non-motorized watercraft. Electric trolling motors are allowed. Trailers are not permitted. Launching is free and at your own risk. You'll need approved flotation gear.

A second entrance to the north near Grand Avenue provides access to the Des Plaines River Trail and a canoe launch along the river.

Trails:

A short trail provides walk-in access from Milwaukee Avenue and connects the parking area with the fishing pier. A 1-mile mowed grass trail encircles the lake and is ideal for hiking and nature observation, and cross-country skiing. Please keep dogs leashed and on trails at all times, and pick up after them. Learn about our off-leash Dog Parks (permit required).

Des Plaines River Canoe Launch and Trail Access:

A Des Plaines River canoe launch is separate from the rest of Lake Carina with its own entrance adjacent to Gurnee's Gowe Park at McClure Avenue and O'Plaine Road just south of Grand Avenue (Route 132). If you put your canoe in here, the next Forest Preserve ramp is at the Independence Grove Canoe Launch, 5.1 miles downstream.

The launch area offers access to the river, shoreline fishing, a trail connection to the Des Plaines River Trail, and public parking.