Lake Arlington

This man-made lake (the earth removed was transported to a landfill to form Nickol Knoll Golf Club) was created to ease flooding problems. The 2-mile walking path is used year-round. The 50-acre detention lake allows boating but no swimming. Check out the Lake Arlington Programs.

Season Dates | Memorial Day to Labor Day

BOATHOUSE HOURS:
August 13-20 | 11AM-5PM

August 21-25 | CLOSED

August 26 & 27 | 11AM-5PM

August 28-September 1 | CLOSED

Labor Day Weekend | 11AM-5PM

Operating Season 2023

Boat Storage

The boat and storage area holds boats up to 14’ long and 4’ wide. Canoes, rowboats, kayaks, crew boats and sailboats can fit into the storage unit. No sail boards, or boats with motors are allowed. Arlington Heights Park District reserves the right to question and/or disallow any boat. Trailer storage is not available. Dollies are provided to assist in moving your boat.

Storage Dates

Boat Rentals - Everyday 10AM until 5:30PM with following exceptions:

July 17-21 and July 24-28 rentals start at 12:30 PM.

The Park District rents sailboats and paddle-boats during the summer and fall season.

• Minimum age to rent a boat is 12 years old with a signed waiver.
• A waiver is required of all persons renting a boat.
• Anyone under 16 years of age will be required to have a current waiver on file with the Park District, signed by a parent or guardian.
• All boaters are required to wear a personal flotation device (P.F.D.) while on the water. Lake Arlington will provide P.F.D.’s for all renters.
• Children under 12 years of age who have been in a sail camp during the summer and have instructor approval will be allowed to rent a sailboat with a parent or guardian on site.
• You MUST have participated in a Lake Arlington Sail camp or lesson and have instructor approval to rent a sailboat; or
• You MUST demonstrate through a verbal test that you have sailing experience and can sail a dinghy.

Rental Rates - all rentals are for 1 hour

* Sailboats- Please call 847-577-3054 prior to 3pm during the week and one hour in advance on the weekends.

Boat Launching

Boaters are allowed to launch their own craft at Lake Arlington. Currently there are no restrictions on size. However, there are no ramps. All boats will have to be carried down to the boat launch area. No sailboards, or motors will be allowed. Sailboats, rowboats, kayaks and canoes are welcome. Daily fee: $10 weekdays & weekends

Season Launch Pass: $60/$80 NR

All boaters, whether they rent from the Park District or bring in their own boat, are required to wear a personal flotation device while on the water. P.F.D’s. are provided for all renters.

Camps

We offer an exciting Adventure Camp and Sailing Camp for nine to fourteen year olds. View Lake Arlington camps in our Summer Program Guide.

• 2023 Sail Camp Packet

• 2023 Camp Welcome Letter

Sailing and Kayaking Lessons

Learn to sail or kayak. We offer lessons all summer. View more information.

Instructors Needed

Anyone with several years of sailing knowledge is invited to share their experience with our participants. 

Posted Rules

Specific rules and regulations regarding the use of Lake Arlington are posted at various locations throughout the lake site. Everyone using the site is expected to know the rules and follow them.

If you have any questions about the site, call 847-577-3054.

Fishing at Lake Arlington is regulated by all Illinois Department of Conservation rules and regulations. Fishing licenses are required for 16-65 year olds. The Park district has stocked the Lake with bass, bluegill, catfish and northern fingerlings.

*A catch and release program is in effect for the fishing season. Only Carp and Gizzard Shad can be taken from the Lake.

PATH ETIQUETTE

Travel Safely & Pass with Care

• Always walk, run, and roll at a CONTROLLED SPEED
• Bicyclists must yield to ALL other path users
• Skaters/Rollerbladers must yield to PEDESTRIANS
• Bicyclists pass on the right and use PASSING ZONES when possible 

• COMMUNICATE when passing others.  Example: “On your RIGHT”

Follow the "Right of Way" Rules

• PEDESTRIANS always have the right of way
• The outside lane is for bikes and skaters/rollerbladers in a COUNTER CLOCKWISE DIRECTION
• The inside lane is for pedestrians moving in EITHER DIRECTION
• SLOW DOWN at path intersections

• Always ANTICIPATE other path users

Protect Yourself & Respect Others

• Keep headphone VOLUME LOW 
• Respect any WILDLIFE you encounter and keep your distance
• NO dogs allowed
• RESPECT private property

• BE SAFE. Call 911 if you feel unsafe on the path at any time

Keep The Path Clean

• Please put litter in ITS PLACE. Thank you.