Dock
$3.50/ft - $6/ft
Mooring
Not Offered
Day Trip
Not Offered
Chicago, IL 60601
Check-out before 11:00 AM
About DuSable Harbor, The Chicago Harbors
Please Note: 2-3 night minimum may be charged for special events of holidays. DuSable Harbor has a 30' minimum.
DuSable Harbor is located in the heart of downtown Chicago at the foot of Randolph Street. Surrounded by a towering skyline and being the only harbor with slips close to the loop, it is a very popular mooring location. Hemmed in by the Columbia Yacht Club to the south, the harbor was completed in 2000 by closing in part of Monroe Harbor, thus the entrance is thru Monroe Harbor headed north along the eastern breakwater. There are 420 slips at DuSable with accommodations for boats 30’-90’ in length.
Transient docking is available; please visit our Dockwa page or call the harbor office for reservations any time after May 1st. Waste pump-out equipment is provided on a no-charge basis on the end-cap of D-Dock. The harbor monitors VHF channels 9 and 16 and the switch to/working channel is 67.
Captains & Crew: All of of our overnight transient slips are on floating docks.
Mailing Address: 150 N Lake shore Drive Chicago, 60601 Secondary Address: Columbia Yacht Club Please include both
Harbor Master: John Meidinger
Services
Amenities
Info
Photos
A Wanderer's Guide to DuSable Harbor
It is hard to get closer to downtown Chicago than DuSable Harbor. Walk the iconic Chicago Riverwalk, bike along Lake Michigan on the Lakefront Trail, take a picture at the Bean, eat deep dish delivered to your boat, or venture out for some delicious Chicago cuisine. There is no shortage of activities accessible by land or water from DuSable Harbor to explore all Chicago has to offer.
Approach and Dockage
Despite Lake Michigan’s reputation for kicking up some wind and waves, DuSable Harbor is well protected behind two breakwalls. The entrance is about 0.8 miles south of the Chicago Harbor Lock and there is only one way in and out of the harbor. Head through the red and green markers past the secondary breakwall and turn to your starboard side. Head between the mooring field and the breakwall towards the large ship, which is the Columbia Yacht Club. Continue past the Columbia Yacht Club and you will enter DuSable Harbor. There are 8 docks labeled with a letter A-H, with A being the farthest north dock. Transient slips are throughout the marina so be sure to check where your slip is located. Friendly and helpful dockhands are available to help you tie up.
Monroe Harbor, also operated by the city, offers mooring balls that you pass when headed into DuSable for $1/foot (at time of writing). They offer a regular tender service as well to pick and drop you off on land and to bathrooms/showers. While the mooring field is relatively protected, be cautious as it can get rocky, making it uncomfortable for some to stay onboard. If DuSable is filled, some stay on a mooring ball until a transient slip opens up.
Marina Amenities
Bathrooms/Showers The bathrooms and showers are locked by a code and located next to Cafe Michelle and the public bathrooms (that do not require a code to access). Depending on where you are, it can be a short or long walk from your slip.
Laundry A single dryer and washer coin operated is located in the same building as the bathrooms and showers.
Pump-Out Free self-serve pump-out is located at the end of Dock D 24/7.
Pet-Access DuSable Marina is located along the Chicago’s Lakefront Trail, which is a heavily trafficked paved running, walking, biking path with green spaces perfectl for taking a pet to shore.
Proximity to Attractions by Land
Chicago Riverwalk (0.4 miles) The 1.25 mile path takes walkers alongside the Chicago River. Dotted with restaurants, parks, and sights, it is one of the best ways to experience the architecture of the city. Take a run on a weekday morning before it gets crowded, or on a warm afternoon grab a drink at one of their many outdoor bars and watch the pedestrian and water traffic go by. If you want to travel the Chicago River by water and not in your boat, grab a kayak or hop on an architecture tour.
Lakefront Trail (0 miles) Once you step off your dock, be sure to look rigth and left for walkers, runners, and bikers along Chicago’s Lakefront Trail. This 18-mile trail lines Lake Michigan and is a great way to take in some Chicago and Lake Michigan views by bike or foot. It can get popular before/after work and especially on weekends, so just be sure to keep a lookout for bikers or joggers before hopping on.
Millenium Park (0.7 miles) One of Chicago’s most iconic parks, take a picture at the Bean, walk through Lurie Gardens, get your feet wet at Crown Fountain, or if you’re lucky, attend one of many music fesivals open to the public.
Navy Pier (0.5 miles) Take a stroll along the Lakefront Trail to Chicago’s Navy Pier, for some beautiful views of Lake Michigan. Grab a bite to eat or depending on the time of the year, check out one of their seasonal displays or events.
Museums (1+ miles) There is no shortage of impressive and engaging museums, many within walking distance from DuSable Harbor. The hardest part won’t be trying to get there, it will be deciding which one to go to. Museums within 1.5 miles include The Art Institute of Chicago, the Field Museum, and the Museum of Contempoary Photography. Chinatown (by water taxi or 3.2 miles by foot) You can get to Chinatown by land, but one of the best ways is by watertaxi. Hop on at the Chicago Riverwalk and cruise to one of the city’s most unique neighborhoods, which dates back to 1912. The neighborhood has some impressive sites, such as the Ping Tom Memorial Park or the Pui Tak Center, and great dining options, so be sure to come hungry. Some favorites include Chiu Quon Bakery and Dim Sum and Imperial Restaurant.
Dining Options (Varies) There are no shortage of great places to eat in Chicago, and for some of the better dining options, encourage you to explore beyond what’s only available within walking distance. There are several guides to help figure out where to eat based on your tastes, but some favorites include the burger at Au Cheval, sandwiches at J.P. Graziano Grocery, donuts from Stan’s Donuts and Coffee, breakfast at Wildberry Pancakes and Cafe, and deep dish pizza from Pequod’s (they deliver).
Proximity to Attractions By Water
Chicago River If you don’t want to take an archituecture tour, or perhaps you have a local friend who knows enough and is looking for a boat ride, cruise up and down the Chicago River yourself. There can be some boat traffic, especially on weekends, but it’s hard to beat cruising this iconic waterway in your own vessel (and impressing your Chicago friends). Just heads up that you do have to enter and exit through the Chicago Harbor Lock.
Playpen/Monroe Harbor Anchorage On a calm, warm day, head over to the Playpen or Monroe Harbor anchoarages and drop the hook. Jump into Lake Michigan’s blue water while looking up at the Chicago skyline–it doesn’t get more peak-Chicago summer than this. Weekends can get busy, but plenty of room for several boats in both locations.
Chicago Harbor Lock Constructed in the 1930s to reverse the flow of the Chicago River to prevent sewage from entering Lake Michigan, the Chicago Harbor Lock plays an important role in serving as a barrier to Lake Michigan and the Chicago River. (Don’t worry, the Chicago River is much cleaner than in the 1930s.) The lock operates 24/7.