Reviews: Ottawa City Dock

Review for Ottawa City Dock

Reviewed by: Eddie Deveau, Winsor Rose, on Oct 5, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 41'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

We stayed two nights here and loved it! Free electric (two 30 amp) and free water! Yes, place fenders appropriately and heed proper way to dock near bridge entrance for better depth. Aqua Maps guided us in better than Navionics. Dock does have visitors fishing but keep to themselves. Felt safe but there isn't any security-just an fyi. Two city workers came by to check on things and were very nice to talk to. The town is great with restaurants, nearby grocery and liquor store and cute shops all walkable. We even caught the farmers market before we left. We could have stayed longer but needed to keep heading south. Great stay for free!

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Review for Ottawa City Dock

Reviewed by: George Biles, Roam, on Sep 19, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 36'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Came in from below the bridge and found 6 to 7 feet of water. Agree with the prior posts about the dock being high, but just put your fenders on your rails or whatever works for you. The town is actually vibrant and healthy. Felt safe on the docks which are lit and there is power. A few fisherman hang out under the bridge, which as was noted as pretty quiet.

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Review for Ottawa City Dock

Reviewed by: Deborah Stephens on Sep 15, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.8'

Rating: 4

The free dock is as described.. fixed steel and concrete with empty space below. We had to carefully tie our bumpers, but even with pretty heavy boater traffic, it was just fine. There is about 6 ft. depth and room for 2 40ft. boats. There is electric and a hose for water. There are several floating docks to accommodate smaller boats (no electric). The dock is well lit and the only other people there were a few fisherman. There is a bridge overhead, but it was remarkably quiet. There is a grocery store and liquor store within a short walking distance. The town is super cute… lots of stores, breweries and restaurants. If I had known, I would have spent more time here than at the free dock in Joliet. Pay attention to navigation notes on approach and departure.

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Review for Ottawa City Dock

Reviewed by: Bill Mcmahon on Sep 24, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

Nice town, lousy dock. Fixed concrete and steel dock with wooden posts and some cleats. Dock is about 3 feet above the water with nothing but air under it, so placing fenders was a challenge. Even the bottom of wooden posts were so far above the water (~2') our rub rail went under them. The water was deep enough, though, and once we got secured we found a lovely town.

Good groceries and liquor stores about ½ miles away. Great Mexican Restaurant, El Jinete, a short walk away.

• WG Editor Comment:
  

  River stage = 459.0.

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Review for Ottawa City Dock

Reviewed by: Capt. Mac, Janthina, on Sep 8, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 48'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 4

We did not stay here but we visited the dock while touring Ottawa. The Ottawa Free Dock is in the middle of downtown Ottawa. The dock is off the Illinois River at the mouth of the Fox River. Exit the channel on the downstream side of the Veteran's Memorial Bridge (MM 239.7) to avoid the shoaling above the bridge on the RDB. The dock is a 100 foot long face dock with two 30 amp power pedestals. The fixed dock is in good condition but you will be using wooden poles to tie up your boat. The depth at the dock at normal pool is over 7 feet. There was a sailboat with a 6 foot draft tied to the dock and he reported no problems with depth. In addition to the face dock there are six smaller floating slips further up the river for boats up to about 35 feet.

Downtown shops and restaurants are within easy walking distance. The free dock is almost under the bridge and access to the free dock by car is easy through an open parking lot. We don't know about security but if we were going to stay there we would call the local police station to inform them of our presence. Bridge noise could be a problem too but the price is right and the town has obviously invested in the dock.

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Review for Ottawa City Dock

Reviewed by: Bruce Stewart on Sep 6, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.3'

Rating: 3

Wall is a bit rough need long fenders (balls will not work), No water at the dock. 4-5' deep along side (river stage was -2.0')

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