The Vermilion River rises in east central Illinois in
Kankakee County and snakes its way in a generally northwesterly direction before emptying into the
Illinois River at
La Salle. It flows through
Pontiac in
Livingston County and
Matthiesen State Park near
Oglesby.
The river contains the only section of "whitewater" in northern Illinois. The section of river that contains "Wildcat Rapids" is located between Lowell and Oglesby. This is a "Class III" rapid and attracts canoeists and kayakers.
