Tampier Lake, created in 1964 by damming Long Run Creek, offers 131 acres of paddling opportunity in Cook County, Illinois. Located at 131st Street west of Wolf Road near Orland Park, the lake features a concrete boat launch with grooved concrete under water at the ramp edge. The lake averages 5.5 feet deep with a maximum depth of 10 feet, and its shoreline drops quickly to the average depth before expanding into a featureless basin.

The Tampier Lake Boating Center operates from April through October, offering kayak, canoe, and rowboat rentals. Private paddlers can launch their own vessels at the trailered boat launch. Only electric motors are permitted - gas motors must be removed from boats. All watercraft users must wear personal flotation devices as mandated by federal law.

The lake environment is characterized by open grasslands surrounding the water. Wind-driven re-suspension of soft sediments affects water clarity, resulting in sparse rooted aquatic vegetation. Wildlife viewing opportunities include great blue herons and cormorants, with water lilies visible in several areas.

Facilities include a concrete boat launch, ample parking, fishing piers, handicap-accessible areas, and a bait shop that also sells snacks. Both flush toilets (at the Boat Rental/Bait Shop on the east side) and pit toilets are available.

The lake offers a relatively peaceful paddling experience - visitors typically focus on fishing, boating, and picnicking, with minimal noise disruption. Swimming is strictly prohibited, with one reported drowning in 1996 related to swimming from a boat. A sandbar exists within the lake that occasionally becomes submerged.

For planning purposes, note that watercraft are not permitted north of 131st Street. The boating center typically operates Fridays through Mondays in mid-April, expanding to daily operation in May, with availability weather-dependent.