• Boat rides continue through September 28, 2025
• Historic boat operation available for sale
(LASALLE, IL – September 15, 2025) The Canal Corridor Association (CCA) has announced the permanent closure of the Volunteer, its historic replica canal boat operating on the Illinois & Michigan Canal in LaSalle, at the end of the 2025 season. The final day of public boat rides will be Sunday, September 28, 2025.
The Volunteer and its faithful mule companion, Larry, are now available for sale. The Canal Corridor Association invites nonprofits, municipalities, public agencies, and private businesses interested in continuing this unique heritage experience to inquire.
“For the past 17 years, the Volunteer has served as a living history experience, offering thousands of visitors an unforgettable journey into the past,” said Ana Koval, President of the Canal Corridor Association. “Unfortunately, circumstances beyond our control have made this model unsustainable. Without consistent federal support and dredging of the canal, we are no longer able to fund the operation of the boat moving forward.”
Since its launch in 2008, the 76-foot Volunteer has brought history to life on the canal, with every ride featuring historical re-enactors and interpreters sharing the story of the 1848 I&M Canal era. The vessel, built to U.S. Coast Guard standards, is a full-scale replica of a 19th-century canal packet boat, named in tribute to the volunteers who restored the canal in the 1970s and to the legacy of the canal itself.
Over the years, the program has welcomed school groups, tourists, and local residents, all experiencing a piece of Illinois history brought vividly to life thanks to the hard work of CCA staff, volunteers, and partners.
“We are incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished with this program,” continued Koval. “It has taken immense dedication, creativity, and passion to operate the Volunteer, manage mule care, handle changing canal conditions, and educate the public, all while fundraising to support our mission. We’re grateful to everyone who has been part of this journey.”
The Canal Corridor Association will continue to serve as the official coordinating entity of the Illinois & Michigan Canal National Heritage Area and will focus on preserving and promoting the canal’s historic, cultural, and natural assets in other impactful ways.
Click to purchase tickets for the I&M Canal Boat’s remaining dates >
Boat and Operation for Sale
Organizations interested in the Volunteer, the mule operation, and the canal boat experience are encouraged to reach out to Ana Koval directly at president@iandmcanal.org.
