20100 Hazlet Park Rd.
Carlyle, IL 62231
618.594.3015
It seems appropriate for the largest campground in the Illinois state park
system to be located on the largest manmade lake in Illinois. Eldon Hazlet State
Recreation Area is a 3,000-acre site on the west shore of Carlyle Lake, a
Kaskaskia River impoundment. The site is located 3 miles north of Carlyle and 2
miles east of Illinois Route 127 in Clinton County.
The site is leased by the Department of Natural Resources from the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, which built the 26,000-acre lake. It is named for a Carlyle
attorney who organized the Kaskaskia Valley Association. Eldon Hazlet was the
first president of the organization, which promoted construction of two of
Illinois’ three largest reservoir/recreational complexes - Carlyle Lake and Lake
Shelbyville - plus other improvements on the Kaskaskia River.
Picture of Illini CampgroundAnnually, more than 800,000 visitors come to the
park to camp, boat, fish, hunt, picnic, bird watch and to hike over 9 miles of
trails in the park, or attend the sailboat regattas held almost every summer
weekend. Whatever type of recreation you choose, it’s probably offered at
Carlyle Lake.
Camping
Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area is probably best known for its camping
facilities. The Illini Campground has 328 Class A campsites with 30 and 50 amp
electrical hook-ups, 36 Class C campsites for walk-in tent camping and two
rustic rent-a-cabins. Cabin Reservation Form | Campground Reservation Form
 Seven Class A
campsites are accessible to individuals in wheelchairs. The campground occupies
almost 1 1/2 miles of the Carlyle Lake shoreline, and most of the campsites are
within easy reach of the water. Many campers keep their boats in the coves
located along the campground. Illini Campground Map (page 1) (page 2)
Three shower buildings are located in the campground, plus numerous privy
toilets. Recreational amenities include several sets of playground equipment, a
basketball court, a sand volleyball court, horseshoe pits, an amphitheater, and
hiking trails. Plenty of parking is available for vehicles and boat trailers. To
register for a campsite see one of the campground hosts or a site security
officer.
Reservations can be made for Class A sites 1 -65 (reservation sites map).
Reservations are accepted by mail only in January and starting in February, by
mail or in-person for the remainder of the year. A maximum of six reservations
per person, per envelope are accepted. A non-refundable fee of $5 plus the first
night's camping fee must be included with the reservation. Contact the park
office for further information at 618-594-3015.
The Eldon Hazlet Campground Store, located at the entrance to the Illini
Campground, is a 2,000 square foot store with contains groceries, camping and
fishing supplies, clothes, live bait, ice and fire wood. A public laundry room
and outdoor patio are also available. Please call the store at 618/594-3387 for
hours of operation.
South Shore State Park (Site Map) is a 3-mile long park located on Carlyle
Lake's southeast side, approximately 3 miles east for the City of Carlyle on
Route 50. The park provides recreational opportunities, including a small boat
access, a Class C campground with vehicular access, five day-use areas for
picnicking, a 3/4 mile hiking trails, as well as outstanding bank fishing
opportunities. Observing wildlife, especially white-tailed deer, is another
popular activity. For more information on South Shore State Park call Eldon
Hazlet Site Office at618-594-3015.
Swimming Pool
A public swimming pool is located behind the campground store. The pool is open
form Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. With a zero entry to 4 1/2
foot depth and staffed by a lifeguard, the pool is ideal for families with small
children. Maximum capacity is 450 swimmers.
Natural Features
Wildlife abounds at Eldon Hazlet, in part due to the natural resource management
program implemented at the park. Various types of warm season grasses and
legumes are planted to provide supplemental cover and food for wildlife. Brush
piles and nest structures such as bluebird boxes have been placed throughout the
park. The restoration of natural habitats such as prairie and wetlands has also
benefited the local wildlife populations.Picuture of wetland and shorebird
Across from the site office, a 3-acre tallgrass prairie can be viewed with more
than 50 species of native plants. Numerous species of wildflowers bloom in the
summer including compass plant, blazing star, purple coneflowers, rattlesnake
master, American feverfew and stiff tickseed.
Deer, red foxes, raccoons, squirrels, woodchucks, quail, doves and songbirds,
including bluebirds, are among the wildlife species to be seen. More than
200,000 waterfowl stop at the lake on their migratory travels north and south
each year and can be seen from the park. Along with waterfowl, other types of
birds commonly seen at the park include wading birds such as herons and egrets,
shorebirds, songbirds and raptors.
Sailing
Picture of sailboatA combination of wide open water, low surrounding terrain and
strong winds provide conditions which make Carlyle Lake one of the Midwest’s
most popular sailing lakes. Regional and national regattas are held here, and in
1994 the sailing competition of the US Olympic Festival games was hosted by
Eldon Hazlet State Park and the Carlyle Sailing Association.
A 40-acre sailboat harbor, protected in a deep inlet, is at the south end of the
park. It is operated as a land-based marina, meaning all boats are stored on
land. The sailboat harbor is leased from the park by the Carlyle Sailing
Association (CSA), which operates it as a concession for members. However,
non-members may launch boats there by paying a fee.
In addition to boat launching privileges, payment of the fee entitles the
non-member to use all of the harbor’s other facilities. They include showers,
picnic tables, play equipment, day-use docks, and a large shelter with
electricity and a barbecue pit. Also, when slots are available, parking
privileges in the harbor’s members-only overnight boat parking area may be
extended to non-members who are staying several days at the park and who pay the
launching fee.
The harbor complex has both a conventional boat launching ramp and three
electric hoists which can place sailboats up to 2,000 pounds - in the 16- to
18-foot range - in the water from the harbor wall. For additional information,
contact the harbor master at (618)594-3622 or visit their web site at
www.csa-sailing.org
Boating
Because of its central location relative to the lake, the park is a great place
to launch a boat. Three boat ramps are available to the public free of charge.
Allen Branch Day Use Area is one of the most popular boat launching spots on the
lake. It offers a four-lane boat ramp with a handicapped accessible courtesy
dock, plus two picnic shelters and privy toilets. Apache Day Use Area has a
two-lane ramp, picnic shelter, play equipment, fish cleaning station and privy
toilets. Peppenhorst Branch has a graveled small-boat ramp used by anglers and
hunters.
Hiking
Picture of hiking trailMore than 9 miles of trails are available to hikers at
Eldon Hazlet. The 3-mile Cherokee Trail has three separate loops that pass
through a mature oak-hickory forest over gently rolling terrain, offering great
views of the lake. The Pawnee Trail is a 1-mile loop trail that runs along the
highest point on Carlyle Lake. Both the Cherokee and Pawnee trails lead to
Burnside Cemetery, a restored cemetery with tombstones that date to the 1830s.
The Kaskaskian Trail is a 2 1/2-mile loop trail that begins at the park office
and passes by the youth campground, the Pawnee Trail, various day use areas and
the Eagle trail, a 3/4-mile loop near the north end of Illini Campground. A 1/4
-mile accessible interpretive trail is located within the 3-acre prairie
restoration directly across from the park office. The 1-mile Illini Trail is
located across from the Campground Store and loops around the Illini Fishing
Pond. All trails are closed Wednesday through Sunday during pheasant season.
Picnicking
Eight picnic areas are available in the park, all of which are located near the
lake. Tables and grills are provided at all of the picnic areas, and five of the
areas have electricity-equipped shelters that can be reserved either by mail or
in-person. The largest is a 40-by-80-foot shelter located at the Olympic
Festival Day Use Area. A fee is required to reserve shelters. Shelter
Reservation Form.
Picture of interpretive program participantsInterpretive Programs
 A full-time site
interpreter and seasonal interpreters are available to provide educational
programs for school and youth groups throughout the year. During the summer
months, hikes, interpretive programs and recreational activities are offered
every weekend to campers and visitors. For more information and to schedule
programs contact the site interpreter at (618)594-3015.
Fishing
Certainly one of the most popular activities at Carlyle Lake is fishing. More
than 30 species of fish occur at the lake, including such local favorites as
white bass, channel catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, bluegill, carp and
buffalo. Bank fishing is allowed anywhere in the park. The Allen Branch area is
most often used and offers an accessible fishing pier. A fish cleaning station
(also accessible) is located at Apache Boat Ramp.
.
Illini Pond is a 4-acre fishing pond with a walk-out pier and is located across
from the Campground Store on the Illini Trail. The lake is stocked with bass,
bluegill and catfish and provides easy fishing opportunities for children of all
ages.
Hunting | Hunter Fact Sheet
 The park has
more than 50 acres designated for archery deer hunting, dove hunting, and upland
game hunting. In addition, a controlled pheasant hunting program is held every
year at the park, usually from early November to early January. Advance permits
and controlled pheasant hunting information is available on-line at
lrsidnrpermits.com. Eldon Hazlet can accommodate 125 hunters per day, Wednesday
through Sunday.
Picture of pheasant hunterThe park also offers pheasant hunting and archery deer
hunting opportunities for disabled hunters. For more information and site
specific regulations on hunting, please contact the park office at 618/594-3015
and review the Hunter Fact Sheet.
An archery range with an elevated platform is located in the park and is open
all year except during the controlled pheasant season.
Group Camping
Youth group camping is available at the Osage Youth Group Area. With easy access
to the lake and plenty of hiking trails, this area is a favorite of Scout and
Church groups. The campground has a picnic shelter, privy toilets and drinking
water. Although the area is not reservable, it is very large and can accommodate
hundreds of campers. Youth groups may schedule nature hikes or interpretive
programs by calling the site interpreter.
Lakefront Cottages
Lakefront cottageTwenty lakefront cottages are available for rent in the park.
The cottages are located on the Carlyle Lake shoreline offering a spectacular
view of the lake. The 780 square foot units contain a kitchenette, bar, living
area, bedroom, loft and deck. The kitchenette is equipped with stove,
refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker and sink. Other amenities include cable tv,
linens, and cookware. Twelve complimentary boat docks are available to cottage
renters upon request. For more information on prices and availability, please
call 1-877-342-8862 or 618-594-3386.
 * While
groups of 25 or more are welcome and encouraged to use the park's facilities,
they are required to register in advance with the site office to avoid crowding
or scheduling conflicts.
* At least one responsible adult must accompany each group of 15 minors.
* Pets must be kept on leashes at all times.
* Actions by nature can result in closed roads and other facilities. Please call
ahead to the park office before you make your trip.
* We hope you enjoy your stay. Remember, take only memories, leave only
footprints.
* For more information on tourism in Illinois, call the Illinois Department of
Economic Opportunity, Bureau of Tourism at 1-800-2Connect.
* Telecommunication Device for Deaf and Hearing Impaired Natural Resources
Information (217) 782-9175 for TDD only Relay Number 800-526-0844.
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