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- Eldon Hazlet Brochure
Park Brochure
It seems appropriate for one of the largest campgrounds 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 western 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.
Eldon Hazlet SRA attracts more than 800,000 visitors annually to camp, boat, fish, hunt, picnic, birdwatch, and hike more than 9 miles of trails. Also popular are the sailboat regattas, held almost every summer weekend.
The site is leased by the IDNR from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which built the 26,000-acre lake. The state recreation area is named for Carlyle attorney Eldon Hazlet, the first president of the Kaskaskia Valley Association, which organized and promoted construction of two of Illinois' three largest reservoir/recreational complexes—Carlyle Lake and Lake Shelbyville—plus other improvements on the Kaskaskia River.
Eldon Hazlet SRA is probably best known for its camping facilities. The Illini Campground has 328 Class A campsites with 30 and 50 amp electrical hookups, 36 Class C campsites for walk-in tent camping, and two rustic rent-a-cabins (Campground Map).
A campground store and public swimming pool are located at the campground. Camping reservations can be made online at ExploreMoreIL™.
Carlyle Lake Cottages in Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area features twenty beautiful cottages - six duplex buildings and six single buildings with 780 square feet available for your getaway. Located on Carlyle Lake shoreline, each unit offers a kitchenette with a microwave, stove, small refrigerator, coffee maker, dishes, cookware, utensils, two barstools and counter bar for dining. A spacious living area with a couch, loveseat, and 50" TV. The unit will accommodate up to four people, offering a queen size bed downstairs, two twin beds in the open loft and a full bathroom. All cottages offer central air and heat; single cottages and duplexes 13-20 have gas fireplaces. Complimentary boat docks are available upon request. For reservations, call 618-598-6049 or visit www.carlylecottages.com.
West Central Illinois
20100 Hazlet Park Rd.
Carlyle
62231
38.669
-89.324
