Agencies
Services
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. With a four-lane boat ramp with a handicapped accessible courtesy dock, two picnic shelters and privy toilets, Allen Branch Day Use Area is one of the most popular boat launching spots on the lake. 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 but it is also a great launch area for kayaks.
Sailing
A combination of wide open water, low surrounding terrain and strong winds provides the 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 U.S. Olympic Festival games sailing competition was hosted by Eldon Hazlet SRA and the Carlyle Sailing Association.
A 40-acre sailboat harbor, protected in a deep inlet, is at the south end of the park and 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, which operates it as a concession for members. Non-members may launch boats for fee.
In addition to boat launching privileges, payment of the fee entitles the non-member to use the harbor’s other facilities - showers, picnic tables, play equipment, day-use docks, and a large shelter with electricity and a barbecue pit. When slots are available, parking privileges in the harbor’s members-only overnight boat parking area may be extended to non-members staying several days at the park and paying the launching fee.
The harbor complex has 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 www.csa-sailing.org
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.
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.
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.
Reservations can be made online at ExploreMoreIL™ for Class A sites 1-65, Handicap Site 93, Rent-A-Cabins, and shelters.
Reservations for regular campsites require a $5 non-refundable reservation fee and payment of the full camping and utility fees at the time the reservation is made.
Campsites may be reserved for a maximum of 14 nights per 30-day period and reservation must be made at least five days before the campsite is needed. Reservations for Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, and Columbus Day weekends require a three-night minimum stay. All other weekends require a two-night minimum stay. Cancellations made five days before arrival will lose the $5 reservation fee, but the remainder of the camping fee will be refunded. Cancellations made less than five days before arrival will be charged the $5 fee and the first nights camping fee; the remainder of the camping fees will be refunded.
The Eldon Hazlet Campground Store, located at the entrance to the Illini Campground, is a 2,000-square-foot store which contains groceries, camping and fishing supplies, clothes, live bait, ice and firewood. A public laundry room and outdoor patio also are available. Please call the store at 618-594-8701 for hours of operation.
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 office.
Hazlet Cottages
Twenty cottages overlooking the lake are available for rent offering spectacular views of the lake and 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, call 618-594-8702 or e-mail HazletCottages@gmail.com or check the website at http://hazletcottages.com/
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 used most often 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 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.
Geocaching
For more information on Geocaching, please review our Geocaching page.
Hiking
More 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 running along the highest point on Carlyle Lake. Both the Cherokee and Pawnee trails lead to Burnside Cemetery, a restored cemetery with tombstones dating 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
Hunting
The park has more than 50 acres designated for archery deer, dove, and upland game hunting. In addition, a controlled pheasant hunting program is held every year, usually from early November to early January. Permits and controlled pheasant hunting information is available. Eldon Hazlet can accommodate 125 hunters per day, Wednesday through Sunday.
The 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 Site Hunting Information. For additional hunting information please review our hunting information sheet. Eldon Hazlet is also equipped with an archery range with an elevated platform which is open all year except during the controlled pheasant season.
See also Dog Training Information
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. A user fee is required to enter the pool facility. For more information please call 618-594-8701.
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, also has benefited local wildlife populations.
Across from the site office, is a 3-acre tallgrass prairie 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. Along with waterfowl, other types of birds commonly seen at the park include wading birds, such as herons and egrets, as well as shorebirds, songbirds and raptors.
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 at ExploreMoreIL™. The largest shelter is 40-by-80-foot located at the Olympic Festival Day Use Area.
