Eldon Hazlet State Park

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, bird watch and to 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 hook-ups, 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 www.reserveamerica.com.
Hazlet Cottages – 20 cottages overlooking the lake – are available for rent offering spectacular views of the lake. Each cottage has a kitchenette, bar, living area, bedroom, loft and deck, with amenities including cable TV, linens and cookware. For reservations, call 618-594-8702 or visit the Hazlet Cottages website.
Also at Carlyle Lake is South Shore State Park located on the lake’s southeast side, approximately 3 miles east of Carlyle on Route 50. The park provides recreational opportunities including a day-use areas for picnicking, a 3/4​-mile hiking trail, as well as wildlife watching and outstanding bank fishing opportunities.​​​​​​​​​​

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.

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.