Carlyle Lake Hiking
category : Trails
More than 9 miles of trails are available to hikers at Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area. 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.
At Carlyle Lake there are several hiking trails maintained by the Corps of Engineers: Chipmunk Trail located in McNair Recreation Area, Little Prairie Nature Trial located in the Dam West Spillway, and Willow Pond, which is barrier free, located on the south side of the Visitor Center. A bike route map is available at the Carlyle Lake Project Office or at the Visitor Center.
Address: 3 m N of Carlyle and 2 m E of Illinois Route 127
Phone: 618-594-3015
Our Email: dnr.eldonhazlet@illinois.gov
Our Website:dnr.state.il.us/lands/Landmgt/PARKS/R4/ELDON.HTM
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