20100
Hazlet Park Rd.
Carlyle, IL 62231
(618)594-3015
Special
Events
Eldon Hazlet is located on
the southwest side of Carlyle Lake, the largest
reservoir in Illinois (26,000 acres). It is
famous for its camping facilities, offering
328 class A and 36 class C campsites, the largest
in the Illinois State Park system. In addition
to enjoying a spectacular view of Carlyle Lake,
the 800,000 or more visitors a year can choose
from a number of family-oriented recreational
activities which include swimming, fishing,
boating, sailing, hiking, bird
watching, camping, and hunting. Viewing wildlife,
especially white-tailed deer, is another popular
activity. The Park also shares a visitor's
center with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
complete with state-of-the-art displays and
a 25 seat audio-visual room for educational
programs.
Leased from the U.S. Corps of Engineers since
the late 1960s, the 3,000 acre site is managed
by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources
(IDNR) for the preservation of its natural
and cultural resources while providing a wide
range of recreational activities. Eldon Hazlet
State Park is part of an overall U.S. Corps
of Engineers/IDNR lake management complex containing
8 other sites and totaling over 62,400 acres
of land and water.
INTERPRETER
INFORMATION
John Bunnell, Site Interpreter
Eldon Hazlet State Park
Eldon Hazlet State Park has an extensive
interpretive program, offering a great
variety of nature programs and recreational
activities. From Memorial Day through
Labor Day, on-site programs such as guided
hikes, nature programs, and recreational
activities are offered every weekend.
Popular activities include family movies
at the park's outside amphitheater, organized
volleyball and basketball tournaments,
guided hikes through the restored prairie
and wetland areas, and tours of the Carlyle
Lake dam and visitors center. Nature programs
featuring live reptiles, birds of prey,
endangered species and other animals are
also scheduled throughout the summer.
With advance scheduling, off-sight environmental
education programs are available for school
and youth groups throughout the year. If a
teacher or group of people would like a program
catered to meet their needs, they can call
the interpreter to discuss a specific topic
or program. For groups wanting to visit the
park, field trips can also be scheduled. A
popular activity for youth groups is camping
overnight at the Osage Youth Group Camping
Area and scheduling hikes and/or interpretive
programs with the site interpreter during the
day. 
Environmental education resources and projects
are also available from the interpreter for
individuals working on school or scout related
projects.
Points of interest at the park include 9 miles
of hiking trails, a three acre restored prairie,
a wetland education area, a cemetery dating
back to the mid-1800's, and a youth fishing
pond.
Special events such as archery clinics, youth
fishing programs, field trials, and star-gazing
parties are planned throughout the year.
All
programs are free of charge to the public.
For more information
contact Eldon Hazlet State Park at 618/594-3015
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