Lake Shelbyville

The 11,000-acre Lake Shelbyville offers plenty of outdoor activities, including boating, fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, biking and swimming. Sun yourself on one of the public beaches or dock your boat at one of three marinas located around the lake.

CITY: Shelbyville

Lincoln Park

Located across from the Statehouse in Vandalia, the park features a life-size, bronze statue of Abraham Lincoln. This is a favorite spot for photos with the 16th president.

CITY: Vandalia

Family Aquatic Center

This aquatic center has a frog slide, water slide, wet playground area, a sand playground, concessions, a shaded picnic area and a bath house.

CITY: Shelbyville

Anderson Prairie

This 25-acre wildlife park, featuring remnants of the original tallgrass Illinois prairie, features a butterfly house.

CITY: Pana

Vandalia State House

Step inside the Illinois’ oldest surviving State Capitol building. Vandalia was the fourth statehouse in Illinois, and is best known for the era when Abraham Lincoln served in the Illinois House of Representatives. Visitors can enjoy guided tours of this restored landmark.

CITY: Vandalia

Historic National Road Scenic Byway

The National Road is called the "road that built the nation" because it was the first highway in American history. Today the National Road in Illinois covers 164 miles, from Marshall and the Wabash Valley, to East St. Louis and the Mississippi River.

CITY: Greenville

General Dacey Trail

This trail is a multi-use recreational trail -- accessed mainly by walkers, runners, and bikers. As you move along the pathways of the Dacey Trail, you will find nature at its best -- with many scenic views of Lake Shelbyville. The trail is being added to and improved each year and runs through parts of Shelbyville, Forest Park, and the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers Lake Shelbyville. You can begin the trail at Forest Park or at the Dam West Recreational Area (9th St.).

CITY: Shelbyville

Lincoln Prairie Trail

This paved hiking and biking trail follows a historic rail bed for 15 miles across the Illinois prairie.

CITY: Pana

Deer Trail Golf Course

Nine holes of golf located next to Lake Shelbyville at the old "Country Club." Come and enjoy a round of golf and then come and enjoy food and a refreshment while looking over the Lake.

CITY: Shelbyville

Carlyle Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area

As a major stopping point for migrating ducks and geese, this 9,486-acre area offers excellent public waterfowl hunting opportunities.

CITY: Vandalia

Ballard Nature Center

Located just minutes outside of Effingham, Ballard Nature Center is home to dozens of species of birds and wildlife. Natural prairie, wetlands, butterfly and hummingbird gardens, ponds, and creeks round out the outdoor experience. Activities at the Nature Center includes trail walks, kids' fishing, bird watching, picnics, and much more. An indoor activity center provides plenty for the whole family to do any time of year.

CITY: Altamont

Coffeen Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area

22 species of fish are found in this lake, including bass, white crappie, channel catfish, bullhead, yellow bass, bluegill, and carp. This 1,100-acre lake is surrounded by native oak and hickory forests. Picnicking, hiking, and limited hunting and trapping.

CITY: Coffeen

Ramsey Lake State Park

A one-mile walking trail winds through the park, and a 13-mile horse trail is located at the north end alongside a campground for horses.

CITY: Ramsey

Indian Grove Campground

Overnight tent camping, overnight pull through spots and permanent camper sites. Call ahead -- space limited for overnight trailer sites.

CITY: Coffeen

Twin Oaks Golf Club

Twin Oaks offers a scenic nine-hole golf course.

CITY: Greenville

Ramsey Lake Golf Course

This nine-hole golf course opened in 1965.

CITY: Ramsey

Rainmaker Campground

Pump track available, approximately 25 weekend sites and 200 permanent sites.

CITY: Butler

Vandalia Golf & Country Club

Opened in 1916, this nine-hole course features 2,782 yards of golf from the longest tees, for a par of 35.

CITY: Vandalia

Archway Skydiving Center

Averaging over 10,000 skydives annually, more than 1,200 students make their first jump each year with high quality, USPA-rated instructors.

CITY: Vandalia

Glenn Shoals Lake

Covering 1200 acres, has picnic areas, marina and public boat slips.

CITY: Hillsboro

Lake Hillsboro

Located on Lake Hillsboro , many camp sites, hiking and horseback trails, picnicking areas, playground and swimming beach

CITY: Hillsboro

Timber Trails Camp Ground

150 sites, electricity, 100 sites with water, 50 sites with sewer, showers, reservations.

CITY: Mulberry Grove

Bremer Sanctuary

Trails for bird watchers and nature lovers; 200 acres.

CITY: Hillsboro

Oak Terrace Golf Course

Home of the Shotmaker's Mile, Oak Terrace is a championship 18-hole course complete with a driving range, putting and chipping green, and a fully stocked pro shop.

CITY: Pana

Bail's Timberline Lake Camp Ground

140 sites, electricity, water, dump station, showers, reservations.

CITY: St. Elmo

Kampground Okaw Valley

52 sites, electricity, dump station, showers, reservations.

CITY: Brownstown

Hillsboro Sherwood Forest Campground Montgomery County

Camping, Hiking, Fishing along with many special events. Call ahead for information.

CITY: Hillsboro