Carlyle Lake

The largest man-made lake in Illinois (26,000 acres), is a premier location for outdoor sports. We known to sailors, it is one of the best and most challenging for sailboats. There is also boating, fishing, hunting, bird watching, sand beaches, and camping areas. Hotels, cabins and golf courses make the area a true outdoor lover's playground.

CITY: Carlyle

Rainbow Ranch Petting Farm

Meet the wide range of animals at this real working farm. Bottle feed kids and lambs. Pet the goats, camels, chicks, rabbits, camels and even two zebras.

CITY: Nashville

Foundation Park

Home to the Balloon Fest, Foundation Park has many walking trails, nature areas, and gathering places.

CITY: Centralia

J-H Bison Ranch

Tours of this family-run bison ranch include baby bison feeding, herd tours, and photos with baby bison, llamas and horses.

CITY: Trenton

Centerfield Park

Spend the day tackling go-karts, miniature golf, batting cages, bumper boats and a video arcade.

CITY: O'Fallon

Fairview Park

With 45-acres of recreation, Fairview Park features a swimming pool, baseball and softball fields, Skateboard Park, several picnic shelters, and a variety of playground equipment.

CITY: Centralia

Scheve Park

This expansive park features picnic areas, baseball and softball fields, playgrounds, tennis courts, horseshoe pits, and sand volleyball courts. The centerpiece of the park is an old train depot, a full-size caboose, and a train car that can be reserved for groups.

CITY: Mascoutah

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

Tamarack Country Club

This 18-hole golf course was designed by Pete Dye.

CITY: Shiloh

Carlyle Dam East Spillway Campground

Swimming, fishing, boating.

CITY: Carlyle

Centralia Carillon

Centralia's resident carilloneur performs on the town's 65-bell carillon, one of the few in the country. The surrounding park also features a museum and tours of the 165-foot-tall tower.

CITY: Centralia

Flying M Ranch Golf Course

This public nine-hole, 32 par course also offers a driving range, rental carts and clubs. Miniature golf, camping and fishing are also available for a fee.

CITY: Centralia

Spring Valley Golf Club

Spring Valley offers a par 18 golf course.

CITY: Okawville

Boulder Recreation Area

Swimming and fishing, boating, tent camping

CITY: Carlyle

Coles Creek Recreation Area

148 sites, electricity, shower, reservations

CITY: Carlyle

Three Springs Park

Three Springs Park is a multi-purpose facility with a lighted softball and baseball field that can be converted in to smaller fields for a total of six. Also at the park are tennis courts, soccer fields, basketball courts, and volleyball courts. a half-mile walking trail and playground equipment round out the amenities.

CITY: Shiloh

Carlyle Dam West Campground

Swimming, fishing, boating, tent camping

CITY: Carlyle

Mascoutah Country Club

This nine-hole golf course was designed by Darryl Stein.

CITY: Mascoutah

Roland Barkau Memorial Golf Course

This 18-hole golf course was designed by Robert Garard and Gary Hoelcher.

CITY: Okawville

South Shore State Park

33 sites, fishing, boating, tent camping.

CITY: Carlyle

Nashville Municipal Golf Course

This nine-hole golf course opened in 1967.

CITY: Nashville

Greenview Golf Club

This public 18-hole, 72 par course offers rental clubs and carts, and a pro on site.

CITY: Centralia

West Access Marina

A year-round facility for large and small boats located at the southwest end of Carlyle Lake. Suited for a complete variety of water sports.

CITY: Carlyle

Eldon Hazlet State Park

The largest campground in the Illinois State Park system. The park covers 3,000 acres on the west shore of Carlyle Lake. Every year more than 3/4 million visitors come here to hunt, fish, picnic, camp, boat, water ski, and hike.

CITY: Carlyle

Coles Creek

148 sites, swimming, fishing, boating, tent camping

CITY: Carlyle

Locust Hills Golf Club

This 18-hole golf course was built in 1933.

CITY: Lebanon

Boulder Marina

The marina offers modern concrete docks, an air-conditioned lounge, private showers, dry dock, and winter storage.

CITY: Shattuc

Bent Oak Golf Course

This par 9 course is located in Breese.

CITY: Breese

Carlyle Lake Golf Club

This nine-hole golf course was designed by John Kueper.

CITY: Carlyle

Twin Oaks Golf Club

Twin Oaks offers a scenic nine-hole golf course.

CITY: Greenville

Washington County State Recreational Area - Nashville, IL

A 248-acre lake fed by two creeks is the focal point of the Washington County State Recreational Area. The area offers several barrier-free facilities, including camping, hunting, picnicking and a fishing pier.

CITY: Nashville

Colonial Golf Course

This public 18-hole, par 70 course is open year round, with rental clubs and carts, plus a snack bar.

CITY: Sandoval

Governors Run Golf and Country Club

This championship 18-hole course has 13 lakes scattered throughout the par 72 layout. It boasts five sets of tees to accommodate all skill levels on exquisitely manicured greens.

CITY: Carlyle

Hideaway Campground

95 sites, electricity, water, sewer, showers, reservations.

CITY: Keyesport

McNair Group Camping

42 sites, lake swimming and fishing, boat rentals, tent camping.

CITY: Carlyle

Keyesport Lodging

Five cabins, cable TV, lake swimming and fishing.

CITY: Keyesport

D&M Hunting Club

Located 2.6 miles south of Rt. 37. With five strategically placed dry, heated, concrete pits overlooking water. Hunt in decoyed spreads in excess of 200 dozen, ducks available. Mandatory professional guides.

CITY: Marine

Tradewinds Marina

Able to accommodate boats up to 45 ft. in covered slips and 40 ft. in open slips, Trade Winds Marina is a great place to moor your boat. The new clubhouse features showers, restrooms, and a lounging area for members.

CITY: Carlyle

Tomahawk Camp Ground

142 sites, electricity, water, sewer, showers.

CITY: Pocahontas

Carlyle Lake Sailing Association

CSA has docking for 380 boats, 3 electric jib cranes, 1,300 ft. of dock and 2 launching ramps. Special events feature annual regattas.

CITY: Carlyle

Racoon Lake

The park is open for boating and fishing year round and hosts a major drag boat racing event each year.

CITY: Centralia