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

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

Nu-Bowl Lanes

28-lane bowling facility with snack bar.

CITY: Mount Vernon

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

Hawkins-Schwartz Orchards

This orchard features fresh-picked apples, peaches, a pumpkin patch, cider and special events for children during apple season.

CITY: Dix

Spring Valley Golf Club

Spring Valley offers a par 18 golf course.

CITY: Okawville

Indian Hills Golf Course

This public 18-hole course offers challenges for both beginning and advanced golfers. A lighted driving range allows extended practice hours, and free group golf lessons are available every Saturday.

CITY: Mount Vernon

Boulder Recreation Area

Swimming and fishing, boating, tent camping

CITY: Carlyle

Coles Creek Recreation Area

148 sites, electricity, shower, reservations

CITY: Carlyle

Salem Country Club

This 18-hole course has lots of character, and is open to the public from 9am-12pm Monday through Friday. Golf carts are available.

CITY: Salem

Carlyle Dam West Campground

Swimming, fishing, boating, tent camping

CITY: Carlyle

Roland Barkau Memorial Golf Course

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

CITY: Okawville

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

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

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

Green Hills Golf Club

This 18-hole, semi-private country club features lush Bermuda fairways and bent grass greens with four sets of tees (the longest over 6,500 yards). Green Hills also offers a large driving range, plus practice and chipping greens, a pro shop, lounge and restaurant.

CITY: Mount Vernon

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

Mt. Vernon Veterans Park

86 acres of shaded playgrounds, tennis courts, swimming pool, in-line skating area and walking path around the lake. Fishing is allowed with proper license.

CITY: Mount Vernon

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

Carlyle Lake Golf Club

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

CITY: Carlyle

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

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

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

Stephen A. Forbes State Park

Located among the rolling hills of Southwestern Illinois, this park has a beach and offers boating, camping, fishing, hiking, swimming, and other activities.

CITY: Kinmundy

Keyesport Lodging

Five cabins, cable TV, lake swimming and fishing.

CITY: Keyesport

Quality Times R.V. Park

Shady drive-thru spaces for RVs, with water, sewer, electric hookups, tent sites, picnic tables. Close to the visitors complex.

CITY: Mount Vernon

Marion County Fairgrounds

20 sites, big rigs welcome.

CITY: Salem

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

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