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

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site

Illinois' only United Nations World Heritage Site. This 2,200-acre site preserves the central section of the largest prehistoric Indian city north of Mexico. An Interpretive Center presents a coherent account of this sophisticated prehistoric culture. Climb Monk's Mound, see the film and life-size village. Don't miss annual events that focus on Native American culture.

CITY: Collinsville

World's Largest Catsup Bottle

This 170-foot-tall bottle that resembles a Brook's Catsup Bottle served as a water tower for the catsup manufacturer after being constructed in 1949. A popular roadside attraction, it makes for a great photo op.

CITY: Collinsville

Laser Force Lazer Tag Zone

A 5,000 sq. ft. laser tag arena and a 2,500 sq. ft. game arcade is conveniently located by hotels and restaurants off I-64.

CITY: Caseyville

National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows

The Shrine has 200 beautifully landscaped acres of gardens and devotional areas, including the Outdoor Amphitheatre, Shrine Church, Lourdes Grotto, Stations of the Cross, Millennium Spire, the Visitors Center with a restaurant and gift shop, and the Shrine Hotel.

CITY: Belleville

Gateway Fun Park

Gateway features mini-golf, go-karts, an arcade, bumper boats, a kiddie track and Rudy's Restaurant.

CITY: Collinsville

Splash City Family Waterpark

Surfing in Illinois? Yes! The FlowRider creates a perfect wave for surfing and body boarding. Water slides, a lap pool, the lazy river, a sandy play area and "Monsoon Mountain" make for a family adventure.

CITY: Collinsville

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

Belle-Clair Fairgrounds & Exposition Center

Home to the annual St. Clair County Fair, several craft shows and monthly flea markets, the complex also includes the Belle-Clair Speedway, with stock car races and demolition derbies.

CITY: Belleville

Pleasant Ridge Park

Tucked back away from the street, a relaxing place to get away from it all is Pleasant Ridge Park. The centerpiece is the Kensella Log Home.

CITY: Fairview Heights

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

Melvin Price Memorial Park

The 24-acre park has a pavilion, walking trails, and many other amenities. It is also the site of the Veterans of All Wars Memorial and the September 11 Memorial.

CITY: Swansea

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

Family Fun Tyme

Located in Maryville, this facility has an indoor arcade, batting cages and lots more fun for kids. Alfonzo's Restaurant is right next door for pizza lovers.

CITY: Maryville

Woodland Park

50-acre wooded city park located in the heart of Collinsville. Amenities consist of picnic shelters, playgrounds, fishing lake, and softball diamond.

CITY: Collinsville

Schnucks Park

One of the newest parks with over 9 acres of natural habitat. Sporting a new playground, small fishing pond and a wooden gazebo on its shore.

CITY: Collinsville

Julius J. Knobeloch State Nature Preserve

Beautiful. untouched nature preserve which way originally purchased by the Knobeloch family in 1874. After a family disagreement, the land was auctioned off to the nature conservancy and then sold to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

CITY: Freeburg

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

Moody Park (formerly Longacre Park)

Lighted tennis courts, playground, sand volleyball courts, baseball, softball, and soccer fields. a 1.5 mi walking/running path, concession stands, picnic pavilions, a large lake. The Midwest Salute to the Arts is held every year here in August.

CITY: Fairview Heights

The Orchards

The Orchards offers an 18-hole golf course.

CITY: Belleville

Yorktown Golf Course

Designed by golf legends Pete Dye and Bob Goalby, Yorktown offers an 18-hole lit par 3 golf course.

CITY: Belleville

Stonewolf Golf Course

The 18-hole, par 72 Stonewolf is one of only four Jack Nicklaus Signature courses in Illinois and Missouri.

CITY: Fairview Heights

Freedom Farm

40 sites, lake swimming and fishing, tent camping, handicap access.

CITY: Freeburg

Spring Valley Golf Club

Spring Valley offers a par 18 golf course.

CITY: Okawville

U.S. Ice Sports Complex L.C.

An ice arena offering hockey leagues open skate and entertainment for all ages. The facility offers two rinks, a game room and concession area.

CITY: Fairview Heights

Boulder Recreation Area

Swimming and fishing, boating, tent camping

CITY: Carlyle

Coles Creek Recreation Area

148 sites, electricity, shower, reservations

CITY: Carlyle

Glidden Park

Home to newly added in-line hockey rink. Sitting on 30 acres, five tennis courts, soccer field and basketball court, walking track 4 to 10 mile.

CITY: Collinsville

American Legion Post 58 Freedom Farm

40 sites, recreation building, lake swimming and fishing, boating, tent camping, handicap access.

CITY: Freeburg

White Oak Golf Course

This nine-hole golf course opened in 1954.

CITY: Marissa

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

Kaskaskia River Marina Campground

100 sites, recreation building, cable TV, swimming, fishing, tent camping, handicap access.

CITY: New Athens

Carlyle Dam West Campground

Swimming, fishing, boating, tent camping

CITY: Carlyle

Stonebridge Golf Club

Stonebridge offers 18 holes of first-class golf.

CITY: Maryville

Drost Park

Drost Park features a 7-acre lake, pavilions, 1-mile walking trail, boat ramp, playground, and restroom facilities. The University of Illinois' Master Gardeners keep it seasonally beautiful.

CITY: Maryville

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

Clinton Hill Golf Club

Boasting some of the largest greens in the Midwest, the 18-hole Clinton Hill has matured into one of the finest public golf courses around, with a great blend of par 3s, 4s and 5s.

CITY: Swansea

Riding Center

Stop in or make a reservation to ride the trails. Lessons are also available.

CITY: Freeburg

Kaskaskia River Marina

The marina on the Kaskaskia River is the site of drag boat races in September. Next to the marina, enjoy batting cages, ball fields, and roller hockey in the park.

CITY: New Athens

South Shore State Park

33 sites, fishing, boating, tent camping.

CITY: Carlyle

Marissa Recreation Area

Two lakes, a nine-hole golf course, a camping area, a cottage/residence area, as well as picnic shelters, are features of this great park.

CITY: Marissa

Nashville Municipal Golf Course

This nine-hole golf course opened in 1967.

CITY: Nashville

Bur Oaks Camp Ground

Open all year, swimming and fishing, handicap access.

CITY: Alhambra

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

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

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

Far Oaks Golf Club

This par 72, Goalby-designed golf course has 18 challenging holes.

CITY: Caseyville

Locust Hills Golf Club

This 18-hole golf course was built in 1933.

CITY: Lebanon

Carlyle Lake Golf Club

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

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

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

Jaycee Ball Field

This softball field is located in Woodland Park.

CITY: Collinsville

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

Tomahawk Camp Ground

142 sites, electricity, water, sewer, showers.

CITY: Pocahontas

Tri-Township Park

Just miles off I-55, I-70, and I-270, the park has easy access and has many features for travelers, like a petting zoo, playground equipment, picnic pavilions and a small lake.

CITY: Troy

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