Postcard from Eldon Hazlet State Park

Note: Each week, Joel Brunsvold, director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, sends a postcard profile of a different Illinois state park, natural area or trail. This week, the director is writing about Eldon Hazlet State Park, located in southern Illinois.

[JULY 16, 2005]  CARLYLE -- Dear Campers,

All Illinois state parks are wonderful, and each is unique. Like my children, I love them all, while reveling in their uniqueness. Like my children, each Illinois state park has its own personality. Eldon Hazlet, in Clinton County, is the busy, active one.

More than 800,000 visitors pack the park every year. It's perched on the largest man-made lake in Illinois, 26,000 acres in size. Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area is a 3,000-acre site on the west shore of Carlyle Lake, an impoundment of the Kaskaskia River. The park site is leased by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

You might not think of sailing in the heart of farm country, but this lake is renowned across the United States. The 40-acre sailboat harbor is protected in a deep inlet. It's common to spot 18-foot-long boats slicing through the waters on a stiff Midwestern wind. Weekends find the lake packed with sailboat regattas. A little more than a decade ago, in 1994, Eldon Hazlet State Park and the Carlyle Sailing Association hosted the sailing competition of the U.S. Olympic Festival games.

If you don't sail, it's fascinating to watch those who do. Hike the Pawnee Trail, the highest point on Carlyle Lake, and you find a beautiful view of the lake. Nine miles of trails loop through this park. Along the way are old oak and hickory, foresting the rolling terrain. I can truly say I am proud as director of DNR when I see how beautifully maintained these trails are.

In addition to the wonders of the lake, Eldon Hazlet also has a magnificent swimming pool, perfect for family fun. The public pool has a zero entry, to a depth of 4½ feet. The public pool is staffed with a lifeguard. Just remember, wear sunscreen!

If you come to Eldon Hazlet State Park, bring along your fishing pole. The lake itself sports 30 species of fish, including white bass, channel catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, bluegill and carp. There's also a 4-acre fishing pond with a walkout pier that's popular among children. A fish cleaning station is located at Apache boat ramp.

This park isn't just a popular stop for people. Migratory birds frequent the lake; nearly a quarter of a million birds a year travel through here. You can spot waterfowl and wading birds, such as heron, egrets, shorebirds, songbirds and raptors.

I just have to say, Eldon Hazlet is one of my 300 most favorite parks in Illinois.

Hope to see you here,
Joel Brunsvold

If you go:

The site is located three miles north of Carlyle and two miles east of Illinois Route 127 in Clinton County.

Also in the parks:

• July 21 -- Giant City Junior Naturalists meet
• July 21 -- Illinois Conservation Foundation Sam Romano Fishing Tournament, Lake Michigan
• July 24 -- Night hike, Hennepin Canal, Parkway State Park

[Illinois Department of Natural Resources news release]