Bike & Hike at Carlyle

Bring your bikes or your hiking shoes when you come to Carlyle!  You will find that biking and hiking opportunities are scenic and challenging. 

Bike Carlyle

The City of Carlyle, the Corps of Engineers, and citizen volunteers are working towards better definition of bike routes for all bikers of skill levels.  In other words, great bike routes exist, but you just to need to know where they are and where to go.

For a written description of the trails and routes below, click here (PDF, 28 KB). 

Carlyle Lake Bike Trail

An unofficial route exists that allows bikers to travel all the way around Carlyle Lake.  It is unmarked, but certainly a challenge at over 60 miles.  The route is not appropriate for small children and un-experienced riders.  Only well-experienced bike riders should attempt this route.  

Click here to download the Carlyle Lake Bike Trail route in the Google Earth Format (KML).

Carlyle Prairie View Trail

Another bike route exists and is, in part, under construction.  It is an 8-mile, out-and-back route (16 miles round trip) which includes the top of the Lake Dam and Saddle Dams 2 and 3. 

Click here to download the Carlyle Prairie View Trail (KML).

City of Carlyle Bike Route

Carlyle offers scenic bike routes through which to ride in town and near the Lake and Kaskaskia River.  You'll ride through Downtown Carlyle and by the unique General Dean Bridge, which is on the National Historic Register. 

Click here to download the City of Carlyle Bike Route (KML).  

Eldon Hazlet State Park Bike Route

Eldon Hazlet State Park offers some bike-able routes within the Park.  Restroom facilities are located throughout the park, and a Camp Store is located there with food and drinks. 

Click here to download the Eldon Hazlet State Park Bike Route (KML).