Lake Lou Yaeger, the blue jewel of Litchfield, offers a myriad of activities for adventurous visitors.

Over 1,200 acres of water make Lou Yaeger an optimal place to go boating, fishing, or swimming, and the land surrounding the lake has been carefully developed to preserve local habitats while offering guests fantastic outdoor exploration.

Find day rentals at Marina 1 boat shop along the shore and be sure to check out Milnot Beach - sand, sun, inflatables, a snack bar, and more make for a great day out on the water! Walton Park is also a great place to fish, kayak, and canoe close to town!

For those who seek to commune with nature, Shoal Creek Conservation Area, located on the southeast side of Lake Lou Yaeger, is just the place you need to relax and enjoy the outdoors.

Shoal Creek’s 266 acres of high-diversity till-plain hickory forests provide multiple hiking trails from beginner to moderate, chances to see native wildlife, diverse birdwatching, and photography opportunities!

The Route 66 Prairie, a restored grassland habitat next door to Litchfield, is also a great place to birdwatch and a wild monarch butterfly habitat- find the dainty little creatures May through October in Illinois.

Chances are, you’ve never seen a drive-in film before- the outdoor cinemas used to dot the American landscape alongside Route 66, but now the starry theaters are rare gems- there are only four original drive-in cinemas left from the Mother Road’s heyday- and the Skyview Drive-In is one of them!

Bring your vehicle, folding chairs, or picnic blankets for an evening of both new and old movies under the open sky!

Want to fall asleep in the fresh air after a busy day exploring?

Litchfield has multiple campgrounds to choose from: rough it at the Primitive Campground, glamp in style at the Bicentennial RV Camp or Kamper Kompanion, bring your horse to the Blake Lowry Equestrian Campground, or stay in one of the Lake Lou Yaeger Cabins!

Country Bend and Lazy Days campgrounds are also nearby offering camping options.

Looking for something to do for just a few hours?

Take a swim at the Litchfield Memorial Pool in the warmer months or break out the skateboards at the Litchfield Skate Park!

Take a ride on the Route 66 Hike and Bike Trail through the scenic countryside, play nine holes of golf at the Litchfield Country Club, or go antiquing on Litchfield Picker’s Market days- shop for vintage and local crafts accompanied by live music!

There’s even more to do in Litchfield! Check out the events page at riversandroutes.com for more information and places to visit in southwest Illinois!