Amenities

lake

Lake

There’s a lot going on at Lake Carroll, IL, but the best moments happen on the water. There’s 636 acres of it, by the way, 55 feet deep at the deepest point and surrounded by 22 miles of shoreline. It’s the largest of the privately held lakes in Illinois and it will provide the scenic backdrop for outstanding lake properties you can own and enjoy for a lifetime.

 
Boating and Skiing

Boating and Watersports

A lake this big is the perfect place for watersports where the thrill comes from speed. You’ll have ample room to jet ski, water ski, go tubing or even just cruise the lake at full throttle with the wind in your hair and the sun on your face.

We have two marinas at opposite ends of the lake, one of which is over three acres in size. Property owners can use their own designated marina slip (or a slip that is available through the association) from April 1 to October 30. At the West marina you will find concessions--with gas, bait, beverages and food items--as well as a beach and a playground, and shower facilities.

There are over a dozen no-wake bays on the lake. They’re perfect for fishing. Our lake beats any other boating in Illinois. And there’s something special about a cruise along the shoreline, gazing at nature’s splendor at your leisure, watching the seasons change, and taking in one of the best sunsets in Illinois from the water.

 
Fish Jumping out of water

Fishing

There are numerous species in the lake, and they include largemouth and smallmouth bass, white bass, yellow perch, bluegill, crappie, walleye, catfish, northern pike and muskie. In short, there’s not only enough fish to go around, but the right ones for every skill level.

 
Fishing Gear

The Fishing Club and Hatchery

This club isn’t sitting around swapping fish stories. They’re an active part of making Lake Carroll an angler’s paradise. Club volunteers operate our fish hatchery, restocking the lake season after season. They build rock reefs to create new places for fish to congregate--before they end up in your boat, that is. And they promote the sport through fishing derbies for kids and couples.

 
Golf Course

Golf Course

Nestled just east of the lakeshore, this semi-private 6,477 yard course was created to be used by players of any skill level, with features to challenge the accomplished player and delight the newcomer. You’ll find it’s beautifully maintained, but more than that, it’s just plain beautiful. From every tee and green, you’ll admire the breathtaking beauty of the region, whether it’s a lake view, a wooded vale or lovely countryside.

Lake Carroll property owners never pay membership fees or greens fees and have access to a fully equipped pro shop with a helpful staff that can fit you with the right items to get that score down. Speaking of lowering your score, our golf pros offer lessons for golfers of any age, either singly or in groups. They have couples lessons, too. Once that swing has been improved, practice it on our driving range to make it perfect.

The Lake Carroll Golf Course staff hosts a number of fun outings throughout the season, and will gladly help make the arrangements for any outing that involves 30 or more golfers. Need a cart? You can rent one from the Lake Carroll Golf Course or the course storage facility is available, and you can drive to the course from your house.

 
Club House

Club House

The clubhouse has long been a major part of the social scene that adds friendliness and fun to Lake Carroll life. It’s not only a great place to meet friends or hold club meetings, you’ll experience many fun events scheduled throughout the year.

The restaurant's (The Candlelight Inn) menu is family friendly, but includes choices for any palate. You might decide the best thing they offer is the Sunday brunch or the Friday fish fries, but there’s never a bad time to get a great meal here.

 
Indoor Pool

Aquatic Center

Outdoor Pool Complex: Open throughout the summer, our 4,770 square foot outdoor Lake Carroll pool has all the things you would normally expect, such as a one-meter diving board and lap lanes. But it’s also a summer wonderland for children of all ages.

They can play in the spray of five water geysers or ride the 50-foot- long corkscrew waterslide. A shallow waterside splash area is the perfect place for toddlers and small children to play.

Indoor Pool: If you want to keep swimming when the weather’s not so hot, our indoor Lake Carroll pool is just what you need. At 1,440 square feet with depth ranging from 3 ½ to 5 feet, it can accommodate swimmers of all ages and skill levels. It also features a swivel-down chair for handicapped access.

 
ATV trails

ATV

The 15 miles of the main trail makes a circuit around the 5,200 acres of the Fawn Ridge Lake Carroll community, combining stunning terrain with thrilling rides on our ATV trails in Illinois. Wildlife, hilltop vistas and secluded woodlands are all waiting for you, and the trail is easily accessed from points throughout the community. You can even hike the trail if you prefer to slow down and take in every detail close up.

Not only do we have the best ATV trails in Illinois, but we also boast excellent Illinois snowmobile trails. Snowmobiles are welcome, giving you a chance to experience a winter wonderland. Our local Trail Club can also help you capture even more fun out of the trails with group rides and charity events throughout the year.

camping

Campgrounds

A roomy 113 acres. There’s ample elbow room for anyone who wants to set up a temporary home in the splendid outdoors. There are 132 sites in the Lake Carroll campground, with size and support amenities differing by section. That means you choose your experience, from roughing it in a tent to camping in style in a full-size RV.

Facilities include a pavilion for gatherings, a playground for the kids, a shower house and dump station. A campground host is onsite to assist campers with their needs as well.

Campers have access to all Lake Carroll campground amenities during their stay, and one of our finest is just a few minutes’ walk from the camp grounds. The recreational complex has tennis courts, the Plum Tree Lodge (with a gym and game rooms) and two pools. The outdoor pool has family-friendly features such as geysers and a 50-foot waterslide while the indoor pool is handicapped accessible and operates year round.

 
Tubing

Tubing and the Lodge

If you love soaring downhill in a tube surrounded by the Lake Carroll winter beauty then our tube hill is a must. Speeding down on the provided tubes and then ascending the hill via the tow is an experience you will want to do over and over! Our snowmaking machinery guarantees that you’ll always have an excellent snowpack to romp on throughout the winter months.

The Plumtree Lodge is a facility used for multi-purposes at Lake Carroll throughout the year. By far the best feature is the spectacular view of the surrounding countryside from the rear deck. The lodge also provides a great room with a massive floor to ceiling stone fireplace and a workout area. During tube hill hours, you’ll be able to stop in and warm up with snacks, hot cocoa and adult beverages.

 
Horses

Equestrian

This home for your horse is secluded in shady woods near our western marina, which means it’s just minutes from any home in Lake Carroll. We understand horseback riding in Illinois is a way of life. Our fenced pastures allow horses to roam, graze and play, and a trail route at the rear of the complex makes for a convenient exit when you’re ready to ride. And even when you’re not up for riding, children adore our resident miniature horses. They’re always ready for a snack of baby carrots. There are also a number of properties that are zoned for equestrian activities. With a paddock right outside your door and room to ride, enjoying horseback riding in Lake Carroll becomes even easier and more satisfying.

We also have an active Lake Carroll Equestrian Club for property owners. These volunteers maintain the facility and sponsor fun events throughout the year.

 
Baby Deer

Nature

One of the joys of living here is that you can experience nature every time you use the many recreational facilities. Nothing at Lake Carroll is isolated from the surrounding beauty. The golf course was designed to incorporate the natural scenery of the region and the club house looks out on wooded groves. The tubing area and aquatic center sit atop a hill that offers a view of farm country and woodlands that is as beautiful as anything in the Midwest. Other amenities such as the camp grounds, the equestrian facility, and the simple experience of hearing nature crunch beneath your feet as you walk trailside along Lake Carroll pathways will get you right in the thick of the outdoor experience.