Outdoor Fun in Litchfield
Just off Route 66 lives the City of Litchfield where the classic American road trip mingles with the great outdoors- roadside diners, a drive-in movie theater, and an abundance of natural recreation areas make Litchfield the perfect place to unwind, exercise, and find fun under the sun- or stars!
![](https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/IMG_4436ed.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=820f98548538ce90017c4eeccb94719d 320w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/IMG_4436ed.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=e1304c325384e31a64294a0d971ae69d 540w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/IMG_4436ed.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=8dbb46c3887a352e72d1350d62eab60f 768w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/IMG_4436ed.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=5c790a33cddec049d8676f1bbda23362 1024w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/IMG_4436ed.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=c48e0df46792397c7e25e869266c24d5 1200w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/IMG_4436ed.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=8baff5b6512290812c60013089c59f2a 1440w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/IMG_4436ed.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=045d402b239b7bf5733a8ff62b7b8ef1 1920w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/IMG_4436ed.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=b5f1486662059f5f6a7781628b8eec3b 2560w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/IMG_4436ed.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=e47d47b82fcb700c70e1356c8ca825ac 3840w)
Hit the Road!
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!
Find Your Roots
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.
![](https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/skyview-drive-in-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=27cc07bf33b3a14f4187df5af61c7c06 320w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/skyview-drive-in-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=41832ad555c00a7dcaf19dcd8474619b 540w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/skyview-drive-in-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=7d826a80fb0815edab2e366648bb1bd5 768w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/skyview-drive-in-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=942ec217e5a91f9719044a3b1bbff356 1024w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/skyview-drive-in-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=7946efa364e6906a5d8c6e25e70acb4a 1200w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/skyview-drive-in-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=4de361abc633037c83524d969213ea13 1440w)
A Big Screen in the Sky
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!
![](https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Camping-at-Lake-Lou-Yaeger.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=60ce97ba94d54b7e4d9e0a82e19733ec 320w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Camping-at-Lake-Lou-Yaeger.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=29e883110b0dfa455e5380b032de2e07 540w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Camping-at-Lake-Lou-Yaeger.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=9d3b7d343f9c25ff1fbe2375f1875187 768w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Camping-at-Lake-Lou-Yaeger.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=a2c96207b5c703891ac551fa1bb1c61f 1024w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Camping-at-Lake-Lou-Yaeger.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=588f2cd4d70a420f48bbea2dc4d9e783 1200w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Camping-at-Lake-Lou-Yaeger.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=4f7655f8c7946e23e103ed6d4f24052b 1440w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Camping-at-Lake-Lou-Yaeger.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=4cbc5d671d3a3f7bdb5b0a26c38892f0 1920w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Camping-at-Lake-Lou-Yaeger.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=af9882624caa9e5b2a8984754b69276c 2560w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Camping-at-Lake-Lou-Yaeger.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=f4cf6ad7dab2a6281749f48df50a2ab4 3840w)
Nights Beneath the Stars
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.
![](https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Boating-on-Lake-Lou-Yaeger.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=1b80eca5aeeab45eae374d5447e02fe3 320w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Boating-on-Lake-Lou-Yaeger.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=7f7ac1592b791bf471311c144223613d 540w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Boating-on-Lake-Lou-Yaeger.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=4575cdd966c75f68ee84d256ad15e538 768w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Boating-on-Lake-Lou-Yaeger.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=fab2d9e2abfd4473b35565475b7e95ea 1024w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Boating-on-Lake-Lou-Yaeger.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=6edf398ac84d27010e22238d984352ae 1200w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Boating-on-Lake-Lou-Yaeger.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=5dd5cc0ae5a76ec768473f82339dafd9 1440w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Boating-on-Lake-Lou-Yaeger.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=acaab8bfd25b6bbe8593f440bd485f9c 1920w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Boating-on-Lake-Lou-Yaeger.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=97ff67a36ba324e0cc45ea2e41159066 2560w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Boating-on-Lake-Lou-Yaeger.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=83df134f82173d94b88e08d6997e6e52 3840w)
Fun with the Family
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!
About the Author
Kayla Howland