Dam East Picnic Shelter (Shelbyville)

This day use area sits on the southern shore of Lake Shelbyville in the heart of central Illinois. The facility has a variety of amenities and offers outdoor activities for people of all ages, including walking trails, picnicking, fishing, playing outdoor games such as volleyball or horseshoes, and simply relaxing. Located in Dam East is the Lake Shelbyville Visitor Center, which is open to the public and features an exhibit hall and a butterfly garden as well as a breathtaking view of the lake. The area features the General Dacey Trail, a multi-use biking and walking trail which extends through the south end of the lake, spillway, the dam, and into the city park. The shoreline is accessible in some areas for fishing; some of the local fish in the lake are catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, muskie, walleye, white bass, and bluegill. There is an on-site playground for children as well as a volleyball net and horseshoe pit for family games, and several picnic areas perfect for a family cookout or a lunch break. The picnic shelter has 3 picnic tables under the shelter, with 4 concrete tables adjacent. The shelter has a group grill and a fireplace as well as overhead lights and 2 electrical outlets. Flushable restrooms and the playground are located a short distance from the shelter, and a paved parking lot is within walking distance. The Lake Shelbyville Visitor Center adjoins the parking lot. The day use area is shaded by oaks and hickory trees, and much of it overlooks the lake. Numerous species of songbirds, shorebirds, waterfowl and raptors inhabit the lake area, as do mammals such as cottontail rabbit, white-tail deer, gray and fox squirrel, muskrat and mink. In this area, turkeys are frequently seen, and depending on the season, bald eagles can be seen flying over the lake. The Lake Shelbyville Dam is a short driving distance southwest of the day use area. Located just a mile away, the town of Shelbyville offers small town boutiques as well as eateries to explore. Dam West Recreation Area, popular for swimming, boating, and fishing, is a short drive west.