Dam West Overlook Picnic Shelter

This day use area sits on the southwest shore of Lake Shelbyville in the heart of central Illinois. The facility offers amenities such as walking and fitness trails, shoreline fishing, and a scenic overlook of the lake and dam. 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. In this area, the trail also has fitness areas with outdoor fitness equipment. 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. The picnic shelter has 6 picnic tables under the shelter, a group grill, a water spigot, and electricity. Flushable restrooms are available up the stairs from the picnic shelter, and the paved parking lot is next to the restrooms. The day use area has a perfect, wide-open overlook of the lake and dam. 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. The Lake Shelbyville Dam is located right next to the day use area. Down the road to the west, the town of Shelbyville offers small town boutiques as well as eateries to explore, and Dam West Recreation Area, a popular location for swimming, boating, and fishing, is just up the road north.