Campground

Coles Creek Campground

Carlyle Lake
Near Carlyle, Illinois

Facilities

Coles Creek Campground offers 119 campsites and two group camping areas. Each campsite comes eqipped with electric hookups and provides a picnic area with picnic table and fire pit. All sites are either directly on the shoreline or a short walk to the lake. Modern amenities like showers and flush toilets are provided. The campground is adjacent to the Coles Creek Day Use Area which features a reservable picnic shelter, as well as a designated swimming beach with its own shower facility.

Natural Features

Created in 1967, the 26,000-acre lake is recognized as one of the nation's top ten inland sailing lakes and hosts several annual races and regattas.

Carlyle Lake is home to an array of wildlife that can be seen throughout the year. Its waters and shores are a resting spot for migratory waterfowl and other birds. There are six established Watchable Wildlife Sites with viewing towers open to the public around the lake.

Recreation

Coles Creek Campground provides fun both on the water and on shore. Boat ramps and courtesy docks are provided, and the vast lake allows for plenty of water sports. Fishing is a popular pastime, and the lake offers year-round varieties of fish such as bluegill, crappie, channel catfish, flathead catfish, white bass, largemouth bass, freshwater drum, carp and walleye. There are multiple playgrounds on-site, as well as a swimming beach and an amphitheater for educational programs. A multi-use biking and walking trail is located a short drive away at the dam.

Recreation Sites

  • Standard Electric
  • Management
  • Overnight

Activities

  • Day Use Area
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Swimming
  • Interpretive Programs
  • Boating
  • Hunting
  • Biking
  • Hiking

Amenities

  • Accessible Boat Ramp
  • Accessible Campsites
  • Accessible Picnic Area
  • Accessible Picnic Shelters
  • Accessible Playground
  • Amphitheater
  • Basketball Courts
  • Beach Access
  • Drinking Water
  • Dump Station
  • Educational Programs
  • Flush Toilets
  • Host
  • Lake Access
  • Parking Area
  • Pets Allowed
  • Showers
  • Fire Pit
  • Electricity Hookup
  • Picnic Table
  • BBQ
  • Full Hookup
  • Water Hookup
  • Sewer Hookup
  • Accessibility
  • Accessible Occupant Message

Nearby Attractions

The Carlyle Lake Visitor Center, located in the Dam West Recreation Area, has information available and nature exhibits on display, including a 215-gallon aquarium with native fish.

Getting Here

Latitude
38° 39' 24.9998" N
Longitude
89° 15' 37.0001" W
From I-57, take Old U.S. Route 50 west for 19 miles through Salem, Odin and Sandoval. Turn north on Boulder Road and continue for 4 miles, then turn onto 1700 and continue until the road connects with 2400. Continue south to the Coles Creek entrance. Address: 16225 Coles Creek RD, Carlyle, IL 62231

Need to Know

  • No personal checks or cash are accepted at this time. Credit/Debit card only.

  • Camping No-Show - Camping no-show customers who do not arrive at the campground or group facility by check-out time the day after arrival or does not cancel the reservation by check out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date will be assessed a $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night use fee. If the no-show service fee is greater than the reservation amount, the customer will not be charged any additional service fees.

  • Cancellation Fees - A $10 service fee is withheld from the refund anytime the customer cancels a camping or day use reservation. Depending on when the cancellation is made, it may be considered a late cancellation and additional fees may be forfeited.

    A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee.

  • Check-out time is 4 p.m. / Check-in time is 5 p.m.

  • Firewood brought into this facility must be purchased, or collected locally due to invasive insects.

  • Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.

  • Click here for a virtual tour of Carlyle Lake.

  • All campsites are reservable.

    • Contact Information

    801 LAKE ROAD
    CARLYLE, IL 62231-9703

    For facility specific information, please call (618) 594-2484.

    Additional Information