Campground

Dam West Campground

Carlyle Lake
Near Carlyle, Illinois

Facilities

Dam West Campground contains 109 reservable campsites. It provides modern amenities and access to a marina and boat storage facility. The adjacent Dam West Spillway and Dam West Day Use Area offer additional recreational opportunities. Visitors can also walk or bike across the dam to the Dam East facilities and McNair Group Area.

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

Dam West 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 is an on-site playground and plenty of open space for children to play, as well as 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
  • Fishing
  • Camping
  • Boating
  • Biking
  • Accessible Swimming
  • Visitor Center

Amenities

  • Accessible Flush Toilets
  • Accessible Sites
  • Amphitheater
  • Drinking Water
  • Dump Station
  • Flush Toilets
  • Parking Area
  • BBQ
  • Picnic Table
  • Electricity Hookup
  • Fire Pit
  • Accessible Occupant Message
  • Sewer Hookup
  • Accessibility
  • Full Hookup
  • Water Hookup

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° 37' 40.0001" N
Longitude
89° 21' 29.9999" W
From I-70, take State Route 127 south to Carlyle and turn east on William Road. Continue for 1/2-mile and turn north on Lake Road to reach the campground or turn south to reach the day use area.

Need to Know

  • All campsites are reservable.

  • 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.

    • Contact Information

    801 LAKE ROAD
    CARLYLE, IL 62231-9703

    For campground inquiries, please call: 618-594-4410

    Additional Information