Boulder Day Use
Campground · Illinois · 1 bookable site ·
Managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers
- 1
- Bookable site
- up to 75
- People per site
- 461 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Boulder Day Use Area is situated on the eastern shore of Carlyle Lake, a prime getaway for city-dwellers and families. Located 50 miles east of St. Louis, the area offers the peaceful retreat of a small town combined with the grandeur of Illinois' largest man-made lake.Recreation
Boulder Day Use Area provides fun both on the water and on shore. A boat ramp and courtesy dock 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 wide open space for children to play. A multi-use biking and walking trail is located a short drive away at the main dam.
Facilities
Boulder Day Use Area provides modern amenities like flush toilets and drinking water, as well as one reservable group picnic shelter that can accommodate up to 75 people. Boaters have the convenience of a marina, boat ramp and fish cleaning station. It is adjacent to the Boulder Recreation Area, which offers reservable campsites.
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 races and regattas. The 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, and there are six established Watchable Wildlife Sites with viewing towers open to the public around the lake.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (618) 594-2484.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.
The facts
- 1 bookable site
- 1 site for day use only
- Up to 75 people per site
- Loops: Boulder Day Use Shelter 1
Site types
- 1 Group Shelter Electric
Amenities
- Electric hookups
- Picnic tables
- Shade
- Pets allowed
- Water hookups — not available
- Campfires allowed — not available
Not recorded upstream: sewer hookups, fire pits, grills.
1 campsite at Boulder Day Use
Check-in 8:00 AM · Check-out 10:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G001 | Boulder Day Use Shelter 1 | Group Shelter Electric | — | — | — | 75 | 🐾 |
Getting there
38.69611, -89.23222 · 38°41'46.0"N 89°13'56.0"W
Typical weather
Typically 88°F in Jul, down to 39°F in Jan.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 39 | 45 | 55 | 67 | 76 | 85 | 88 | 87 | 81 | 70 | 55 | 43 |
| Low °F | 22 | 25 | 35 | 45 | 56 | 65 | 68 | 66 | 58 | 46 | 36 | 26 |
| Precip in | 3.0 | 2.5 | 3.7 | 4.9 | 5.2 | 4.9 | 4.2 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.4 | 3.7 | 3.1 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 8.6 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Boulder Day Use
- Can you reserve a site at Boulder Day Use?
- Yes, Boulder Day Use is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Boulder Day Use have?
- 1 site.
- Are pets allowed at Boulder Day Use?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Boulder Day Use.
- Does Boulder Day Use have hookups?
- Electric.
- Are campfires allowed at Boulder Day Use?
- Campfires are not allowed at Boulder Day Use.
Camping near Boulder Day Use
- Boulder Campground 0.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Lotus Group Area 2.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Coles Creek Campground 3.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Coles Creek Day Use 3.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Keyesport Rec. Area 3.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Dam East Rec. Area (Day Use) 7.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Dam East - McNair Campground 7.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Dam West Campground 8.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Dam West Day Use 8.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Dam West Spillway 9.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Dam East Spillway (Day Use) 9.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- North Sandusky Campground 44.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Contact
- Phone 618-226-3586
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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