Coles Creek Day Use
Campground · Illinois · 1 bookable site ·
Managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers
- 1
- Bookable site
- up to 75
- People per site
- 455 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Coles Creek 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
Coles Creek Day Use Area 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 a designated swimming beach. A multi-use biking and walking trail is located a short drive away at the dam.
Facilities
Coles Creek Day Use Area provides modern amenities such as flush toilets, showers and drinking water. Boaters have the convenience of a boat ramp and fish cleaning station. Families can enjoy the dog-friendly swimming beach and playground. The area also provides one reservable group picnic shelter that can accommodate up to 75 people. It is adjacent to the Coles Creek Recreation Area and Lotus Group Area, which offer 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 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.
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.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (618) 594-2484.The facts
- 1 bookable site
- 2 sites in total, including non-bookable
- 2 sites for day use only
- Up to 75 people per site
- Loops: Coles Creek Day Use Shelter 1, Coles Creek Day Use Shelter 2
Site types
- 1 Group Shelter Electric
- 1 Management
Amenities
- Picnic tables
- Grills
- Shade
- Pets allowed
- Water hookups — not available
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, sewer hookups, campfires allowed, fire pits.
2 campsites at Coles Creek Day Use
Check-in 8:00 AM · Check-out 10:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Water | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G001 | Coles Creek Day Use Shelter 1 | Group Shelter Electric | — | — | Lakefront | — | 75 | |
| G002 | Coles Creek Day Use Shelter 2 | Management | — | — | Lakefront | — | 75 | 🐾 |
Getting there
From I-57, take Old U.S. Highway 50 west for 19 miles, through Salem, Odin and Sandoval. Turn north on Boulder Road/2400E and continue for 4 miles, then turn east on 1700N and continue until the road connects with 2400E. Continue south to the Coles Creek entrance. Address: 16225 Coles Creek RD, Carlyle, IL 62231
38.65806, -89.26639 · 38°39'29.0"N 89°15'59.0"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, 5.7 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 Coles Creek Day Use
- Can you reserve a site at Coles Creek Day Use?
- Yes, Coles Creek Day Use is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Coles Creek Day Use have?
- 2 sites in total, of which 1 can be booked.
- Are pets allowed at Coles Creek Day Use?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Coles Creek Day Use.
- Does Coles Creek Day Use have hookups?
- No hookups are recorded here.
Camping near Coles Creek Day Use
- Coles Creek Campground 0.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Lotus Group Area 0.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Boulder Campground 3.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Boulder Day Use 3.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Dam East Rec. Area (Day Use) 4.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Dam East - McNair Campground 4.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Keyesport Rec. Area 5.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Dam West Campground 5.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Dam West Day Use 5.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Dam West Spillway 6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Dam East Spillway (Day Use) 6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- North Sandusky Campground 42.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Contact
- Phone 618-226-3211
- 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.
Comments