Dam West Day Use
Campground · Illinois · 2 bookable sites ·
Managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers
- 2
- Bookable sites
- up to 75
- People per site
- 454 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Dam West Day Use Area is situated on the southern 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
The 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 are multiple playgrounds on-site as well as a designated swimming beach. A multi-use biking and walking trail is located a short drive away at the dam.
Facilities
The day use area has two reservable picnic shelters that can accommodate up to 75 people each, as well as a boat ramp and fish cleaning stations. The facility has access to a marina and boat storage facility. Camping is available at the adjacent Dam West Campground. Visitors can 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.
Nearby Attractions
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
- 2 bookable sites
- 2 sites for day use only
- Up to 75 people per site
- Loops: Dam West Day Use Shelter 1, Dam West Day Use Shelter 2
Site types
- 2 Group Shelter Electric
Amenities
- Electric hookups
- Picnic tables
- Shade
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: water hookups, sewer hookups, campfires allowed, fire pits, grills.
2 campsites at Dam West Day Use
Check-in 8:00 AM · Check-out 10:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS001 | Dam West Day Use Shelter 1 | Group Shelter Electric | — | — | — | 75 | 🐾 |
| GS002 | Dam West Day Use Shelter 2 | Group Shelter Electric | — | — | — | 75 | 🐾 |
Getting there
From I-70, take State Route 127 south to Carlyle and turn east on William Road/1840 E. William Road will turn into Lake Road/1430 N. Continue on Lake Road south to the day use area, located on the left.
38.63639, -89.37083 · 38°38'11.0"N 89°22'15.0"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, 0.9 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 Dam West Day Use
- Can you reserve a site at Dam West Day Use?
- Yes, Dam West Day Use is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Dam West Day Use have?
- 2 sites.
- Are pets allowed at Dam West Day Use?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Dam West Day Use.
- Does Dam West Day Use have hookups?
- Electric.
Camping near Dam West Day Use
- Dam West Campground 0.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Dam West Spillway 2.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Dam East Spillway (Day Use) 2.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Dam East - McNair Campground 3.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Dam East Rec. Area (Day Use) 3.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Coles Creek Day Use 5.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Coles Creek Campground 6.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Lotus Group Area 6.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Boulder Campground 8.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Keyesport Rec. Area 8.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Boulder Day Use 8.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- North Sandusky Campground 43.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Contact
- Phone 618-594-5253
- 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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