Dam West Spillway
Campground · Illinois · 1 bookable site ·
Managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers
- 1
- Bookable site
- up to 75
- People per site
- 442 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Dam West Spillway 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
Dam West Spillway provides fun both on the water and on shore. Boat ramps and courtesy docks are located nearby, and the vast lake allows for plenty of water sports. Fishing is a popular pastime, and the lake and Kaskaskia River offer year-round varieties of fish such as bluegill, crappie, channel catfish, flathead catfish, white bass, largemouth bass, freshwater drum, carp and walleye. There is plenty of open space for children to play and a multi-use biking and walking trail is located a short distance away at the dam.
Facilities
Dam West Spillway has one reservable group picnic shelter that can accommodate up to 75 people, as well as an accessible fishing pier and several amenities. It is within walking distance of a marina and boat storage facility and connected to the Dam West Day Use Area and Recreation Area, which offers a campground. The Carlyle Municipal Pool is a short drive away.
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.
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: DAM WEST SPILLWAY
Site types
- 1 Group Shelter Electric
Amenities
- Electric hookups
- Picnic tables
- Grills
- Shade
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: water hookups, sewer hookups, campfires allowed, fire pits.
1 campsite at Dam West Spillway
Check-in 8:00 AM · Check-out 10:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DAM WEST SPILLWAY | Group Shelter Electric | Back In | Paved | — | 75 | 🐾 |
Getting there
38.60833, -89.35833 · 38°36'30.0"N 89°21'30.0"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, 1.2 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 Spillway
- Can you reserve a site at Dam West Spillway?
- Yes, Dam West Spillway is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Dam West Spillway have?
- 1 site.
- Are pets allowed at Dam West Spillway?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Dam West Spillway.
- Does Dam West Spillway have hookups?
- Electric.
Camping near Dam West Spillway
- Dam East Spillway (Day Use) 0.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Dam West Campground 1.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Dam East - McNair Campground 1.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Dam West Day Use 2.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Dam East Rec. Area (Day Use) 2.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Coles Creek Day Use 6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Coles Creek Campground 6.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Lotus Group Area 6.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Boulder Campground 9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Boulder Day Use 9.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Keyesport Rec. Area 9.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- North Sandusky Campground 41.8 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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