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Dam West Spillway
USACEU.S. Army Corps of Engineers — CARLYLE · Illinois · Carlyle Lake
| Agency | USACEU.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
|---|---|
| Area | Carlyle Lake |
| Location | CARLYLE · Illinois · Carlyle Lake · 38.60833, -89.35833 · Map |
| Sites | 1 public sites counted from the federal listing — 1 group shelter electric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 1 of 1 sites Water hookups at 0 of 1 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 1 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 1 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Not reported in the federal data |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Not reported — the federal listing carries no fee description for this campground. |
| Check-in / out | In 8:00 AM · Out 10:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 1 sites, as reported |
| Accessibility | N |
| Amenities, as reported | Drinking waterFish cleaning stationFlush toiletsPlaygroundRiver access |
| Phone | 618-594-5253 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-02-25.
From the official listing
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.
Directions, from the listing
From I-70, take State Route 127 south to Carlyle and turn east on William Road. Continue for 1/2-mile to Lake Road and turn south, following signs to the park.
Nearest federal campgrounds
1 mi straight-line · CARLYLE IllinoisUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersDam West Campground
1 mi straight-line · CARLYLE IllinoisUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersDam East - McNair Campground
2 mi straight-line · CARLYLE IllinoisUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersDam West Day Use
2 mi straight-line · CARLYLE IllinoisUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersDam East Rec. Area (Day Use)
3 mi straight-line · CARLYLE Illinois
Trip Card — Dam West Spillway
CARLYLE · Illinois · Carlyle Lake
| Agency | USACE · U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
|---|---|
| Location | CARLYLE · Illinois · Carlyle Lake |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | Electric at 1 |
| Max RV | Not reported |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 1 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233484 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.