Coles Creek Day Use
Coles Creek Day Use is an Army Corps of Engineers campground in Illinois. Hookups: no hookups.
- Type
- Army Corps of Engineers campground
- Location
- Illinois
- Coordinates
- 38.65806, -89.26639
- Hookups
- No hookups
- Activities
- Biking, Boating, Camping, Fishing, Hunting, Swimming Site, Water Sports, Wildlife Viewing
- Map
- Open in OpenStreetMap
- Phone
- 618-226-3211
Amenities
- Reservable sites
Only amenities a source confirms are listed; an amenity missing here is unknown, not absent.
About Coles Creek Day Use
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 L
Cell coverage
No coverage data for this location yet.
Nearby RV services
- Dump station
- None mapped within 50 mi
- Water fill
- None mapped within 50 mi
- Propane
- Centralia Propane · 15 mi
- Low clearances
- None mapped within 10 mi
Other places to stay nearby
| Name | Type | Distance | Fee | Hookups |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coles Creek Campground | Army Corps of Engineers campground | 0.3 mi | — | Full hookups |
| Lotus Group Area | Army Corps of Engineers campground | 0.6 mi | — | Full hookups |
| Boulder Campground | Army Corps of Engineers campground | 3.1 mi | — | Full hookups |
| Boulder Day Use | Army Corps of Engineers campground | 3.2 mi | — | Electric |
| Illini Campground | RV park | 3.3 mi | — | — |
| Dam East Rec. Area (Day Use) | Army Corps of Engineers campground | 4.1 mi | — | Electric |
Open Coles Creek Day Use in DryRig
Save it offline, check your rig's clearance on the drive in, and see what's nearby on the map.
Sources. Recreation.gov (RIDB). Updated June 2026. Facility facts only; DryRig does not publish ratings or reviews on this page.