Dam West Campground
Dam West Campground is an Army Corps of Engineers campground in Illinois. Hookups: full hookups.
- Type
- Army Corps of Engineers campground
- Location
- Illinois
- Coordinates
- 38.62778, -89.35833
- Hookups
- Full hookups
- Activities
- Accessible Swimming, Biking, Boating, Camping, Day Use Area, Fishing, Visitor Center
- Map
- Open in OpenStreetMap
- Phone
- 618-594-4410
Amenities
- Reservable sites
Only amenities a source confirms are listed; an amenity missing here is unknown, not absent.
About Dam West Campground
Overview Dam West Campground is a recreation area 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 Campground 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 an amphitheater for educational programs. A multi-use biking and walking trail is located a short drive away at the dam. Facilities Dam West Campground contains 109 reservable campsites. It provides modern amenities and access to a marina and boat storage facility. The adjacent Dam West Spillway and Dam West Day Use Area offer additional recreational opportunities. Visitors can also 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
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 · 17 mi
- Low clearances
- None mapped within 10 mi
Other places to stay nearby
| Name | Type | Distance | Fee | Hookups |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dam West Campground | RV park | 0.2 mi | — | — |
| Carlyle Village Campground | RV park | 0.5 mi | — | — |
| Dam West Day Use | Army Corps of Engineers campground | 0.9 mi | — | Electric |
| Dam West Spillway | Army Corps of Engineers campground | 1.3 mi | — | Electric |
| Dam East Spillway (Day Use) | Army Corps of Engineers campground | 2.0 mi | — | Electric |
| Dam East - McNair Campground | Army Corps of Engineers campground | 2.2 mi | — | Electric & Water |
Open Dam West Campground in DryRig
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Sources. Recreation.gov (RIDB). Updated June 2026. Facility facts only; DryRig does not publish ratings or reviews on this page.