Dam West Day Use
Dam West Day Use is an Army Corps of Engineers campground in Illinois. Hookups: electric.
- Type
- Army Corps of Engineers campground
- Location
- Illinois
- Coordinates
- 38.63639, -89.37083
- Hookups
- Electric
- Activities
- Biking, Boating, Day Use Area, Fishing, Hiking, Hunting, Interpretive Programs, Swimming Site, Visitor Center, Water Sports, Wildlife Viewing
- Map
- Open in OpenStreetMap
- Phone
- 618-594-5253
Amenities
- Reservable sites
Only amenities a source confirms are listed; an amenity missing here is unknown, not absent.
About Dam West Day Use
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 an
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
- MotoMart · 17 mi
- Low clearances
- None mapped within 10 mi
Other places to stay nearby
| Name | Type | Distance | Fee | Hookups |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dam West Campground | RV park | 0.7 mi | — | — |
| Carlyle Village Campground | RV park | 0.7 mi | — | — |
| Dam West Campground | Army Corps of Engineers campground | 0.9 mi | — | Full hookups |
| Dam West Spillway | Army Corps of Engineers campground | 2.1 mi | — | Electric |
| Illini Campground | RV park | 2.7 mi | — | — |
| Dam East Spillway (Day Use) | Army Corps of Engineers campground | 2.8 mi | — | Electric |
Open Dam West Day Use 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.