Clinton County’s main attraction and the reason behind its popularity is Carlyle Lake. This lake is the largest man-made lake in Illinois and contains 26,000 acres of water hosting several recreational activities for its visitors. The lake is especially known for the abundant fish population existing within its depths, as well as for all the watersport activities offered to outdoor recreationists.
For those who enjoy land more than the water, Lake Carlyle has something for them too. The area around the lake is an amalgamation of scenic routes and ideal camping spots. Biking trails and hiking trails are another way to behold the beauty of the lake and get those muscles in action. There are numerous recreation areas and parks maintained around Carlyle Lake that allows visitors to enjoy picnics and various sporting events.
Lake Carlyle is known for being amongst the nation’s top ten inland sailing lakes and lures several thousands of vacationers with its annual races and regattas. The area surrounding the lake is also home to various species of wildlife that you can observe carefully or even hunt, depending on the season you are visiting in. Native and migratory birds are also attracted to the shores of Lake Carlyle.
Carlyle Lake is only 12 minutes of drive away from Eldon Hazlet State Park. If you are arriving from there, head west and then turn right to stay on the Hazlet Park Road. Take a slight left for the County Road and continue down the Lake Road. Take a left onto the County Road 1840 E and continue on the Sunrise Hill, then take a left onto Carlyle Dam Road to reach your destination. From here, you can navigate to your choice of recreational area or campground. The roads are wide and easy to maneuver so don't be shy to bring out you large-sized RVs or motorhomes for a comfortable and relaxing stay.
Boulder Campground is located on the shores of the lake under a very shaded area. The campground has 84 campsites where some are directly on the shoreline while others are a bit farther back. Nine campsites are full-hookup while the remaining are electric and water hookups. Each campsite comes with a picnic table whereas flush toilets, drinking water, showers, and fuel/boat storage could be found at the campground.
Maximum RV length at this campground is 100 ft.
Coles Creek campground hosts 119 campsites, all-electric. All these 119 campsites are either located directly on the shores or a few steps away from it. Amenities in this campground include laundry facilities, flush toilets, and showers. Opposite the campground is the Coles Creek Day Use area where you can find reservable picnic sites.
Maximum RV length at this campground is 90 ft.
East Spillway has 15 pull-through campsites. 10 of these campsites have electric hookups while 5 RV campsites are primitive. Few campsites are also ADA accessible. The campground offers boat rental and a boat ramp.
Maximum RV length at this campground is 100 ft.
McNair Group Area has 32 first-come, first-served campsites. The campground has a swimming beach, laundry facilities, and bathhouses. It also provides access to the McNair Multi-use trail.
The enormous Carlyle Lake is an angler’s utopia with its many species of fish. The lake is considered one of the finest channels for catfish. Fishing here is a very popular recreational activity and you can watch anglers all along the trail, on the bridges fishing for bass, white bass, bluegill, crappie, channel catfish, and largemouth bass. Additionally, freshwater drum, carp, flathead catfish and walleye can be found in abundance.
It only makes sense for this mammoth lake to allow boating. In fact, it is known for being one of the best and most challenging channels for sailboats. With its 26,000 acres of water, Carlyle Lake is one of the nation’s best. It also hosts annual races and regattas. Whether you are a fan of sailing, kayaking, canoeing or paddleboarding, the lake has something to offer for all types of boating enthusiasts.
Numerous day-use areas, as well as recreational campgrounds, provide swimming opportunities by offering access to the four beaches at Carlyle Lake that are all family-friendly. These beaches are located at Dam West, McNair, Keyesport, and Coles Creek recreational areas. McNair facilitates swimmers with bathhouses and laundry facilities.
Dam West campground comes with 109 campsites, 65 of which are reservable and 44 of them are non-reservable. Facilities include direct access to marina and boat storage facility. Maximum RV length at this campground is 100 ft.
There are six well-maintained and established Watchable Wildlife Sites with viewing towers that visitors can look out from to spot the diverse variety of wildlife living in the surrounding area of Carlyle Lake. The lake acts as a migration resting area for waterfowl and brings in thousands of migrating bird species to its shores at various times of the year. Keep an eye out for brown binocular logo signs that are posted along the highway to locate the watchtowers.
More than 20,000 acres of land is opened for hunting each spring. The game management area can be found around the lake with parking lots for access. Sub-impoundments 1 through 4 are located at the northern end of the lake and are kept managed for waterfowl. Carlyle Lake also allows facilities for special hunts for people with disabilities.
Visitors can bike at the Carlyle Bike Trail located in the Southwest corner of the park that connects to three different locations on the western side of the Carlyle Dam. The trail starts at the visitor center and goes past the beach area and a marina with large sailboats. It continues right alongside the dam, heading towards the spillway and toward the river walk and the wetlands. Along the way, you’ll also find interpretive signs and plagues referring to the history of the area.
