Coles Creek Campground
Coles Creek Campground is situated on the eastern shore of Carlyle Lake, a prime getaway for city-dwellers and families. Located 50 miles east of St. Louis and a few miles from the town of Carlyle, the area offers the peaceful retreat of a small town combined with the grandeur of Illinois' largest man-made lake.
More like this: electric hookups in Illinois · full hookups in Illinois · reservable in Illinois · big rigs in Illinois · pets allowed in Illinois
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard with electric | 145 |
| Host/management | 3 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 115 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
145 sites in 5 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | L1 | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | 20/30/50 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 002 | L1 | Back-in | 83 | Paved | Partial | 20/30/50 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 003 | L1 | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Full | 20/30/50 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 004 | L1 | Back-in | 78 | Paved | Partial | 20/30/50 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 005 | L1 | Back-in | 82 | Paved | Partial | 20/30/50 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 006 | L1 | Back-in | 75 | Paved | Partial | 20/30/50 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 007 | L1 | Back-in | 72 | Paved | Partial | 20/30/50 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 008 | L1 | Back-in | 70 | Paved | Partial | 20/30/50 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 010 | L1 | Back-in | 90 | Paved | Partial | 20/30/50 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 011 | L1 | Back-in | 84 | Paved | Partial | 20/30/50 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 5:00 PM, checkout 4:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | Electric, water, sewer |
| Max vehicle length | 115 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Sites 025, 148 are listed accessible |
Coles Creek Campground offers 119 campsites and two group camping areas. Each campsite comes eqipped with electric hookups and provides a picnic area with picnic table and fire pit. All sites are either directly on the shoreline or a short walk to the lake. Modern amenities like showers and flush toilets are provided. The campground is adjacent to the Coles Creek Day Use Area which features a reservable picnic shelter, as well as a designated swimming beach with its own shower facility.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From I-57, take Old U.S. Route 50 west for 19 miles through Salem, Odin and Sandoval. Turn north on Boulder Road and continue for 4 miles, then turn onto 1700 and continue until the road connects with 2400. Continue south to the Coles Creek entrance. Address: 16225 Coles Creek RD, Carlyle, IL 62231
| Nearest town | Carlyle, Illinois |
| Coordinates | 38.6569° N, 89.2603° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
If the no-show service fee is greater than the reservation amount, the customer will not be charged any additional service fees. Cancellations - A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 3.5 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Alpine Shop ↗ | 38.2 mi |
| RV sales & service | RV sales & service ↗ | 39.6 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Coles Creek COE Campground - Carlyle Lake
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- General Dean Suspension BridgeStructure · Carlyle · 6.1 mi
- Centralia Elk's Lodge, TheBuilding · Centralia · 11.2 mi
- Sentinel BuildingBuilding · Centralia · 11.3 mi
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.
Recreation
Coles Creek 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 are multiple playgrounds on-site, as well as a swimming beach and an amphitheater for educational programs. A multi-use biking and walking trail is located a short drive away at the dam.
Nearby
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.
Guidebooks for Illinois
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Coles Creek Campground?
Sites at Coles Creek Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Coles Creek Campground?
Check-in 5:00 PM, checkout 4:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Coles Creek Campground?
Cancellations - A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation).
Source: Charges and cancellations
How many sites does Coles Creek Campground have?
148 sites, including 145 standard sites with power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Coles Creek Campground?
Recreation.gov lists no practical vehicle capacity limit for the largest site here, which usually means pull-through or open parking. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Does Coles Creek Campground have hookups?
Yes, electric, water, and sewer hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Coles Creek Campground?
Modern amenities like showers and flush toilets are provided.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Coles Creek Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Coles Creek Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Coles Creek Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Coles Creek Campground?
Sites 025 and 148 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Coles Creek Campground?
Coles Creek Campground provides fun both on the water and on shore. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Coles Creek Campground?
Carlyle, Illinois. 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.
Source: Getting there