Dam West Campground
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.
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 | 108 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 112 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
108 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 002 | Back-in | 58 | Paved | Full | 20/30/50 amp | 8 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 003 | Back-in | 85 | Paved | Full | 20/30/50 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 004 | Back-in | 58 | Paved | Full | 20/30/50 amp | 8 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 005 | Back-in | 77 | Paved | Full | 20/30/50 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 006 | Back-in | 59 | Paved | Full | 20/30/50 amp | 8 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 007 | Back-in | 100 | Paved | Full | 20/30/50 amp | 8 / 3 | Yes | ||
| 008 | Back-in | 75 | Paved | Full | 20/30/50 amp | 8 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 009 | Back-in | 68 | Paved | Full | 20/30/50 amp | 8 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 010 | Back-in | 61 | Paved | Full | 20/30/50 amp | 8 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 011 | Back-in | 75 | Paved | Full | 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 | 138 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Sites 048, 075 are listed accessible |
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.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From I-70, take State Route 127 south to Carlyle and turn east on William Road. Continue for 1/2-mile and turn north on Lake Road to reach the campground or turn south to reach the day use area.
| Nearest town | Carlyle, Illinois |
| Coordinates | 38.6278° N, 89.3583° 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 ↗ | 0.3 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Alpine Shop ↗ | 32.7 mi |
| RV sales & service | Campers Inn RV of Collinsville, Inc. ↗ | 35.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Spring Camping Paradise Found at Dam West Campground
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- General Dean Suspension BridgeStructure · Carlyle · 1.1 mi
- James C. Twiss HouseBuilding · Aviston · 13.4 mi
- Centralia Elk's Lodge, TheBuilding · Centralia · 14 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
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.
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 Dam West Campground?
Sites at Dam West 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 Dam West Campground?
Check-in 5:00 PM, checkout 4:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Dam West 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 Dam West Campground have?
109 sites, including 108 standard sites with power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Dam West 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 Dam West Campground have hookups?
Yes, electric, water, and sewer hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Dam West Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Dam West Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Dam West Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Dam West Campground?
Sites 048 and 075 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
Is there cell service at Dam West Campground?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 5G, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Dam West Campground?
Dam West 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 Dam West 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