Lotus Group Area
The Lotus Group Area is on the eastern 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 · pets allowed in Illinois · group sites in Illinois
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| group standard electric | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Surface | Shade | Power | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Paved | Partial | 20/30/50 amp | Yes / Yes | 80 / 25 | Yes | 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 | 35 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Site 001 is listed accessible |
Lotus Group Area offers a secluded group campground in Coles Creek Recreation Area. The facility consists of 10 full-service campsites, a playground, and a comfort station. The site can hold a single group of up to 80 people at a time. The Coles Creek Beach and Day Use Area are a short walk away.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From I-57, take Old U.S. Highway 50 west for 19 miles, through Salem, Odin and Sandoval. Turn north on Boulder Road/2400E. After 4 miles turn east on 1700N and continue until the road connects with 2400E. Continue south and turn right just before reaching the Coles Creek entrance road. Proceed north to Lotus Group Area.
| Nearest town | Carlyle, Illinois |
| Coordinates | 38.6635° N, 89.2582° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 3.6 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Alpine Shop ↗ | 38.4 mi |
| RV sales & service | RV sales & service ↗ | 39.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- General Dean Suspension BridgeStructure · Carlyle · 6.5 mi
- Centralia Elk's Lodge, TheBuilding · Centralia · 11.5 mi
- Sentinel BuildingBuilding · Centralia · 11.6 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
The area provides fun both on the water and on shore. The vast lake allows for plenty of water sports with boat ramps, courtesy docks and a swimming beach being located nearby. 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. A multi-use biking and walking trail is located a short drive away at the dam.
Nearby
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 Lotus Group Area?
Sites at Lotus Group Area are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Lotus Group Area?
Check-in 5:00 PM, checkout 4:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Lotus Group Area have?
1 site, including 1 group standard electric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Lotus Group Area?
The longest site here provides 35 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Does Lotus Group Area have hookups?
Yes, electric, water, and sewer hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Lotus Group Area?
Yes, pets are allowed at Lotus Group Area. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Lotus Group Area?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Lotus Group Area?
Site 001 is 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 Lotus Group Area?
FCC coverage maps show AT&T 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Lotus Group Area?
The area 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 Lotus Group Area?
Carlyle, Illinois. 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
What if Lotus Group Area is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Coles Creek Campground (0.5 mi), Boulder Campground (2.5 mi), and Dam East - Mcnair Campground (5.2 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby