Dam East Spillway

About

Dam East Spillway Day Use Area sits on the southern shore of Carlyle Lake, Illinois' largest man-made lake at 26,000 acres. Located 50 miles east of St. Louis in Clinton County, this U.S. Army Corps of Engineers facility provides day-use recreation rather than overnight camping. The main feature is a reservable group picnic shelter that can accommodate up to 75 people with 30-amp electric service. Shelter hours run from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. The area includes two boat ramps (one of the best high-water ramps on the lake), a courtesy dock, and a playground. A multi-use biking and walking trail is accessible a short walk away. Carlyle Lake is recognized as one of the nation's top ten inland sailing lakes. The lake and Kaskaskia River offer year-round fishing for bluegill, crappie, channel catfish, flathead catfish, white bass, largemouth bass, freshwater drum, carp, and walleye. Six Watchable Wildlife Sites with viewing towers are located around the lake. For overnight camping, the adjacent Dam East-McNair Campground offers electric sites including sites that are open year-round.

Directions

From I-57, take Old U.S. Route 50 west for 37 miles to the Dam East entrance road and turn north. Turn west at the next intersection and proceed west for 1.2 miles to the Dam East Spillway.