Illinois / Clinton County

Dam East Spillway

Closed — Open year-round for camping and day use. Shelter hours are 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily.

About

Dam East Spillway Day Use Area is situated on the southern shore of Carlyle Lake, offering convenient access to Illinois' largest man-made lake. Located 50 miles east of St. Louis, this facility provides both day use amenities and year-round camping options. The area features one reservable group picnic shelter that can accommodate up to 75 people, along with 15 individual campsites available throughout the year. Boating infrastructure includes a courtesy dock and two boat ramps, with one rated as among the best high-water boat ramps on the lake. The facility connects to the Dam East Recreation Area and provides access to a nearby beach at the McNair Group Area. Created in 1967, the 26,000-acre 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. An on-site playground and multi-use biking and walking trail located nearby make this a family-friendly destination. Carlyle Lake serves as a resting spot for migratory waterfowl, and six Watchable Wildlife Sites with viewing towers are available around the lake.

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 1.2 miles to Dam East Spillway.

Nearby Campgrounds