Closed
This is a day-use area only with no overnight camping. Picnic shelters are open 8 AM to 10 PM daily. Reservations available through Recreation.gov; unreserved shelters are first-come, first-served.
About
Dam West Picnic Shelters is a day-use recreation area managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the southwest shore of Lake Shelbyville in central Illinois. This facility does not offer overnight camping but provides two reservable picnic shelters ideal for group gatherings, family reunions, and events.
The Large Group Picnic Shelter includes 11 picnic tables, 2 group grills, 4 flush restrooms attached to the shelter, overhead lights, 14 electrical outlets, water hookups, water fountains, and a large paved parking lot with sidewalk access to the public beach. The Ramp Point Picnic Shelter offers 7 picnic tables, 1 group grill, flush restrooms, overhead lights, 8 electrical outlets, and paved parking.
The surrounding area features a public swimming beach, boat ramp, fish cleaning station, and the General Dacey Trail, a multi-use biking and walking path that extends through the south end of the lake, spillway, dam, and into Shelbyville city park. The lake supports catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, muskie, walleye, white bass, and bluegill.
Directions
From Shelbyville, Illinois, go half a mile east on State Route 16 to Spillway Recreation Area road. Turn left into Spillway Recreation Area. Follow the road to the end and turn left across the dam. At the stop sign, turn right into Dam West Recreation Area. Take the 2nd right for the Large Group Picnic Shelter or the 3rd right for the Ramp Point Picnic Shelter.
