Hamilton County State Fish & Wildlife Area Campground

About

Hamilton County State Fish & Wildlife Area, centered around the 75-acre Dolan Lake, provides a quality camping experience in southern Illinois about 8 miles southeast of McLeansboro. The earthen dam was constructed in 1962, and the lake filled shortly after, creating a destination with 3 miles of shoreline and depths up to 18 feet. The campground offers tent and trailer sites with electric hookups, plus five lakeside cabins equipped with heat, air conditioning, a full-size bed, two bunk beds, table, and chairs. A modern shower house sits across from the cabins, and a sanitary dump station is available for RVs. Campers without reservations can obtain permits from site personnel upon arrival, or book in advance through the ExploreMoreIL reservation system. Beyond camping, the area offers excellent fishing opportunities including largemouth bass, bluegill, sunfish, crappie, channel catfish, and bullheads. A boat ramp is available with motors limited to 10 HP. The 1,530-acre property also features horseback riding and hiking trails, a trap shooting range with manual clay bird thrower, hunting opportunities, and a concession stand operating April through October.

Directions

Located about 8 miles southeast of McLeansboro off Route 14.