Carlyle, Ill. — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District, is pleased to announce an exciting commercial concession opportunity at Carlyle Lake, Illinois’ largest man-made lake. The Corps of Engineers is seeking qualified applicants to develop and operate facilities and services in the Dam East Recreation Area aimed at enhancing visitor experiences while supporting local economic growth.
The selected concessionaire will be authorized to operate within an approximately 3.44-acre lease area at 13551 Dam East Access Road, Carlyle, Ill., 62231. An approximately 40-by-80-foot building is available at the site, along with water, electric, communication and data utility services.
A Notice of Availability (Notice No. DACW43-9-26-028) providing detailed information can be found online at https://www.mvs.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Carlyle-Lake under “Notice of Availability.” This document includes maps, deadlines, submission instructions, facility requirements and other proposal requirements.
A pre-proposal meeting will be held Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, at 10 a.m. at the Carlyle Lake Project Office, located at 801 Lake Road, Carlyle, Ill., 62231.
Sealed proposal submissions are due no later than 1 p.m. CDT on March 12, 2026, and should be sent to:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Real Estate Division
Attn: Jennifer Wilson, chief
1222 Spruce Street
St. Louis, Mo. 63103-2833
Carlyle Lake welcomes more than 2.5 million visitors annually, contributing more than $80 million in visitor spending to the surrounding region. Spanning 26,000 acres of water and surrounded by 11,000 acres of land, the lake offers robust recreational activities including boating, camping, hiking, biking, kayaking, fishing, hunting and sailing.
The site’s natural setting and established infrastructure offer a unique platform for the development of a wide range of recreational and supporting commercial services in a well-established, high-traffic area. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers invites visionary and service-oriented entrepreneurs to be part of Carlyle Lake’s continued success.
For more information, contact the St. Louis District Real Estate Office at (314) 331-8166, the Carlyle Lake Project Office at (618) 594-2484, or email carlyle.lake@usace.army.mil.