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St. Louis District Recreation

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is the largest provider of water-based outdoor recreation in the nation. The St. Louis District also operates and maintains five lakes and their associated recreational areas. These lakes, which serve a variety of purposes ranging from flood protection and recreation to potable water supply and hydroelectricity, average over 10 million visitors a year.Visitors of all ages can enjoy traditional activities like hiking, biking, fishing, camping and hunting, and for those slightly more adventurous there is windsurfing, disc golf, mountain biking and geo-caching. Regardless of your favorite activity one thing is certain, recreation enriches people's lives. A visit to an Army Corps of Engineers' recreation area can strengthen family ties and friendships; create unforgettable memories and connect people to nature that will last a lifetime.

Federal Recreation Passes


Golden Age and Golden Access Passports

The Golden Age and Golden Access Passports have been replaced by the America the Beautiful – the National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Passes. The requirements to obtain the new Senior and Access passes remain the same (Senior: U.S. citizen 62 years old or older - Access: U.S. citizen legally blind or permanently disabled).


The existing Golden Age and Golden Access Passports are still valid and do not need to be replaced.


An America the Beautiful (AtB) pass is your ticket to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites. Each pass covers entrance fees at national parks and national wildlife refuges as well as standard amenity fees (day use fees) at national forests and grasslands, and at lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  The Senior passes and the Access pass can also be used at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers locations to receive a 50% discount on camping fees for the pass holder.

Please remember when making your purchase that Interagency Passes are non-refundable, non-transferable, cannot be extended and cannot be replaced if lost or stolen.

For more information visit: Recreation Passes

Latest News Releases

Rend Lake Dam West Boat Ramp Closed for Special Event May 1 & 2, 2025
4/28/2025
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Rend Lake Project will temporarily close public access to Dam West Boat Ramp and Recreation Area from sunrise to 3:00 pm on Thursday, May 1 and Friday, May 2. This...
Temporary Closure of Dam West Boat Ramp and Lake Road for Celebrate the Earth
4/14/2025
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Carlyle Lake Project will host the 29th Annual Celebrate the Earth event on Friday, April 25, 2025. To ensure the safety of all participants, the Dam West Boat Ramp,...
Carlyle Lake Increasing Downstream Releases and Pool Elevation Update
4/10/2025
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Carlyle Lake will begin increasing water releases from the main dam on Friday, April 11, 2025. Releases will strategically be raised from 5,000 cubic feet of water...
Carlyle Lake Increasing Downstream Releases and Pool Elevation Update
4/4/2025
In response to current weather conditions and rising water levels, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Carlyle Lake will begin increasing water releases from the main dam on Friday, April 4, 2025...
ANNUAL TURKEY HUNT FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
3/7/2025
March 7, 2025 – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Paris Lions Club have scheduled the Annual Turkey Hunt for disabled persons, which will be held at Mark Twain Lake. The hunt will take place...
Temporary Recreation Area Closings To Conduct Dredging Activities at Lake Shelbyville
2/24/2025
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville will be performing dredging work on the North end of the lake in 2025. Work will include dredging of the Kaskaskia river channel, starting at the...

Recreation Around the District

Lost on the Lake

This is a powerful seven minute testimonial video that can save your life or the life of someone you love. It is targeted for a mature audience. Produced by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Operations Center for Water Safety in cooperation with the Brian and Nathan Keese Family.

Reservations

Water Safety

Volunteer