The Illinois Boating Education Class consists of a minimum eight hours of instruction. These courses cover the basics of boating safety, equipment and requirements, navigation, registration and titling, emergency measures and the Illinois boating laws. Films, manuals and handouts are provided for use in the classroom.

The Illinois Hunter Education Class consists of a minimum of 10 hours of instruction. These courses cover the basics of hunter responsibility, wildlife conservation and identification, firearms and ammunition, field safety, wildlife management, first aid, archery, muzzle loading, and state regulations. The instruction may be supplemented with the use of films, flip charts, and firearm displays

Certification classes for boating and hunting are held throughout the year. Check with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for upcoming classes or contact the Carlyle Lake Project Office (618) 594-2484.

There is no fee for these classes, but pre-registration is required.

Celebrate the Earth

is a day for area school groups to learn about the environment by attending educational programming in the form of hands-on, games, exhibits, and lectures. Professionals in their field present programs such as: Birds of Prey, Nocturnal Animals, Forestry, Reptiles, Environmental Arts, and much more. Over 3,500 school children attend this educational event every year. If you are a teacher who is interested in bringing your class out for this event contact the Carlyle Lake Project Office at (618) 594-2484.

Campground Programs are presented in the Dam West, Coles Creek and Boulder Campgrounds Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend.

 

 

Tour of the Dam

Join Park Rangers on a tour of the Carlyle Lake Main Dam. Discover what makes the dam so important, what it takes to maintain it, as well as the history behind it's creation. On this one-of-a-kind tour, visitors have access to the control house and the 'catwalk' that is typically not open to the public.

Sunday, 10:00 a.m. On top of the dam