Camping

Reservations for campsites, group areas, and picnic shelters can be made through Recreation One Stop by calling toll free at (877) 444-6777 or online at www.recreation.gov.

Swimming

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers offers 4 public swim beaches; McNair Beach, Dam West Beach, Keyesport Beach, and Coles Creek Beach. A $5 day use fee is required to use beach areas. Coles Creek Beach is the only dog-friendly beach in which dogs are required to be on a 6-foot leash at all times. For beach rules, please refer to the 2025 Carlyle Lake Park Information Guide.

Boating

For the boating enthusiast, Carlyle Lake is a great place to cruise for pleasure, water ski, or spend the day fishing. The wide-open waters make Carlyle Lake a sailor's paradise. This 15 by 3 1/2 mile body of water is one of the top inland sailing lakes in the nation.

All major developed recreation areas have boat ramps with courtesy docks. Small boat access ramps can be found in hunting/fishing parking lots scattered around the lake. Call or Check out the websites below for more information on boat rentals or sailing events.

Boulder Marina – (618) 226-3223
Carlyle Sailing Association Marina – (618) 594-3622
Trade Winds Marina – (618) 749-5649
West Access Marina – (618) 594-2461
Carlyle Lake Boats & Marinas

Picnic Shelters

Eight picnic shelters are located around Carlyle Lake to provide you with the perfect setting for the next reunion, picnic, or party. Reservations for picnic shelters can be made through R1S by calling toll free at (877) 444-6777 or online at www.recreation.gov. Shelters are reservable for a fee of $30/day May 1-September 30. If a shelter has not been reserved, it is available on a first come, first serve basis.

Locations: Keyesport, Dam West, West Spillway, East Spillway, Dam East Boat Ramp, Coles Creek, and Boulder

Hiking Trails

At Carlyle Lake there are several hiking trails maintained: Chipmunk Trail located in McNair Recreation Area, Little Prairie Nature Trial located in the Dam West Spillway, and Willow Pond, which is wheelchair accessible, located on the south side of the Visitor Center.

There are also more than 9 miles of trails available to hikers at Eldon Hazlet State Park. The 3-mile Cherokee Trail has three separate loops that pass through a mature oak-hickory forest over gently rolling terrain, offering great views of the lake. The Pawnee Trail is a 1-mile loop trail running along the highest point on Carlyle Lake. Both the Cherokee and Pawnee trails lead to Burnside Cemetery, a restored cemetery with tombstones dating to the 1830s.

The Kaskaskian Trail is a 2 1/2-mile loop trail that begins at the park office and passes by the youth campground, the Pawnee Trail, various day-use areas and the Eagle trail, a 3/4-mile loop near the north end of Illini Campground. A 1/4 -mile accessible interpretive trail is located within the 3-acre prairie restoration directly across from the park office. The 1-mile Illini Trail is located across from the Campground Store and loops around the Illini Fishing Pond. All trails are closed Wednesday through Sunday during pheasant season.

Visitor Center

To help you plan your stay at Carlyle Lake stop by the Carlyle Lake Visitor Center, located in the Dam West Recreation Area. Pick up literature, shop at the gift shop, or view exhibits; including a 215 gallon aquarium with native fish, and a snake exhibit. Then relax and sit back and watch a movie on the construction of the lake and the recreational opportunities available to you during your stay.

Visitor Center Schedule

Hours: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

*Visitor center closed October – March

Geocaching

What is Geocaching?

Geocaching is the world’s largest treasure hunting game and there are several hidden around the Carlyle Lake area. To get started, visit our Geocaching page for rules and locations!