Managed by US Army Corps of Engineers
About Dam East Rec. Area (day Use)
Dam East Recreation Area is situated on the southern shore of Carlyle Lake, a prime getaway for city-dwellers and families. Located 50 miles east of St. Louis, the area offers the peaceful retreat of a small town combined with the grandeur of Illinois' largest man-made lake.
Seasonal information
2026
(Current year)
2026 Season availability
Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently closed
- Opens on May 1
Location Dam East Rec. Area (day Use)
Address:
801 Lake Road
Carlyle, IL, 62231-9703
United States
From I-57, take Old U.S. Route 50 west for 37 miles to the Dam East entrance road and turn north. Turn east at the next intersection and continue for 1.2 miles to Dam East Day Use Area.
Latitude & Longitude: 38.6083 / -89.3083
Elevation: 149 feet
Policies & Rules
| Category | About |
|---|---|
| General |
Firewood brought into this facility must be purchased, or collected locally due to invasive insects. |
| General |
Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information. |
| General |
Click here for a virtual tour of Carlyle Lake |
