About Dam West Campground
Number of accommodations: 109
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
RV Utilities and Hookups
- Dump station on site
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
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Rates, Sites & Availability
109 Sites Available
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Site Details
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109 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews (616)
What Guests Are Saying
Dam West Campground offers a wonderful camping experience with friendly and knowledgeable staff, clean facilities, and beautiful surroundings. Guests appreciate the well-maintained restrooms, hot showers, and the variety of recreational activities available nearby. While some reviewers noted minor issues like low water pressure and windy sites, the overall sentiment reflects a strong desire to return and recommend the campground.
What Guests Are Saying
Dam West Campground offers a wonderful camping experience with friendly and knowledgeable staff, clean facilities, and beautiful surroundings. Guests appreciate the well-maintained restrooms, hot showers, and the variety of recreational activities available nearby. While some reviewers noted minor issues like low water pressure and windy sites, the overall sentiment reflects a strong desire to return and recommend the campground.
Review Summary
Maria B
VerifiedSeptember 12, 2023 • Stayed at: 069, Loop: DAM WEST
We love camping at Dam West!
Demnis H
VerifiedSeptember 8, 2023 • Stayed at: 068, Loop: DAM WEST
It was so beautiful here.
Cindy B
VerifiedSeptember 7, 2023 • Stayed at: 016, Loop: DAM WEST
Very nice campground! Close to everything. Nice biking or walking trails.
tammy d
VerifiedSeptember 5, 2023 • Stayed at: 034, Loop: DAM WEST
I reserved a site online. We arrived after 5:00 p.m. The little office was closed. The next day we were boating and hanging out at the beach.
Apparently, we were supposed to stop by the little office and check in. I was not aware of the rule. When we were leaving, we stopped at the dump station. The lady came out and asked what site we were on. She was so very rude! she told us we should have checked in at some point. I told her we usually camp at Eldon Hazlett, you do not have to check in there. She told me I was wrong, although I knew I was right. When you reserve and pay for your site online that should be your check in. They drive around on their little golf carts and know if your there or not. I just cannot believe how RUDE and disrespectful she was to us. Because of her we will not camp at Dam West again.
Be aware if you're going to camp there...check in as soon as you can or you will be talked to like a piece of garbage!!!
William E
VerifiedSeptember 4, 2023 • Stayed at: 036, Loop: DAM WEST
This was our first time camping at Carlyle lake. We were very impressed with the Dam West campground. It has flat campsites and well maintained facilities. The visitor center and public beach are close drive or walk from the campground and are definitely worth visiting.
Chandra T
VerifiedAugust 21, 2023 • Stayed at: 044, Loop: DAM WEST
Beautiful place spot #44 spots we’re very narrow for my small trailer
Reynold D
VerifiedAugust 16, 2023 • Stayed at: 092, Loop: DAM WEST
Dam West at Carlyle lake is the best campground I have ever stayed at. Always clean and kept mowed regularly. The best part is the very helpful and friendly camp host.
Linda L
VerifiedAugust 15, 2023 • Stayed at: 113, Loop: DAM WEST
We stayed in 113. This site was flat, roomy and quiet. It's the best place we have stayed on our extended summer trip. We went into St. Louis several days, and it was pretty easy to access. The bathrooms were good and the visitor center helpful.
Dawn D
VerifiedAugust 15, 2023 • Stayed at: 080, Loop: DAM WEST
Dam West was a great camping experience! The staff at check-in were friendly! Beautiful campground! We'll be back to visit!
William C
VerifiedAugust 14, 2023 • Stayed at: 083, Loop: DAM WEST
Always happy with the campground. Hope they continue to have first come/first serve spots in the future. Coles Creek went to all reservations and that makes it so you can't ever get a weekend unless you plan far ahead.
Location Dam West Campground
Address:
801 Lake Road
Carlyle, IL, 62231-9703
United States
From I-70, take State Route 127 south to Carlyle and turn east on William Road. Continue for 1/2-mile and turn north on Lake Road to reach the campground or turn south to reach the day use area.
Dam West Campground is accessible via IL-127, which is approximately 5 miles away. Additionally, I-70 can be accessed about 15 miles from the campground.
Latitude & Longitude: 38.6278 / -89.3583
Elevation: 136 feet
Policies & Rules
Arrival & departure
Check in time
5PM
Check out time
4PM
General
- All campsites are reservable.
- No personal checks or cash are accepted at this time. Credit/Debit card only.
- Camping No-Show - Camping no-show customers who do not arrive at the campground or group facility by check-out time the day after arrival or does not cancel the reservation by check out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date will be assessed a $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night use fee. If the no-show service fee is greater than the reservation amount, the customer will not be charged any additional service fees.
- Cancellation Fees - A $10 service fee is withheld from the refund anytime the customer cancels a camping or day use reservation. Depending on when the cancellation is made, it may be considered a late cancellation and additional fees may be forfeited. A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee.
- Firewood brought into this facility must be purchased, or collected locally due to invasive insects.
- 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.
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Last updated: June 4, 2026
