Dam West Campground

One of the reasons we go to dam west is the cleaning lady, not the view, not the crabby old couple at the gate, yes, the gal who cleans the showers and bathrooms does a great job.

Like most Corps campgrounds, Dam West is RV (trailer and motorhome) oriented. I travel by motorcycle and pitch a tent, so I have different needs. Electric hookups, for instance, are not a big deal (I have a phone charger on the bike). A level, grassy site on which to pitch my tent is the most important thing, followed by hot showers, clean restrooms, quiet, nearby sources of provisions, and (in the best of all possible worlds) a sky free of light pollution. With that in mind…

I’ve camped twice at Dam West. First time I chose a space down toward the lake, with what I thought was a lake view. Not really, and finding a level spot to pitch my tent was a challenge. The unpaved parts of the site were also pretty sloping. Second time I took what was available: a site on the inside of the big loop. This had a gravel trailer pad, an electric box, but also backed up against a big, mowed, level, grass field. I pitched my tent just past the end of the trailer pad, and it was wonderful. The picnic table was a long way away, but that was OK. I slept like a baby.

Sanitary facilities are yet another of the Corps’ experiments: the building has seven unisex rooms containing toilet, sink and shower. Could get congested, though it has not on any of my (weekday) visits. Showers were hot and flow good. Like all government facilities, this is a BYO-TP operation, the paper in the rest rooms is so thin you can read through it (I have proven this).

There is a restaurant in the Dam West complex. I didn’t dine there, but instead purchased “cuisine de can” from a C-store out at the stoplight by the main highway. There is also a McD’s there.

Quiet hours were quiet, as the guy who washed his pickup truck a couple sites down had finished drying it with his leaf blower.

Sky was… typical Corps campground, too many lights.

Overall, it’s a nice place to get a good night’s sleep when traveling and tenting. Especially if you have the Senior Pass and it’s only ten bucks.

Excellent facilities, clean rest rooms.

We love that we are able to get a first come available site. Your park is convenient to shopping and restaurants. The sites are spacious and well kept, you are lucky you can get a lakeside site. We are originally from the area, but now reside in fla. your park makes it easy to visit with friends and family. Through the years we have made many friends in your parks

The campground was amazing and the bathrooms/showers were so very clean and neat!!

We love camping here.

Spacious, shady campsites. We loved the paved bike trails right there at the park. Bathhouses were clean. No water/sewer hookups.

Dam West Campground at Carlyle Lake is always is nice experience. The same was true this time. We had a great time with friends for the five days we were there. We took walks around the campground, rode our bicycles almost every day on the bike paths in the area, and had a campfire each evening as the weather for the whole week was gorgeous. Great campground!!

The campground is nice and clean. The bathrooms and showers are always clean. The camp is close to the boat ramp and beach. Also close to town if you need anything.
Dough boy pizzeria delivers to the campground too and the food is delicious! Al the campground host was so nice and polite too!

Campground is clean.
Sites are spacious.
Camp hosts are friendly.