Dam West Day Use

801 Lake Road, Carlyle, Illinois, United States

DAM WEST DAY USE
Dam West Beach
DAM WEST DAY USE

Featured amenities

Showers Showers
Playground Playground
View all amenities

About Dam West Day Use

Dam West Day Use 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.

Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Boating

Boating

Spring Summer Fall
Fishing

Fishing

Year-round
Swimming

Swimming

Summer

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 open - May 1 to Sep 30

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Showers Showers
Playground Playground
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Showers
On Site Services

On Site Services

  • Playground
Water Access

Water Access

  • Beach Access
  • Marina
Missing information?

Reviews (27)

What Guests Are Saying

Dam West Day Use offers a clean and spacious environment, perfect for family gatherings and events. Reviewers appreciated the availability of grills, picnic tables, and the efficiency of the boat rental process. Overall, guests found the facilities accommodating and the staff friendly, making it a desirable location for both relaxation and activities.

Review Summary

4.1
27 reviews
5
63.0%
17
4
14.8%
4
3
0.0%
0
2
14.8%
4
1
7.4%
2

Luis H

January 15, 2026

5

We had our annual church service; we had a great time.

Luis H

January 15, 2026

5

We had our annual church service; we had a great time.

Kris S

May 23, 2026

5

It was awesome

Carolyn B

June 1, 2026

5

The Area Was Nice And Clean Grills Was Available Enough Space For The Whole Family I've Rented This Location Several Time Will Return Soon So Relaxing

Ciaira J

July 10, 2026

5

My family and I had a blast there for my birthday.

John P

August 16, 2026

4

John P

August 16, 2026

4

Location Dam West Day Use

Address:
801 Lake Road
Carlyle, IL, 62231
United States

Highway access

The campground is accessible via I-70, with State Route 127 providing direct access south to Carlyle.

Elevation: 138 feet

Distance to downtown

1.9 mi drive to downtown Carlyle (about 5 min)

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Policies & Rules

General

  • Day-use hours are daily.
  • 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.
  • Click here for a virtual tour of Carlyle Lake.

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Dam West Spillway

Dam West Spillway

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Dam West Spillway is located on the southern shore of Carlyle Lake, Illinois' largest man-made lake, 50 miles east of St. Louis. It serves as a peaceful retreat for city-dwellers and families. The area combines the charm of a small town with sceni...
Dam East Spillway (Day Use)

Dam East Spillway (Day Use)

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The Dam East Spillway Day Use Area is located on the southern shore of Carlyle Lake, 50 miles east of St. Louis. It serves as a tranquil escape for city-dwellers and families, combining a small-town atmosphere with the beauty of Illinois' largest ...

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Nearby destinations

Carlyle
Breese
Bartelso

Last updated: August 23, 2026

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