Established Camping
Boulder Rec. Area - COE Campground
Boulder Rec. Area - COE Campground, near Carlyle, Illinois, is a fantastic spot for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors without straying too far from civilization. With spacious sites that often offer stunning views of Carlyle Lake, it’s a prime location for both relaxation and recreation.
This campground boasts clean facilities, including air-conditioned bathrooms that visitors rave about. Many campers have noted the well-kept sites, complete with picnic tables and fire rings, perfect for evening gatherings. One happy camper mentioned, “The site was very spacious and the campground nice and quiet, clean and well kept.”
For those who love water activities, the campground features a marina where you can launch your boat and enjoy a day on the lake. The rocky shores might make swimming a bit tricky, but the views and sunsets are absolutely worth it. Plus, with nearby amenities in town, you can easily stock up on supplies or grab a bite to eat.
Whether you're camping in a tent or an RV, Boulder Rec. Area offers a welcoming atmosphere that keeps visitors coming back. With its combination of natural beauty and convenient facilities, it’s a solid choice for a weekend getaway or a longer stay.
Description
Overview
Boulder Campground is situated on the eastern 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 manmade lake.
Recreation
Boulder Campground provides fun both on the water and on shore. Boat ramps and courtesy docks are provided, and the vast lake allows for plenty of water sports. Fishing is a popular pastime, and the lake offers year-round varieties of fish such as bluegill, crappie, channel catfish, flathead catfish, white bass, largemouth bass, freshwater drum, carp and walleye. There is an on-site playground and plenty of open space for children to play, as well as an amphitheater for educational programs. A multi-use biking and walking trail is located a short drive away at the dam.
Facilities
Boulder Campground offers 82 campsites, all of which have a view of the lake with some sites being perched directly on the shoreline. Each campsite is equipped with electric hookups and provides a picnic area with picnic table and fire pit. The campground has modern amenities such as flush toilets, showers and drinking water. It is adjacent to the Boulder Day Use Area which provides a boat ramp and fish cleaning station, as well as a reservable group picnic shelter.
Natural Features
Created in 1967, the 26,000-acre lake is recognized as one of the nation's top ten inland sailing lakes and hosts several annual races and regattas. Carlyle Lake is home to an array of wildlife that can be seen throughout the year. Its waters and shores are a resting spot for migratory waterfowl and other birds. There are six established Watchable Wildlife Sites with viewing towers open to the public around the lake.
Nearby Attractions
The Carlyle Lake Visitor Center, located in the Dam West Recreation Area, has information available as well as nature exhibits on display, including a 215-gallon aquarium with native fish.
Charges & Cancellations
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 their reservation. If the no-show service fee is greater than the reservation amount, the customer will not be charged any additional service fees. Cancellations - 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.
Location
Boulder Rec. Area - COE Campground is located in Illinois
Directions
Address: 25501 Boulder Access RD, Shattuc, IL 62231. From I-57, turn west onto Old U.S. Highway 50. Continue for 19 miles through Salem, Odin and Sandoval. Turn north on Boulder Road and follow seven miles to the campground.
Address
801 LAKE ROAD
Carlyle, IL 62231-9703
Coordinates
38.6947222 N
89.2336111 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GExcellent Coverage
VerizonLTESome Coverage- AT&T5GExcellent Coverage
Detours Nearby
North Sandusky Campground
1 hr 2 min away
Sherwood Forest
1 hr 4 min away
Drive Time
- 1 hr 7 min from St. Louis
- 1 hr 42 min from Decatur
- 1 hr 47 min from Springfield
- 2 hrs 13 min from Cape Girardeau
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent Coverage
- VerizonLTESome Coverage
- AT&T5GExcellent Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Market
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
