Dam West Campground, near Carlyle, Illinois, is a fantastic spot for families and outdoor lovers alike. With a mix of tent, RV, and cabin accommodations, it caters to various camping styles, ensuring everyone can find their perfect setup.

This campground is known for its spacious sites and clean facilities, making it a comfortable place to unwind. Visitors rave about the well-kept grounds and the inviting beach area at Carlyle Lake, which is perfect for swimming and picnicking. One camper noted, “The sites are beautiful and well maintained! Great place to bike, hike, and swim at the beach.”

While the campground doesn’t take reservations, it fills up quickly, especially on weekends. It’s wise to arrive early or plan ahead if you want a prime spot. The campground also offers amenities like electric hookups and drinking water, so you can enjoy the great outdoors without sacrificing comfort.

For those looking to explore, there are plenty of trails for biking and walking nearby, along with easy access to local conveniences like Walmart and McDonald's. Whether you're here for a weekend or a longer stay, Dam West Campground provides a welcoming atmosphere and a great base for outdoor adventures.

## Overview

 Dam West Campground is a recreation area 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. 
## Recreation

 Dam West 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. 
## 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 and 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.

Dam West Campground

Carlyle, IL is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Carlyle, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Carlyle and user-submitted reviews.

Carlyle

The Best Camping Near Carlyle, Illinois

This is an ACOE so it is inexpensive and clean😊. There's lots of shade, level lots and waterfront sites. Though there is no water access on each site, it's not far from anyone. Tents are permitted on grass, which you will want to do because the pads have a large gravel on them. Sites are not reservable and campground has been crowded the entire time I have been here. Two weeks is the maximum stay. And it is enforced. [$18 per night]. They do accept America the beautiful pass.

First come first serve!

We have been visiting this campground for 4 years!  The campground has it all. Full hookups, reservable sites, walk up sites, and all sites are large!  Full hookup sites are booked solid so make sure you go online 6 months out or you are out of luck.  The campground is perfect for taking long walks and bike riding.  
There are two swimming pools close by but none in the campground.  
This is a COE campground and takes our senior pass. 
This is, by far, one of the nicest campgrounds we have been to and we are so fortunate that it’s so close to home. 


Our Favorite Campground!!!

We love Lake Carlyle and Dam West is a great place to camp.  CLEAN (and air conditioned) bath houses.  The sites are beautiful and well maintained!  Great place to bike, hike, and swim at the beach.  Close to Wal-Mart and McDonalds!! 😉

We camp here every summer!

Very nice kept up campground. 

Reservable sites are hard to book. Only negatives is that this campground is not open year-round.

Well kept campground with spacious sites

We arrived at this campground at 11am on a Friday only to find that that the first-come, first-serve sites were already full. From driving around it looks like a very nice campground. The location of prime and the beach at Dam West is great for the kids! We spent an afternoon there and enjoyed a picnic and swimming. Our advice would be reserve a spot ahead of time and do some months in advance is possible. After talking to the campground host, it sounds like they go fast.

Nice Campground, Fills Up Quickly

We camped right on the lake with a great view.  This site and the site next to it are the best sites in the campground with a pull through layout for a great setup for a lake view from the side of your camper.  There was not any shade on the site, so you will be dependent on an awning.  Keep in mind that strong winds can sweep across the lake and pick things up if not secured.

Photos of Dam West Campground

Real photos from real campers