Carlyle Lake offers a mix of developed campgrounds with most managed by the Army Corps of Engineers and Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The largest lake in Illinois provides numerous camping options including Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area and Coles Creek Recreation Area, both featuring a range of tent sites, RV hookups, and some cabin accommodations. Campgrounds around the lake maintain well-established facilities with electric hookups available at most locations. The Boulder Recreation Area and Dam West Campground round out the primary developed camping destinations on different portions of the lake, offering varied water views and access points.
Reservations are strongly recommended for weekend stays throughout summer and early fall when campgrounds frequently reach capacity, especially for waterfront and full hookup sites. Most campgrounds maintain operational seasons from spring through fall, with limited winter availability. Water and electrical service may be reduced during off-season months. Bathhouses and shower facilities vary across campgrounds, with most open from April through October. The region experiences typical Midwestern seasonal patterns with hot, humid summers and mild springs and falls ideal for camping. As one camper noted, "The sites are very nice and most have shade. There is a beach for campers to use, and a really nice playground. Their bathrooms and showerhouse were impeccably clean, and many sites are right next to the lake."
Waterfront sites receive consistently high reviews across multiple campgrounds, with many visitors highlighting the spacious, level areas suitable for both tent and RV camping. According to reviews from The Dyrt, Coles Creek Recreation Area stands out with "large waterfront campsites, full hookup loop, and 4 other large loops that have electric." Campgrounds provide amenities like swimming beaches, picnic areas, playgrounds, and boat ramps giving campers direct lake access. Several visitors mentioned the family-friendly atmosphere and clean facilities as significant advantages, though some campgrounds receive feedback about limited restroom accessibility. The campground at Eldon Hazlet hosts special seasonal events including an extensive Halloween celebration with decorated sites and activities that draws significant crowds requiring advance planning.
$15 - $30 / night
"Right next to Carlyle Lake. Clean campground with electric sites only. Reservations available on line at Reserve America."
"It is a popular destination for locals and those nearby during the summer and fall, but if you are able to choose your site early, there are quite a few options that will offer more privacy."
$20 - $250 / night
"Coles Creek is a nice, large campground located on Carlyle Lake in Illinois. It has full hook up, 50 amp sites with many located right on the water!"
"Coles Creek Campground on Carlyle Lake has 219 sites, most with full hookups, and shade. (There is 30 & 50 a as no service). Internet is spotty. There are also 2 group campsites with cabins."
$20 - $40 / night
"Boulder is a lovely campground tucked away on Carlyle Lake. It has it's own marina where you can rent a slip for your boat. The sites are well spaced and have a beautiful view of the lake and sunsets!"
"The bathrooms, showers, and laundry all close by. Good hot water in the showers. The host was friendly and helpful. I’d go back again!"
$30 / night
"It is directly on Carlyle Lake, ,the largest lake in Illinois. It has activities for children on the weekends."
"Ranger Review Primus LiTech Trek Kettle at Dam West Campground Campground Review
What a great campground on the shore of Carlyle Lake!"
$20 - $60 / night
"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."
"We camped right on the lake with a great view. "
"We love camping at all the campgrounds on Carlyle Lake. It’s always a good time. There are plenty of areas to fish, hike, swim, picnic."
"Overall Rating: 4 for cleanliness and location for travels on nearby highway. Spillway is not particularly pretty."
$20 - $125 / night
"McNair ACE: Tate 4 for cleanliness and stopover location for travels on nearby highway. Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(72 yr olds in 27’ trailer.)"
"Bathroom close by and very clean. Shower house only available at the main campground, which was a distance away and not reasonable to walk with a little one."
"Quiet and plenty of trees and a walking path. A beach to swim at and a dock to fish off. A playground for kids. You can tent camp in a.few places but mai.ly for electric campers and.RV's."
"There's miles and miles of walking and biking trails! The sites are pretty generously sized. The host was nice and the price was fantastic! I paid $42 for 4 nights."
"Fun little trails, boat rentals and a swimming “beach” . On-site store and nicely groomed campgrounds."
TravelerThe campsite is nice plenty of spaces spaced out nicely, but there’s absolutely no signage. took us forever to decide where we could park and what to do. tiny little sign on the Rangers house. Led us to a website and then charged us $50. Not what we were expecting. Plan ahead on this one.
GuideGreat campsite very large easy to get in and additional parking for your truck right next to your trailer
GuideWhat started as a one-night camping trip quickly turned into a three-night stay—I just didn't want to leave! Most of the campsites feature beautiful lake views and are well-shaded by tall trees. Each spot is equipped with an electric hookup, a fire pit, and a picnic table, plus having access to hot showers made the stay super comfortable. To top it off, our cats loved taking walks with us around the campground!
GuideThis was a beautiful place to spend an evening on our cross country trip. We were able to secure site B7 -a nice level and shady spot on a beautiful tree lined lake. The site was dusty but there was a picnic table and electricity. It was 90 degrees in early October so I can imagine the open spots are really hot during the heat of the summer. Signs tell you to check in with camp host before parking but there was no one at their camper. I called the phone number and a helpful gentleman explained that the sites were first come, first served and someone would be around to collect our $20 fee. One large bathhouse for the campground was a good walk away but was spotless. I would have given this campground a 5 rating but after walking around, we realized that most of the sites by the lake were hard packed dirt, small and not level. However there is a new section I that has 10 long back in gravel pads with electric & water. They are away from the water but close to the shower house. Finally, google coordinates directed us to a private residence just short of the marina. Follow directions to the marina and find the road to the campground at the end of the parking lot.
ScoutRend Lake, in Whittington, Il is just a great place to camp. From primitive to full hook ups they have what you need for a Corps of Engineers campground.
TravelerJody, the hostess, is friendly and responsive. We stayed one night in the fall so the many permanent RVs were not occupied. The park is large and surrounded by woods and fields. We had a peaceful night near the cornfields where the short-term RV sites are located. Can hear the train horn in the distance. Note that they are tandem, so pull thru for the first person but back in for the second. We would stay here again.
TravelerI believe this is one of the best campgrounds I've been to. It is safe friendly, theres laundry, lp fill, close to rend lake, 20 mins from walmart, a great place to relax and visit, vacation, whatever you like.
GuideWe arrived at 7 picked a spot in the fcfs area and were surprised that it was almost empty. We got a premium site on the water, with no other campers in sight. The website says the reservation areas were full but that was not true, you have to book 4 days in advance. The camp host was great! It will be on my list of places to overnight in the future. But the lake is beautiful and you could spend multiple days there if you wanted!
GuidePaved roads and campsites. Convenient to the interstate but removed enough to be peaceful. Beautiful sunset at the lake. Bathhouse is outdated but functional.
Carlyle Lake campgrounds offer a range of outdoor experiences across multiple recreation areas. The lake spans approximately 26,000 acres with 83 miles of shoreline, making it Illinois' largest man-made lake. Most camping facilities operate from April through October, though select sites maintain limited winter availability. Water levels can fluctuate seasonally, sometimes affecting campground accessibility during high-water periods.
Fishing access: Multiple spots around the lake provide varied fishing opportunities. At Dam East Recreation Area, visitors note "there was lots of people catching lots of fish in the river just after the spillway. The fish cleaning stations seemed to be occupied every-time we passed them" according to a reviewer at Dam East - Mcnair Campground.
Biking trails: Paved paths connect several camping areas and recreational facilities. Boulder Recreation Area campers mention "a bike path that goes right past the campground that was busy all weekend with bikers, runners, and walkers, and takes you from the shower house to the marina in just a short walk."
Swimming options: Beyond the main beach, campers can access designated swimming areas. A camper at Coles Creek Recreation Area notes "There is a beach for campers to use," while another visitor points out "a zero entry pool for a $5 fee on weekends" at one of the state park facilities.
Lakefront sites: Waterfront camping spots remain popular for their accessibility and views. A visitor at Boulder Rec. Area - COE Campground shared "Stayed at site 6. Had full hookups, plenty of space, lots of shade, and a wonderful view. The site is level and also has a picnic table and fire ring. Overlooks the marina so you can watch boats come and go."
Well-maintained facilities: Campers frequently mention the clean amenities. "Their bathrooms and showerhouse were impeccably clean," notes one camper, while another at Dam West Campground states "Clean well kept grounds. Decent spacing and sites look mostly level."
Wildlife viewing: The lake attracts various bird species. A camper at Dam West mentioned "This campground is heavenly and peaceful. Lots of migrant waterfowl. Pelicans, egrets, blue herons…" Another camper noted "lots of deer bed down in the grassy areas at night, which was a fun thing to see!"
Campground closures: Flooding occasionally affects accessibility. One camper at Boulder Rec. Area - COE Campground noted "when the lake is flooded you can not access this campground."
Water quality concerns: Some visitors have experienced issues with water sources. A camper mentioned "the potable water supply. I filled by trailer's tank at the drinking water supply when you enter the campground. It was extremely dirty with a lot of copper colored solids."
Reservation requirements: Popular weekends fill quickly. A visitor at Dam West Campground observed "We arrived at this campground at 11am on a Friday only to find that that the first-come, first-serve sites were already full... Our advice would be reserve a spot ahead of time and do some months in advance is possible."
Playground access: Multiple recreation areas feature play equipment for children. A visitor at Illini Campground — Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area shared "There are three playground areas, a basketball court, sand volleyball and a pool during summer months. Lots of families with kids, bike rides and plenty of other lake and outdoor activities in the area."
Beach proximity: Some campsites offer easy beach access for families. A camper noted "We stayed here for the first time the weekend of October 9th... We lucked out and were able to reserve one of the last spots (site #76) which happened to have a nice view of the lake and several short trails down to the water. There was a sand/beach area and plenty of firewood around."
Special events: Seasonal activities cater to families with children. A visitor shared "They have a huge Halloween event every year where people decorate their sites (pretty extensively) and there's a haunted house, then kids trick or treat from site to site. The campground also provides pumpkin painting contests and other fun activities."
Site leveling: RV pads vary across the lake's campgrounds. At COE Lake Carlyle McNair Campground, a camper noted "The sites are pretty generously sized. The host was nice and the price was fantastic! I paid $42 for 4 nights. If you're a senior, the rate is $7/ night with electric."
Electric options: Service levels differ between recreation areas. A camper mentioned "There are full hook up, 50 amp sites with many located right on the water!" Another noted "Water not at many sites" when describing Dam West Campground.
Weather considerations: Lakeside exposure can bring strong winds. A visitor warned "Keep in mind that strong winds can sweep across the lake and pick things up if not secured" when describing their lakeside site experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Coles Creek Campground open year-round at Carlyle Lake?
Coles Creek Recreation Area is not open year-round. While specific seasonal dates aren't mentioned in reviews, most Corps of Engineers campgrounds on Carlyle Lake, including Coles Creek, typically operate from April through October. This large campground features 219 sites, most with full hookups (both 30 and 50 amp service available), and has amenities like showers, flush toilets, a playground, fish cleaning station, and a boat ramp. For off-season camping at Carlyle Lake, check availability at Dam East Recreation Area which may have extended seasonal options.
What campgrounds are available at Carlyle Lake?
Carlyle Lake offers several excellent campgrounds for visitors. Illini Campground — Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area features over 300 electric sites and 30+ tent sites, many with lake views. Dam West Spillway provides sites with water and sewer hookups, some right on the lake. Other options include Boulder Recreation Area with marina access, Dam East Recreation Area with fishing and hiking opportunities, and Coles Creek Recreation Area featuring full hookup sites. Each campground offers unique amenities and views of Illinois' largest lake, with varying levels of privacy and access to water activities.
Can I find RV rentals near Carlyle Lake, Illinois?
While specific RV rental services directly at Carlyle Lake aren't mentioned in reviews, RV rentals are likely available in nearby communities. Carlyle Lake is a popular RV destination with multiple campgrounds supporting larger rigs. Boulder Rec. Area - COE Campground is particularly RV-friendly with well-spaced sites and beautiful lake views. Alternatively, South Marcum Campground at nearby Rend Lake is noted as being exceptionally nice with many sites suitable for RVs. For rental options, check with local dealers in Carlyle or nearby larger towns like Centralia or Mt. Vernon.
Where can I find a map of Hazlet Campground at Carlyle Lake?
Maps for Illini Campground — Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area (commonly called Hazlet) can be found through multiple sources. The official Illinois Department of Natural Resources website provides downloadable maps of state recreation areas including Eldon Hazlet. You can also find campground maps on The Dyrt's campground page, which includes site layouts and amenities. Additionally, maps are typically available at the park office upon arrival. These maps show the campground's 300+ electric sites, 30+ tent sites, and amenities like the swimming pool, campground store, and access points to Carlyle Lake.
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