Centralia, Illinois camping areas cluster around Carlyle Lake, a 26,000-acre reservoir with 83 miles of shoreline. The region sits at approximately 500 feet elevation with humid continental climate conditions featuring hot summers and mild springs and falls. Most camping areas remain open from April through October, with limited winter camping available at select locations.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Dam East Recreation Area offers prime fishing spots along the spillway. One visitor noted, "Lots of fisherman bed down in the grassy areas at night, which was a fun thing to see!"
Swimming access: Boulder Recreation Area provides direct lake access with clean swimming areas. A camper shared, "Bathrooms and showers are available. Boat ramp on site and plenty of parking."
Walking trails: The region features extensive trail networks connecting many campgrounds. A visitor at COE Lake Carlyle McNair Campground mentioned, "There's miles and miles of walking and biking trails! Great campground for taking long walks and bike rides."
Nature viewing: Washington County State Recreation Area offers excellent stargazing due to minimal light pollution. A camper reported, "The sky was real dark, great for picking out constellations. We listened to Whip-por-will calls around the campfire."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many Corps of Engineers campgrounds feature generous camping spaces. At Dam West Campground, a visitor noted, "The sites are beautiful and well maintained! Great place to bike, hike, and swim at the beach."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds throughout the region receive praise for well-maintained amenities. One camper at Boulder Rec Area stated, "This campground boasts the best shower house/bathrooms around. They are air conditioned and cleaned regularly."
Affordability: Corps of Engineers campgrounds offer excellent value, especially for seniors. A visitor to McNair Campground shared, "If you're a senior, the rate is $7/night with electric. I paid $42 for 4 nights."
Lake views: Many sites provide direct water access. A camper at Coles Creek Recreation Area reported, "It has full hook up, 50 amp sites with many located right on the water!"
What you should know
Reservation requirements: During peak season, particularly weekends, reservations are essential. A visitor to Dam West Campground noted, "Full hookup sites are booked solid so make sure you go online 6 months out or you are out of luck."
Weather considerations: Flooding can impact accessibility at certain campgrounds. A reviewer of Boulder Recreation Area cautioned, "When the lake is flooded you cannot access this campground."
Drinking water quality: Water quality varies by location and season. One camper at Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area reported, "The potable water supply... was extremely dirty with a lot of copper colored solids. Not sure if this was related to it being early in the season."
Pit toilet conditions: Basic restroom facilities can be problematic at some sites. A visitor mentioned, "The pit toilets that were spread across the campground were in horrendous condition and had wasps, spiders, and other critters hanging out."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. A visitor to Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area shared, "There are three playground areas, a basketball court, sand volleyball and a pool during summer months."
Halloween events: Special seasonal activities attract families. A camper noted, "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."
Independent exploration: The campground layout allows for supervised freedom. One visitor observed, "Reminds me of when I was a kid and there were camp clubs. You came with your parents and didn't see them again until night time. We swam rode bikes and just played."
Beach proximity: Many campsites offer walking distance to swimming areas. A family at Coles Creek mentioned, "There is a beach for campers to use, and a really nice playground. Their bathrooms and showerhouse were impeccably clean."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: For optimal experiences, waterfront sites offer the best views. At Washington County State Recreation Area, a reviewer noted, "The cabins have no running water or nearby toilet but more private and great lake views."
Hookup availability: Full-service sites are limited and in high demand. A camper at Dam West explained, "Full hookups, reservable sites, walk up sites, and all sites are large! Full hookup sites are booked solid."
Dump station limitations: Some campgrounds have limited waste disposal facilities. One RVer cautioned, "The only thing I would change is the ONE dump station for this massive campground."
Leveling considerations: Site conditions vary throughout the region. A visitor at Boulder noted, "Sites were very level," while another at Dam East mentioned, "Some sites are spacious, others are pretty cramped."
