Camping
Camping In Clinton County, IL
Camping in Clinton County is focused on the fine facilities at Carlyle Lake. There is no need to beat around the proverbial campfire, the largest man-made lake in Illinois is the crown jewel of the county. You do have a few choices depending on what you call camping. Myself, I grew up camping in small, light tents, to some camping begins by backing in a 40 foot Motor Coach. No matter what your style of camping is, you can find that style around Carlyle Lake.
Three camping options exist at Carlyle Lake. The Army Corp of Engineers offers the wides selection of camp grounds, followed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and finally Hickory Shores Resort.
Army Corps of Engineers
The camping facilities at the following campgrounds, all of which are seasonal, are managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers. You can do an area search at the Recreation.Gov site for all facilities or directly link to the pages from the list below.
Dam West (119 Sites) – Fri, April 01, 2011 -Mon, October 31, 2011
Coles Creek (148 Sites) – Sat, April 30, 2011 – Fri, September 30, 2011
Boulder (89 Sites) – Fri, April 15, 2011 – Fri, October 14, 2011
McNair Group Area (Group/Individual) Sun, May 1, 2011 – Fri, September 30, 2011
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources
leases Eldon Hazlet State Park from the Army Corp of Engineers and offers total of 328 sites. About half those sites are open year-around and the remaining are open May through October. Campgrounds must be reserved 5 days before it is needed. For more information on the facilities at Eldon Hazlet State Park, visit the IDNR website.
If your idea of camping is a lakefront cottage, check out the special, weekday winter pricing at the Carlyle Lakefront Cottages!
Hickory Shores Resort
On the western shore of Carlyle Lake, south of Keyesport, you can find Hickory Shores Resort.
Rent a Pontoon Boat
Carlyle Lake Rentals – 14222 Lake Rd. – Carlyle, IL – 618-973-6188
Map of Carlyle Lake Camping Areas