Dam West Campground

Photo · USACE

Not publishedStatus

ReservableAccess

109Sites

138 ftMax rig

The place

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. Keep reading

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 Dam West Campground contains 109 reservable campsites. It provides modern amenities and access to a marina and boat storage facility. The adjacent Dam West Spillway and Dam West Day Use Area offer additional recreational opportunities. Visitors can also walk or bike across the dam to the Dam East facilities and McNair Group Area. 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.

SRC · Recreation.gov RIDB full extract · 2026-08-23

The sites · 109

Loop	Site	Type	Max rig	Electric	ADA
DAM WEST	001	management	85 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	002	standard electric	58 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	003	standard electric	85 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	004	standard electric	58 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	005	standard electric	77 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	006	standard electric	59 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	007	standard electric	100 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	008	standard electric	75 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	009	standard electric	68 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	010	standard electric	61 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	011	standard electric	75 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	012	standard electric	128 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	013	standard electric	99 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	014	standard electric	105 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	015	standard electric	62 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	016	standard electric	63 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	017	standard electric	102 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	018	standard electric	65 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	019	standard electric	138 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	020	standard electric	102 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	021	standard electric	60 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	022	standard electric	106 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	023	standard electric	60 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	024	standard electric	67 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	025	standard electric	52 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	026	standard electric	90 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	027	standard electric	68 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	028	standard electric	54 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	029	standard electric	68 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	030	standard electric	125 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	031	standard electric	61 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	032	standard electric	64 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	033	standard electric	60 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	034	standard electric	88 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	035	standard electric	60 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	036	standard electric	76 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	037	standard electric	65 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	038	standard electric	68 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	039	standard electric	73 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	040	standard electric	62 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	041	standard electric	63 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	042	standard electric	83 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	043	standard electric	85 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	044	standard electric	77 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	045	standard electric	83 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	046	standard electric	58 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	047	standard electric	77 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	048	standard electric	55 ft	20/30/50	yes
DAM WEST	049	standard electric	58 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	050	standard electric	110 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	051	standard electric	98 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	052	standard electric	123 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	053	standard electric	112 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	054	standard electric	76 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	055	standard electric	98 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	056	standard electric	57 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	057	standard electric	127 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	058	standard electric	83 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	059	standard electric	52 ft	20/30/50
DAM WEST	060	standard electric	74 ft	20/30/50

SHOWING 60 OF 109 SITES

SRC · Recreation.gov RIDB full extract · 2026-08-23

Booking

183 daysBooking window before arrival

Recreation.gov default: most campsites can be booked six months prior to arrival date. Most campgrounds go on sale at 7am PT / 8am MT / 10am ET, but not always; check the facility Seasons and Fees tab. Some locations also offer shorter supplemental booking windows.

Book on recreation.gov

SRC · Rules verified against recreation.gov · 2026-08-24

Your representative

This campground sits in IL-12. This member’s public-lands record →

SRC · U.S. Census TIGER · MTJP Scorecard