Coles Creek Day Use in IL -- Campground & RV Camping

Coles Creek Day Use Area sits on the eastern shore of 26,000-acre Carlyle Lake, adjacent to Coles Creek Recreation Area and Lotus Group Area. The facility features a dog-friendly swimming beach, an on-site playground, flush toilets, showers, and drinking water. Boating infrastructure includes a boat ramp, courtesy docks, and a fish cleaning station to access year-round fishing for bass, catfish, and crappie. The area offers one reservable group picnic shelter for up to 75 people, with a multi-use walking and biking trail located a short drive away at the main dam.

Getting there: From I-57, take Old U.S. Highway 50 west for 19 miles, through Salem, Odin and Sandoval. Turn north on Boulder Road/2400E and continue for 4 miles, then turn east on 1700N and continue until the road connects with 2400E. Continue south to the Coles Creek entrance. Address: 16225 Coles Creek RD, Carlyle, IL 62231

• Well separated here, with the nearest through road 1.4 miles off.
• Sits on broad, near-level ground.
• The Carlyle Reservoir shoreline is 0.1 mi off.
• Open country, with nothing named rising within 30 miles.
• Estimated night sky: Bortle 3, a dark rural sky.

Rules