Dam East Rec. Area (Day Use) in IL -- Campground & RV Camping

Dam East Recreation Area sits on the southern shore of Carlyle Lake, a 26,000-acre reservoir created in 1967 along the Kaskaskia River in southern Illinois. The site serves as a access point for water sports, sailing, and fishing for crappie, catfish, and bass. On-site facilities include two boat ramps—including a high-water ramp—and a courtesy dock. Visitors can access a multi-use biking and walking trail nearby that crosses the dam to additional facilities, or explore six designated Watchable Wildlife Sites with viewing towers situated around the lake.

Getting there: From I-57, take Old U.S. Route 50 west for 37 miles to the Dam East entrance road and turn north. Turn east at the next intersection and continue for 1.2 miles to Dam East Day Use Area.

• Limited separation from through roads or other sites here, with the nearest through road 0.1 miles off.
• Sits on broad, near-level ground.
• Estimated night sky: Bortle 4, a rural sky with a glow on the horizon.
• Open country, with nothing named rising within 30 miles.
• The Carlyle Reservoir shoreline is 0.5 mi off.