Dam West Day Use

Dam West Day Use Area is situated on the southern shore of Carlyle Lake, 50 miles east of St. Louis, where the peaceful retreat of a small town meets the grandeur of Illinois' largest man-made lake. The day use area has two reservable picnic shelters that can accommodate up to 75 people each, as well as a boat ramp, courtesy docks and fish cleaning stations, and access to a marina and boat storage facility. There are multiple playgrounds on-site as well as a designated swimming beach, and camping is available at the adjacent Dam West Campground. Visitors can walk or bike across the dam to the Dam East facilities and McNair Group Area. The vast lake allows for plenty of water sports, and a multi-use biking and walking trail is a short drive away at the dam. Fishing is a popular pastime, with year-round bluegill, crappie, channel catfish, flathead catfish, white bass, largemouth bass, freshwater drum, carp and walleye. 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. Its waters and shores are a resting spot for migratory waterfowl and other birds, and there are six established Watchable Wildlife Sites with viewing towers open to the public around the lake. The Carlyle Lake Visitor Center, in the Dam West Recreation Area, has nature exhibits including a 215-gallon aquarium with native fish.