carlyle lake

583BillT

Beautiful lake and area. Well maintained, very clean. Lots of room for lots of people. Motel, cottages, campgrounds, rv parks, restaurant, visitor center, marinas, boat launches, sailing, bank and boat fishing, beaches, playground, picnic areas, walking and biking paths, waterfowl, variety of wooded and ag lands. All convenient to IL Rt 127 and Carlyle town.

MamaBruff

Yes the lake is muddy. But the people we talked to were very friendly and helpful. The boat docks and restroom facilities were clean and well maintained. There was adequate parking, and the visitor center was very nice. The proximity to the town of Carlyle makes it handy for last minute provisions and "fast" food.

jeinil62905

We just enjoyed camping 5 days at Dam West...the cleanest and the best shower houses...beautiful lake view every morning all day! Nice people taking reserve.Clean campground!Nice little town with plenty food choices..grocery stores..just everything you need and very close..also has marina..beach and hotel.

jjphillips78

We just experienced a beautiful weekend camping at Eldon Hazlet Campground at Carlyle Lake. The campground was beautiful, very clean and very accommodating. We would definitely camp here again. We were very disenchanted at the beach that was available nearby. There was a terrible terrible stagnant or dead smell and the sand was a construction grade dirty sand. The pool at the campground was great. Camp here again???? Absolutely! Just don't expect to go to a great beach. We were told by two locals that the Dam Access Beach was their best. Cleaning and aerating are needed! Don't forget to go to Wally's in nearby Breese Il. Great burger!

caimi

Nothing relieves stress better than a hike through nature and Eldon Hazlet State Park on Carlyle Lake in southern Illinois provides some very peaceful walks through the woods. On this beautiful summer day we hiked the Cherokee Trail - three interlocking loops that totaled about 3 miles. They took us through peaceful forested land, along the edge of Carlyle Lake and through a cemetery that predates the Civil War. Generally, I prefer a more strenuous hike and as those things go, this one was a walk in the park. But the scenery and weather were beautiful and I came out of the woods ready once again to meet my challenges.

angie258

lake Carlyle its the largest Manmade lake in Illinois a great place for fun and relaxation!!!! gonna be going back there soon on a Camping trip ,looking forward to it.

Adventur

Popular Carlyle Lake Is HUGE - It Is An Easy 1-Hour (70-Mile) Drive Due East of St. Louis & Is About 20+Miles Long & Up To 4-Miles Wide.It's Great For Swimming (From It's Sand Beaches), Sailing, Marina, Power Boating, Shaed Areas For Picnicking, Exploring It's Small Museum, Playgrounds, Hiking, Camping, & Lodging (Are All Located At It's Southern End) + On-Lake Fishing + Fishing From The Shoreline & Below The Dam Spillway, Are Favorites of Area Anglers.The Town of Carlyle (With It's Restaurants, Golfing & Other Amenities, Including Governor's Run Golf Course & A Wal-Mart Supercenter), Is Just A Couple of Miles Away.There Is A Minimal Charge ($) Day Fee, & $$ (Nite) For Tent & RV Camping At It's South Shore & Coles Creek Campgrounds.A Variety of Special Army Corps of Engineers Events Occur Throughout The Spring, Summer, & Fall Seasons.

636beckyw636

Carlyle Lake is beautiful... and we had the pleasure of staying the weekend there.... however the cabins we stayed at weren't the best we have ever had the pleasure of renting.... there lake and all it's beauty is simply breathtaking.... and when we stumbled upon a little lodge to eat some dinner.... we simply fell in love Bretz Wildlife Lodge and Winery is amazing... the service and staff impeccable... the food even better..... anytime we visit the Carlyle area... we are stopping in

249larryg

The water is extremely dirty. Nice campgrounds around the lake. Cool haunted trail at little prairie nature trail in October. Most local residents are very unfriendly. Don't recommend swimming in lake especially if you have any open wounds such as a cut or scratch.

TikiL_13

What a welcoming place! A Lodge in a beautiful setting close to Carlyle Lake, Carlyle, Illinois. There are many things to do and see here, you will be amazed! A beautiful water fountain, with a bridge over the water that's stocked with goldfish. They have food right there for you to feed them. A beautiful pavilion, outside bar, winery, and excellent restaurant all in a lodge atmosphere! They even have a tennis court, and cabins to rent! A must see and visit!

TLSIllinois

when we were kids we used to swim here a lot, pretty stinky anymore especially main beach. They do have nice camping, but be real careful boating, way too many shallow places all over lake, and sometimes a lot of debris floating about.

R0se_S548

I have been to Carlyle Lake vefore. I used to visit my grandparents as a child and we would camp at carlyle. The lake doesn't seem to be as clean as I remember. The campground however is just as quiet as I remembered

953DawnM953

A beautiful place for camping, boating or just a day outing. Nice beach area at the West Access. Remember to bring small bills because you need to pay in a drop box per car and per swimmer etc. Multiple boat ramps. Pontoon boats available for rent. Lovely place to watch the sail boats on the water or get active and go kayaking, fishing, swimming, biking etc.

782loric

shallow, not the clearest lake..gets windy. But close to STL. :) Kids love the bike trails, riding across the dam and riding into McD or DQ on their bike to eat. Lots of friendly people here. If you have campers in the family, they can stay at the campground, but hotels are right by.

doggonbad

I have been living in the Carlyle area for some years now, and the Lake is like my backyard. There is normally a good wind , however , too much wind and the lake can get rough like any other. Carlyle is a shallower lake , but is still good for Sailing and Fishing. I have spent many long , relaxing days on this lake. There are 5 beach areas peppered around the lake and several camping areas. Many people have discovered that our blacktop roads are great for long Bicycle rides and there is a ride around the lake mapped out . Check the signs on the Dam for the map. It is a nice place to visit and Explore.