How much does camping cost at DAM WEST SPILLWAY?

Camping fees at DAM WEST SPILLWAY range from $30/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Fees are typically paid at the campground entrance.

Is DAM WEST SPILLWAY first-come first-served or reservation?

DAM WEST SPILLWAY operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

Can I see photos of campsites at DAM WEST SPILLWAY before I book?

Yes! DAM WEST SPILLWAY has 2 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit DAM WEST SPILLWAY?

DAM WEST SPILLWAY is open May 01 to September 30. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at DAM WEST SPILLWAY?

DAM WEST SPILLWAY does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Are dogs allowed at DAM WEST SPILLWAY?

Pets are not allowed at DAM WEST SPILLWAY. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What activities can I do at DAM WEST SPILLWAY?

Popular activities at DAM WEST SPILLWAY include Fishing, Boating. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

DAM WEST SPILLWAY

4.74

17 reviews

DAM WEST SPILLWAY

Top 11% in MOWinter

Summer Destination

Featured in:Boating Camping Illinois Beach Camping Illinois Fall Camping Illinois +3 more

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

440 ft

Price

$30/night

Booking

Check Site

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

440 ft

Price

$30/night

Booking

Check Site

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Official Website

Get Directions

DAM WEST SPILLWAY

$30.00 - $30.00 / night

Campsite Fees

GROUP SHELTER ELECTRIC: $30.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

No paid fee categories listed.

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

618-594-5253

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to DAM WEST SPILLWAY

Compare with similar sites, watch availability, and build a packing list — Camp Sage handles all of it.

Campground Map

DAM WEST SPILLWAY

38.6083, -89.3583

Nearby places

St. Louis — 50 miles

Weather at DAM WEST SPILLWAY

Best Time to Camp at DAM WEST SPILLWAY

Best season: fall. Fall offers the best combination of comfortable weather and peak natural attractions — daytime temps typically range from the mid-50s to low-70s°F (13–22°C), with crisp mornings and lower humidity. Migratory waterfowl along the Mississippi Flyway are at their peak and shoreline foliage provides attractive color, making wildlife viewing and photography excellent; fishing and boating remain very productive with fewer summer crowds. Expect quieter campgrounds on weekday visits and lively but not-cr Peak months: October, September, May, June

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Spring offers migratory birds, active fishing and improving weather; good seasonal appeal.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 01 to September 30. Book 2-3 months ahead.

About DAM WEST SPILLWAY

Dam West Spillway sits along the Kaskaskia River tailwater below Carlyle Lake in southwestern Illinois, just across the Missouri border. Operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, this seasonal campground offers electric and water hookups at every site, hot showers, and direct access to river fishing and boating. The setting is quiet and well-maintained, with picnic tables and views of the spillway and surrounding river corridor.

Dam West Spillway is a day-use/recreation site connected to the Dam West Recreation Area, which offers a campground. The facility includes a reservable group picnic shelter and shore/water access but the specific campsite types (tent, RV, primitive, cabins, glamping) are not specified.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Fall offers the best combination of comfortable weather and peak natural attractions — daytime temps typically range from the mid-50s to low-70s°F (13–22°C), with crisp mornings and lower humidity. Migratory waterfowl along the Mississippi Flyway are at their peak and shoreline foliage provides attractive color, making wildlife viewing and photography excellent; fishing and boating remain very productive with fewer summer crowds. Expect quieter campgrounds on weekday visits and lively but not-cr Peak months: October, September, May, June

Elevation440 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground overlooks the spillway and Kaskaskia River, with some sites positioned close enough to the tailwater for direct fishing access. Wildlife is abundant here along the Mississippi Flyway. Reviewers regularly spot pelicans, great blue herons, and seasonal waterfowl. The river setting differs from the main lake experience, trading wide-open water for the constant, soothing sound of water flowing over the dam.

Programs & ActivitiesThe Carlyle Lake Visitor Center (located in the Dam West Recreation Area) provides information and nature exhibits, including a 215-gallon aquarium with native fish.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Groups

One reservable group picnic shelter is available and can accommodate up to 75 people.

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation PlatformsOne group picnic shelter is reservable. For facility-specific information and reservations call (618) 594-2484.

AccessibilityAccessible fishing pier is provided.

Site SizeGroup picnic shelter; campground available in the Dam West Recreation Area (types not specified).

Recommended SitesFacilities include one reservable group picnic shelter (up to 75 people), an accessible fishing pier, and proximity to boat ramps, courtesy docks, a marina and boat storage facility. A multi-use biking and walking trail is a short distance away at the dam.

Amenities available

Facility features include one reservable group picnic shelter (capacity up to 75 people), an accessible fishing pier, and proximity (within walking distance) to a marina and boat storage. The site is connected to the Dam West Day Use Area and Recreation Area (which offers a campground) and is a short drive from the Carlyle Municipal Pool and the Carlyle Lake Visitor Center with nature exhibits.

Picnic tables

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Dam West Spillway offers a range of water- and shore-based recreation tied to Carlyle Lake, including boating, fishing, biking/walking, wildlife viewing, and interpretive exhibits at the nearby visitor center. The lake supports organized sailing events and a variety of water sports.

Fishing

Boating

Cultural and Educational Programs

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Trip Planning Tools

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Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.7

17 reviews

Top-Rated

DAM WEST SPILLWAY is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviewers are very positive about Dam West Spillway (and closely related Dam East/McNair Spillway loop), describing it as peaceful, clean, and well maintained, with great opportunities for outdoor recreation. Guests consistently praise the scenery, water/electric sites, friendly hosts, and good value, with several calling it one of their favorite campgrounds.

Review Summaries

Based on 17 reviews

What Campers Love

Campers highlight the peaceful, beautiful setting with views of the spillway/tailwater and Kaskaskia River, noting it’s an excellent place to walk, fish, bike, hike, camp, and relax. They appreciate...

Based on 17 reviews

Common Concerns

The only recurring issue mentioned is the Corps of Engineers’ 14-day stay limit, which some guests feel is too short for such a desirable park. One reviewer also notes that a specific site (46) is...

Based on 17 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site 46 is described as an “ok spot” with water and electric and bathrooms nearby, all blacktop and back-in, but the reviewer recommends sites 44 or 45 as better choices because site 47 is very close...

Based on 17 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Reviewers suggest choosing sites 44 or 45 over 46 if possible, since 47 is very close to one side of 46. One guest emphasizes that it’s a wonderful place to wake up and fish, especially with the...

Based on 17 reviews

Camper Quotes

"One of our favorite places. Peaceful, beautiful, friendly people. Great place to walk, fish, bike, hike, camp, and just chill." "A beautiful well maintained Corps of Engineers campground with so...

Based on 17 reviews

Accessibility Features

Some practical layout details are noted: sites are blacktop and back-in with nearby bathrooms at least around site 46, which may make setup and access easier for many campers. However, there are no...

Based on 17 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

You want a clean, quiet river campground with full hookups and excellent fall fishing along the Mississippi Flyway.

Skip if

You need sewer hookups or plan to visit outside the seasonal operating window.

Nearby Campgrounds

801 Lake Road, Carlyle, IL 62231-9703, USA

Dam West Campground sits on Carlyle Lake, Illinois' largest reservoir, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The large campground offers full-hookup RV sites, tent camping, and cabins with access to fishing, boating, and biking along the shoreline. Facilities include showers, laundry, and WiFi, with consistent winds making the lake popular for sailing.

$20.00 - $60.00 / night

Highly Popular

4.3

(556)

Dam East - Mcnair Campground

801 Lake Road, Carlyle, IL, 62231, USA

Dam East–McNair sits on the eastern shore of Carlyle Lake in southern Illinois, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This mid-sized campground offers electric hookups, hot showers, and a swim beach, drawing families and boaters during the warm-weather season. Reviewers consistently note the spacious, well-maintained sites, though bathroom cleanliness and host interactions can be inconsistent.

$20.00 - $125.00 / night

Highly Popular

4.3

(616)

Coles Creek Campground

801 LAKE ROAD, CARLYLE, IL 62231-9703, USA

Coles Creek Campground sits on the shore of Carlyle Lake, Illinois' largest reservoir, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Full-hookup RV sites and tent options spread across a large property with flush toilets, hot showers, and laundry facilities. Campers fish, boat, swim, and bike the surrounding trails, with fall bringing migratory waterfowl and steady lake breezes that draw sailors.

$20.00 - $250.00 / night

Lotus Group Area sits on the shore of Carlyle Lake in southern Illinois, operated by Recreation.gov as a seasonal group campground with tent and RV sites plus cabins. The small facility offers electric hookups, vault toilets, and potable water, with direct access to boating and wildlife viewing on the lake. Strong afternoon winds draw sailors and powerboaters during the warm-weather months when the lake is most active.

$200.00 - $200.00 / night

801 Lake Road, Carlyle, IL 62231

Boulder Campground sits on the shore of Carlyle Lake in southern Illinois, managed by the Army Corps of Engineers. This large lakefront facility offers full-hookup RV sites, tent camping, and group areas with access to boating, fishing, hiking, and biking trails. Reviewers praise the clean facilities, attentive hosts, and spacious sites with lake views, though lakeside spots can be windy and bugs are common during peak season.

$20.00 - $40.00 / night

Campgrounds

DAM WEST SPILLWAY

About Carlyle Lake

Context for the broader area surrounding DAM WEST SPILLWAY, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.

Water-oriented outdoor recreation opportunities including camping, picnicking, swimming, boating, fishing, and hunting. Expecially attractive to sailboaters. Illinois' largest lake.

Directions

50 miles east of St. Louis, MO on US 50.