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Boulder Campground

Carlyle Lake, Illinois

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As of October 2026, Boulder Campground is a campground in Illinois with 82 campsites. Boulder Campground is booked through Recreation.gov.

PermitSnag checks Boulder Campground for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
Boulder Campground is located at 38.6947° N, 89.2336° W.

people allowed on 79 of 82 sites: 8
people allowed on each of the 3 largest sites: 16

Boulder Campground reservations and next available dates

October 2026

November 2026

open, tap to book on Recreation.govsold outin your alert

Stay and booking rules

Mid-stay changes allowed
Maximum stay: 14 nights
Military discount available

Published by Recreation.gov for Boulder Campground, read on September 28, 2026.

Campsites at Boulder Campground

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Standard 82
Accessible 2
Hookups 82

What an RV fits

40–44 ft1 site
45–49 ft3 sites
50–54 ft6 sites
55–59 ft1 site
60–64 ft6 sites
65–69 ft20 sites
70–74 ft6 sites
75–79 ft21 sites
80–84 ft7 sites
85–89 ft2 sites
90–94 ft3 sites
95–99 ft4 sites
100–104 ft2 sites

Amenities

restrooms
showers
potable water

At a glance: Setting: Lake.

Things to do: fishing, boating, hiking, wildlife, climbing.

All sites at Boulder Campground, as listed by Recreation.gov

Every site is in the BOULDER CAMPGROUND loop.

Site	Type	Sleeps	Max RV	Hookups	Access
001	Standard	8	75 ft	Electric, Water, Sewer	Accessible
002	Standard	8	75 ft	Electric, Water, Sewer	-
003	Standard	8	75 ft	Electric, Water, Sewer	-
004	Standard	8	75 ft	Electric, Water, Sewer	-
005	Standard	8	75 ft	Electric, Water, Sewer	-
006	Standard	8	75 ft	Electric, Water, Sewer	-
007	Standard	8	75 ft	Electric, Water, Sewer	-
008	Standard	8	75 ft	Electric, Water, Sewer	-
009	Standard	8	97 ft	Electric	-
010	Standard	8	83 ft	Electric	-
011	Standard	8	66 ft	Electric	-
012	Standard	8	62 ft	Electric	-
013	Standard	8	66 ft	Electric	-
014	Standard	8	66 ft	Electric	-
015	Standard	8	85 ft	Electric	-
016	Standard	8	65 ft	Electric	-
017	Standard	8	48 ft	Electric	-
018	Standard	8	65 ft	Electric	-
019	Standard	8	65 ft	Electric	-
020	Standard	8	50 ft	Electric	-
021	Standard	8	61 ft	Electric	-
022	Standard	8	75 ft	Electric	-
023	Standard	16	73 ft	Electric	-
024	Standard	8	67 ft	Electric	-
025	Standard	8	69 ft	Electric	-
026	Standard	8	70 ft	Electric	-
027	Standard	8	52 ft	Electric	-
028	Standard	8	50 ft	Electric	-
029	Standard	8	70 ft	Electric	-
030	Standard	16	78 ft	Electric	-
031	Standard	8	45 ft	Electric	-
032	Standard	8	48 ft	Electric	-
033	Standard	8	78 ft	Electric	-
034	Standard	8	83 ft	Electric	-
035	Standard	8	52 ft	Electric	-
036	Standard	16	68 ft	Electric	-
037	Standard	8	43 ft	Electric	-
038	Standard	8	95 ft	Electric	-
039	Standard	8	77 ft	Electric	-
040	Standard	8	65 ft	Electric	-
041	Standard	8	76 ft	Electric	-

Site	Type	Sleeps	Max RV	Hookups	Access
042	Standard	8	79 ft	Electric	-
043	Standard	8	65 ft	Electric	-
044	Standard	8	74 ft	Electric	-
045	Standard	8	90 ft	Electric	-
046	Standard	8	60 ft	Electric	-
047	Standard	8	67 ft	Electric	-
048	Standard	8	69 ft	Electric	-
049	Standard	8	95 ft	Electric	-
050	Standard	8	65 ft	Electric	-
051	Standard	8	66 ft	Electric	-
052	Standard	8	50 ft	Electric	-
053	Standard	8	55 ft	Electric	-
054	Standard	8	60 ft	Electric	-
055	Standard	8	85 ft	Electric	-
056	Standard	8	68 ft	Electric	-
057	Standard	8	75 ft	Electric	-
058	Standard	8	67 ft	Electric	-
059	Standard	8	52 ft	Electric	Accessible
060	Standard	8	83 ft	Electric	-
061	Standard	8	83 ft	Electric	-
062	Standard	8	83 ft	Electric	-
063	Standard	8	68 ft	Electric	-
064	Standard	8	80 ft	Electric	-
065	Standard	8	74 ft	Electric	-
066	Standard	8	76 ft	Electric	-
067	Standard	8	61 ft	Electric	-
068	Standard	8	101 ft	Electric	-
069	Standard	8	67 ft	Electric	-
070	Standard	8	78 ft	Electric	-
071	Standard	8	65 ft	Electric	-
072	Standard	8	95 ft	Electric	-
073	Standard	8	60 ft	Electric	-
074	Standard	8	100 ft	Electric	-
075	Standard	8	75 ft	Electric	-
076	Standard	8	78 ft	Electric	-
077	Standard	8	73 ft	Electric	-
078	Standard	8	94 ft	Electric	-
079	Standard	8	92 ft	Electric	-
080	Standard	8	75 ft	Electric	-
081	Standard	8	75 ft	Electric	-
082	Standard	8	83 ft	Electric	-

About Boulder Campground

Overview

Boulder Campground is situated on the eastern shore of Carlyle Lake, a prime getaway for city-dwellers and families. Located 50 miles east of St. Louis, the area offers the peaceful retreat of a small town combined with the grandeur of Illinois' largest manmade lake.

Recreation

Boulder Campground provides fun both on the water and on shore. Boat ramps and courtesy docks are provided, and the vast lake allows for plenty of water sports. Fishing is a popular pastime, and the lake offers year-round varieties of fish such as bluegill, crappie, channel catfish, flathead catfish, white bass, largemouth bass, freshwater drum, carp and walleye. There is an on-site playground and plenty of open space for children to play, as well as an amphitheater for educational programs. A multi-use biking and walking trail is located a short drive away at the dam.

Facilities

Boulder Campground offers 82 campsites, all of which have a view of the lake with some sites being perched directly on the shoreline. Each campsite is equipped with electric hookups and provides a picnic area with picnic table and fire pit. The campground has modern amenities such as flush toilets, showers and drinking water. It is adjacent to the Boulder Day Use Area which provides a boat ramp and fish cleaning station, as well as a reservable group picnic shelter.

Natural Features

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.

Carlyle Lake is home to an array of wildlife that can be seen throughout the year. Its waters and shores are a resting spot for migratory waterfowl and other birds. There are six established Watchable Wildlife Sites with viewing towers open to the public around the lake.

Nearby Attractions

The Carlyle Lake Visitor Center, located in the Dam West Recreation Area, has information available as well as nature exhibits on display, including a 215-gallon aquarium with native fish.

Charges & Cancellations

Camping No Show - Camping no-show customers who do not arrive at the campground or group facility by check-out time the day after arrival or does not cancel the reservation by check out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date will be assessed a $20.00 service fee and forfeit their reservation. If the no-show service fee is greater than the reservation amount, the customer will not be charged any additional service fees.

Cancellations - A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee.

Rules and notices at Boulder Campground

Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 28, 2026. Check Boulder Campground on Recreation.gov

Notices from Recreation.gov

All campsites are reservable.

No cash or personal checks are accepted at this time. Credit/Debit card only.

Camping No-Show - Camping no-show customers who do not arrive at the campground or group facility by check-out time the day after arrival or does not cancel the reservation by check out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date will be assessed a $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night use fee. If the no-show service fee is greater than the reservation amount, the customer will not be charged any additional service fees.

Cancellation Fees - A $10 service fee is withheld from the refund anytime the customer cancels a camping or day use reservation. Depending on when the cancellation is made, it may be considered a late cancellation and additional fees may be forfeited.

A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee.

Check-out time is 4:00 PM, Check-in time is 5:00 PM.

Firewood brought into this facility must be purchased, or collected locally due to invasive insects.

Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.

Click here for a virtual tour of Carlyle Lake.

Recreation.gov permit and campground cancellations →

Boulder Campground FAQ

How hard is it to get a campsite at Boulder Campground?

Boulder Campground is rated "Moderate to Book" based on historical demand. With 82 sites available, you have good chances of finding availability, especially on weekdays.

How do I find last-minute availability at Boulder Campground?

Cancellations happen frequently at Boulder Campground, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.

How many campsites does Boulder Campground have?

Boulder Campground has 82 campsites.

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