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Dam West Campground

Carlyle Lake, Illinois

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As of October 2026, Dam West Campground is a campground in Illinois with 109 campsites. Dam West Campground is booked through Recreation.gov.

PermitSnag checks Dam West Campground for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
Dam West Campground is located at 38.6278° N, 89.3583° W.

people allowed on 107 of 109 sites: 8
people allowed on each of the 2 largest sites: 16

Dam West Campground reservations and next available dates

October 2026

November 2026

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

Next Available Dates

Oct 1 (30 sites)Oct 4 (45 sites)

30 sites open on Oct 1 at Dam West Campground. Book one now, or pick your dates above and get an alert when a site opens.

As of 30 September 2026, 06:53 UTC.

Stay and booking rules

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

Published by Recreation.gov for Dam West Campground, read on September 29, 2026.

Campsites at Dam West Campground

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Standard 109
Accessible 2
Hookups 109

What an RV fits

50–54 ft4 sites
55–59 ft13 sites
60–64 ft18 sites
65–69 ft14 sites
70–74 ft10 sites
75–79 ft13 sites
80–84 ft5 sites
85–89 ft5 sites
90–94 ft3 sites
95–99 ft3 sites
100–104 ft4 sites
105–109 ft4 sites
110–114 ft5 sites
120–124 ft1 site
125–129 ft4 sites
135–139 ft3 sites

Amenities

potable water

At a glance: Setting: Lake.

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

All sites at Dam West Campground, as listed by Recreation.gov

Every site is in the DAM WEST loop.

Site	Type	Sleeps	Max RV	Hookups	Access
001	Standard	8	85 ft	Electric, Water, Sewer	-
002	Standard	8	58 ft	Electric	-
003	Standard	8	85 ft	Electric	-
004	Standard	8	58 ft	Electric	-
005	Standard	8	77 ft	Electric	-
006	Standard	8	59 ft	Electric	-
007	Standard	8	100 ft	Electric	-
008	Standard	8	75 ft	Electric	-
009	Standard	8	68 ft	Electric	-
010	Standard	8	61 ft	Electric	-
011	Standard	8	75 ft	Electric	-
012	Standard	8	128 ft	Electric	-
013	Standard	8	99 ft	Electric	-
014	Standard	8	105 ft	Electric	-
015	Standard	8	62 ft	Electric	-
016	Standard	8	63 ft	Electric	-
017	Standard	8	102 ft	Electric	-
018	Standard	8	65 ft	Electric	-
019	Standard	8	138 ft	Electric	-
020	Standard	8	102 ft	Electric	-
021	Standard	8	60 ft	Electric	-
022	Standard	8	106 ft	Electric	-
023	Standard	8	60 ft	Electric	-
024	Standard	8	67 ft	Electric	-
025	Standard	8	52 ft	Electric	-
026	Standard	8	90 ft	Electric	-
027	Standard	8	68 ft	Electric	-
028	Standard	8	54 ft	Electric	-
029	Standard	8	68 ft	Electric	-
030	Standard	8	125 ft	Electric	-
031	Standard	8	61 ft	Electric	-
032	Standard	8	64 ft	Electric	-
033	Standard	8	60 ft	Electric	-
034	Standard	8	88 ft	Electric	-
035	Standard	8	60 ft	Electric	-
036	Standard	8	76 ft	Electric	-
037	Standard	8	65 ft	Electric	-
038	Standard	8	68 ft	Electric	-
039	Standard	16	73 ft	Electric	-
040	Standard	8	62 ft	Electric	-
041	Standard	8	63 ft	Electric	-
042	Standard	8	83 ft	Electric	-
043	Standard	8	85 ft	Electric	-
044	Standard	8	77 ft	Electric	-
045	Standard	8	83 ft	Electric	-
046	Standard	8	58 ft	Electric	-
047	Standard	8	77 ft	Electric	-
048	Standard	8	55 ft	Electric	Accessible
049	Standard	8	58 ft	Electric	-
050	Standard	8	110 ft	Electric	-
051	Standard	8	98 ft	Electric	-
052	Standard	8	123 ft	Electric	-
053	Standard	8	112 ft	Electric	-
054	Standard	8	76 ft	Electric	-
055	Standard	8	98 ft	Electric	-

Site	Type	Sleeps	Max RV	Hookups	Access
056	Standard	8	57 ft	Electric	-
057	Standard	8	127 ft	Electric	-
058	Standard	8	83 ft	Electric	-
059	Standard	8	52 ft	Electric	-
060	Standard	8	74 ft	Electric	-
061	Standard	8	111 ft	Electric	-
062	Standard	8	86 ft	Electric	-
063	Standard	8	63 ft	Electric	-
064	Standard	8	112 ft	Electric	-
065	Standard	8	108 ft	Electric	-
066	Standard	8	66 ft	Electric	-
067	Standard	8	71 ft	Electric	-
068	Standard	8	91 ft	Electric	-
069	Standard	8	67 ft	Electric	-
070	Standard	8	78 ft	Electric	-
071	Standard	8	71 ft	Electric	-
072	Standard	8	84 ft	Electric	-
073	Standard	8	62 ft	Electric	-
074	Standard	8	63 ft	Electric	-
075	Standard	8	51 ft	Electric, Water, Sewer	Accessible
076	Standard	8	60 ft	Electric, Water, Sewer	-
077	Standard	8	66 ft	Electric, Water, Sewer	-
078	Standard	8	65 ft	Electric, Water, Sewer	-
079	Standard	8	111 ft	Electric, Water, Sewer	-
080	Standard	8	103 ft	Electric, Water, Sewer	-
081	Standard	8	69 ft	Electric, Water, Sewer	-
082	Standard	8	126 ft	Electric, Water, Sewer	-
083	Standard	8	58 ft	Electric, Water, Sewer	-
084	Standard	8	136 ft	Electric, Water, Sewer	-
085	Standard	8	136 ft	Electric, Water, Sewer	-
086	Standard	8	67 ft	Electric, Water, Sewer	-
087	Standard	8	56 ft	Electric, Water, Sewer	-
088	Standard	8	90 ft	Electric, Water, Sewer	-
089	Standard	8	106 ft	Electric, Water, Sewer	-
090	Standard	8	55 ft	Electric, Water, Sewer	-
091	Standard	8	65 ft	Electric, Water, Sewer	-
092	Standard	8	58 ft	Electric, Water, Sewer	-
093	Standard	16	83 ft	Electric, Water, Sewer	-
094	Standard	8	56 ft	Electric, Water, Sewer	-
095	Standard	8	58 ft	Electric, Water, Sewer	-
096	Standard	8	75 ft	Electric, Water, Sewer	-
097	Standard	8	79 ft	Electric, Water, Sewer	-
102	Standard	8	71 ft	Electric	-
103	Standard	8	71 ft	Electric	-
104	Standard	8	62 ft	Electric	-
105	Standard	8	62 ft	Electric	-
106	Standard	8	62 ft	Electric	-
107	Standard	8	75 ft	Electric	-
108	Standard	8	71 ft	Electric	-
109	Standard	8	76 ft	Electric	-
110	Standard	8	78 ft	Electric	-
111	Standard	8	73 ft	Electric	-
112	Standard	8	70 ft	Electric	-
113	Standard	8	70 ft	Electric	-

About Dam West Campground

Overview

Dam West Campground is a recreation area situated on the southern 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 man-made lake.

Recreation

Dam West 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

Dam West Campground contains 109 reservable campsites. It provides modern amenities and access to a marina and boat storage facility. The adjacent Dam West Spillway and Dam West Day Use Area offer additional recreational opportunities. Visitors can also walk or bike across the dam to the Dam East facilities and McNair Group Area.

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 and 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 Dam West Campground

Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 29, 2026. Check Dam West Campground on Recreation.gov

Notices from Recreation.gov

All campsites are reservable.

No personal checks or cash 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 p.m. Check-in time is 5 p.m.

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.

Recreation.gov permit and campground cancellations →

Dam West Campground FAQ

How hard is it to get a campsite at Dam West Campground?

Dam West Campground is rated "Moderate to Book" based on historical demand. With 109 sites available, you have good chances of finding availability, especially on weekdays.

How do I find last-minute availability at Dam West Campground?

Cancellations happen frequently at Dam West 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 Dam West Campground have?

Dam West Campground has 109 campsites.

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