Camp ObserverColes Creek Campground
Overview
Coles Creek 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 and a few miles from the town of Carlyle, the area offers the peaceful retreat of a small town combined with the grandeur of Illinois' largest man-made lake.
Recreation
Coles Creek 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 are multiple playgrounds on-site, as well as a swimming beach and an amphitheater for educational programs. A multi-use biking and walking trail is located a short drive away at the dam.
Facilities
Coles Creek Campground offers 119 campsites and two group camping areas. Each campsite comes eqipped with electric hookups and provides a picnic area with picnic table and fire pit. All sites are either directly on the shoreline or a short walk to the lake. Modern amenities like showers and flush toilets are provided. The campground is adjacent to the Coles Creek Day Use Area which features a reservable picnic shelter, as well as a designated swimming beach with its own shower facility.
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.
Contact Info
Between 05/02/2025 and 09/27/2025 this location is staffed. Please call (618) 228-2197 to speak with local staff. From 09/28/2025 to 05/01/2026 this location is unstaffed. Please call (618) 594-2484 for general information.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.
Camp site features
Across 145 camp sites:
- Electric hookups: all 145 sites
- Water hookups: 26 of 145 sites
- Sewer hookups: 26 of 145 sites
- Picnic table: all 145 sites
- Pets allowed: all 145 sites
- ADA accessible: 2 of 145 sites
- Longest rig: 115 ft
- Largest party: 16 people
- Power up to 50 amps
- Equipment: RV, Tent, Trailer
Directions
Stay Limit
Check in from 5 PM, check out by 4 PM.
Reviews
Moderate · 48%
Busiest in July, when about 48% of sites are booked. Based on 9 years of reservations.
