Coles Creek Campground
Carlyle Lake — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: CARLYLE, IL, IL
Price: From $20 per night
Price range: $20–$250 per night
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (415 reviews)
Season: Year-round
Coles Creek Campground is situated on the eastern shore of Carlyle Lake, a prime getaway for city-dwellers and families. 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. Coles Creek Campground provides fun both on the water and on shore.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: AT&T. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets, Showers, Electric Hookups, Camp Host, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/coles-creek-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Located on Illinois' largest man-made lake 50 miles east of St. Louis, Coles Creek offers spacious RV sites with beautiful sunset views and water access. Campers consistently praise the huge lots, clean facilities with free showers, and peaceful lakeside setting (4.7/5 from 206 reviews).
Wildlife alert: White-tailed Deer, Great Egret, Wild Turkey, Tree Swallow, Tufted Titmouse, Eastern Massasauga, and Eastern Garter Snake present in the area.
Insider tips for Coles Creek Campground: Book early — this is a popular federal campground with high demand. Request a site on the lake for sunset views and water access. Only electric hookups available on select sites; no water/sewer at most sites. Rocky shore access available for fishing from shore at certain locations.
Skip Coles Creek Campground if: You need full hookups — only electric hookups on select sites; no water or sewer available.. You prefer guaranteed year-round operations — seasonal variations apply..
Best time to visit Coles Creek Campground: Year-round — Campground operates year-round, though seasonal operations noted in known issues suggest availability may vary by season..
Nearby campgrounds: Coles Creek Day Use (CARLYLE, IL), Lotus Group Area (CARLYLE, IL), Boulder Campground (CARLYLE, IL), Boulder Day Use (CARLYLE, IL).
Cell Phone Coverage at Coles Creek Campground
Cell signal at Coles Creek Campground (CARLYLE, IL): moderate overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: AT&T.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage · AT&T 5G: 100%
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Coles Creek Campground is situated on the eastern shore of Carlyle Lake, a prime getaway for city-dwellers and families. 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. Coles Creek Campground provides fun both on the water and on shore.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a popular federal campground with high demand.
Request a site on the lake for sunset views and water access.
Only electric hookups available on select sites; no water/sewer at most sites.
Rocky shore access available for fishing from shore at certain locations.
Campground operates year-round, though seasonal operations noted in known issues suggest availability may vary by season.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: AT&T.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From I-57, take Old U.S. Route 50 west for 19 miles through Salem, Odin and Sandoval. Turn north on Boulder Road and continue for 4 miles, then turn onto 1700 and continue until the road connects with 2400. Continue south to the Coles Creek entrance. Address: 16225 Coles Creek RD, Carlyle, IL 62231
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Carlyle Lake fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Carlyle Lake before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Coles Creek Campground cost per night?+
What season is Coles Creek Campground open?+
Does Coles Creek Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Coles Creek Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Coles Creek Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Coles Creek Campground?+
What season is Coles Creek Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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