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This vast lake with an abundance of wind is prime real estate for sailing, fishing and birding.
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Adrian
November 2025
Tent
Such a beautiful place! Safe and secure! I enjoyed being welcomed by the sweetest dog, she lead me right where to set up for the night. Waking up on a beautiful piece of land with sheep, chickens, fluffy sweet doggo, it was such a fun and much needed experience. 10/10 highly recommend!!
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Brian
November 2025
Tent
It was private and easy. THere was plenty of room to park car and set up my tent.
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Samuel
October 2025
Tent
BEAUTIFUL property. Owner is super nice and they love sharing the property that they have built. 10/10 would recommend!
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Alana
October 2025
12 ft campervan
With kids
Camping at the farm was a truly cozy and welcoming experience. The site was easy to locate and simple to pull into, making arrival a breeze. Conveniently situated near the bathrooms and showers—which were impressively clean and well-maintained. The animals were very friendly, adding to the peaceful surroundings. We enjoyed the hiking trails, which were clearly marked and offered a great way to explore the property. The hosts were inviting. We'd be thrilled to return for another stay.
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Deena
October 2025
14 ft travel trailer
Beautiful setting. Easy to get there and pull up. Nice to see the animals. Quiet.
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Eric
October 2025
18 ft campervan
Beautiful setting and animal watching. Had a peaceful night under the stars.
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Elizabeth
October 2025
32 ft travel trailer
With kids
We loved our stay. The park was great with wonderful hosts!
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Jason
October 2025
Tent
Wonderful place! Very spacious and was exactly what we needed when we were in the area.
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Chris
October 2025
Tent
I enjoyed the secluded location and the quiet setting. I would stay again.
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Ellie
October 2025
Tent
With kids
We loved tent camping on Marcy’s land. The views were beautiful. My kids loved seeing the horses.
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Jenna
September 2025
Tent
With pets
Trent was an excellent communicator and host. This site is beautiful, safe, quiet, and convenient to 70. We will be back next year.
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Jacci
September 2025
23 ft toy hauler
Very quaint, quiet campsite! Terri and Daniel were terrific hosts. Their property was landscaped with a beach theme. So beautiful!
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Jenna
September 2025
Tent
We loved staying at the Positive Outlook site. It was beautiful and felt so welcoming with the lights and snacks. We plan to camp here again! Great communication from Trent.
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Peyton
August 2025
Tent
Truly such a wonderful experience! Mark and Kim were kind and accommodating. Their land is absolutely beautiful. They got a fire going for me and helped me bring all of my supplies to where I planned to camp. Got to go on the paddleboat, explore the grounds, stargaze. Perfect getaway!
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Jane
August 2025
15 ft pop-up camper
With pets
The site is pretty much what we expected as based on images from the website, but it was also much more. We had an unfortunate event or three prior to arriving, let the host know our pop up was not working properly but we had a tent. She was welcoming and friendly.
it is difficult to put into words the calm I felt sitting on the patio feeling the cool breeze off the pond and listening to the music of splashing water.
Another "wow" moment was the fact that the host had a family party on the private area across the pond and we really didn't hear much at all.
The bathroom/shower was clean and the water was hot.
the sites are new gravel, so keep toes and soles in mind. the play area and firepit seemed inviting. This place is highly recommended.
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Tracy
August 2025
19 ft pop-up camper
We had a great trip to Happy Trails Farm. It was perfect for us. We loved seeing all the animals and the people on the farm were very friendly. Thank you for a wonderful stay.
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Renée
August 2025
Tent
With pets
Brady’s place was just right for a one-night stopover on my cross-country trip! There is soft grass for pitching a tent, and a graveled area if you have a trailer. Brady provides a small picnic table, a cooking table, and several chairs, all under a spacious canopy for protection from rain (or hot sun!). There are also lights, an electric outlet, and a hose for fresh water. The outdoor shower is wonderful! There’s also a comfy swinging bench for watching the sun set over the small pond.
My only caveat is that the area is pretty close to the road, with no barrier. There wasn’t a lot of traffic and little to none at night (so noise wasn’t an issue), but you do have to keep an eye on kids or your dog so they don’t run into the road.
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Dustin
August 2025
Tent
With kids
We had a great time here! Lots of fish to catch, and great campsite. Hosts were friendly and accommodating. The sheep and goats were fun to watch and the 2 farm dogs loved spending time with us at the campsite. If you have dogs, I would make sure they are good around animals and other dogs before considering coming out. We didn’t bring our dogs and I’m glad. I don’t think they would have done well. There are canoe rentals, farm tours, fresh eggs and more. They also have special events at the farm that look like a blast!!
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Madeline
August 2025
22 ft Class B
With pets
We absolutely loved this spot and wish we could’ve stayed longer to enjoy this calm, quaint HipCamp! The hot shower was a huge bonus!
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Stacy
August 2025
40 ft toy hauler
With pets
We had a peaceful stay. Loved the convenience to the World Shooting Complex and nearby restaurants. Our son enjoyed fishing in the pond. Caught one bass, a couple turtles and had a catfish on, but he managed to get off the hook before getting it all the way in to bank. Everything was released back into the pond. We also visited the nearby Pyramid State Recreation Area where he caught a couple more bass. We will definitely keep this place in mind for the future.
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Stay at a public campground in Carlyle Lake
Top-rated campgrounds
The best camping in Carlyle Lake, IL guide
Overview
About
Test your sailing chops on the largest man-made lake in Illinois. This 26,000-acre reservoir largely located in Clinton County is recognized as one of the nation's top 10 inland sailing lakes. Carlyle hosts several annual races and regattas and was the site of the 1994 U.S. Olympic Festival. Or, you could just swim, fish, picnic, bird-watch or camp.
The massive lake allows for a multitude of water sports. Anglers find an abundance of white bass, bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass and walleye. Sandy beaches are made for decompressing and play host to an array of migratory waterfowl and other birds. The lake offers six established Watchable Wildlife Sites with viewing towers.
The southern and eastern shores boast multiple group and recreation areas. Carlyle Dam West Campground offers 109 campsites (65 reservable) for tents and RVs near the water. Enjoy modern amenities and an easy walk or bike across the dam to the Dam East facilities.
Notable campgrounds
- Coles Creek Campground: Nestled on the east side of Carlyle Lake, Coles Creek offers serene lakeside camping spots.
- Boulder Campground: Enjoy a mix of natural beauty and modern amenities at Boulder, ideal for family camping trips.
Tips for snagging a campsite
- Book early, especially for peak season weekends, to ensure your spot at Carlyle Lake's popular campgrounds.
- Consider mid-week camping when sites are less in demand for a quieter experience.
- Keep an eye on cancellations to snag a last-minute reservation at this sought-after destination.
- Explore nearby camping options to increase your chances of finding the perfect campsite.
When to go
The prime time to visit Carlyle Lake is between May and September when the weather is warm and all facilities are open. However, for those seeking tranquility, the off-peak seasons offer a peaceful retreat with fewer crowds. Winter months can be less ideal due to cold temperatures and limited services.
Know before you go
- Always practice water safety and be aware of weather conditions before venturing out on the lake.
- Some areas may experience seasonal closures; check the latest updates before your visit.
- Accessibility varies across different recreation areas, so plan according to your needs.
- Visitor Center hours are from 10am to 6pm, with varying schedules throughout the year.
- Remember to bring essentials for outdoor activities, as amenities may be limited in certain areas.
100%
1 ratings · 1 review
Recommends
· May 2017
Nice place to camp. Bathrooms and showers. Nice little beach area
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Angie A.
8 years on Hipcamp