Carlyle Lake — Attraction in Carlyle

Me and my wife made several trips to Lake Carlye last summer. A caution for new visitors with smaller boats. This lake can get very rough. On the good side there are a lot of great swimming holes. Fishing for us was slow at best. Not knowing the lake is a big disadantage. Loading and unloading your boat on a busy day if you are by yourself can be very challenging. The launches are very busy. You will be required to pay if you do not have an annual pass at certain launches. Enjoy this beutiful lake. Plan your visit before going and you will save driving around looking for...

The paved walking path that goes by the dam is so really great, but I just discovered the little trail that goes to where the campers park and around in the woods. It's perfect for dogs who need a little more than a sidewalk stroll. Also love that they supply dog waste bags at the start of the paved walkway. I dropped my dog's leash, and she did a little freedom run, and the employees around were really nice about it and even tried to help me catch her. The little sandy beach is nice, if you like having sand in your hair and ears and shoes for the next five...

Love this place. We usually go twice a year. The park is big with a number of picnic tables, but it does get busy on holiday weekends so bring blankets for a picnic just in case all tables are full. They have a marina, a restaurant, a hotel, and campsites around the lake, and it's right outside Carlyle IL so if you forget anything or prefer not to pack a picnic, there's a grocery and a couple restaurants in town too. There is a nice sand beach close to the marina, and they don't allow glass on the beach either, so you can go barefoot...