Spillway Recreation Area

Carlyle Reservoir–Carlyle Lake Dam West Picnic Area & Beach, 3 beaches

1.4 mi · ▲ 36 ft · 29 min

Carlyle Reservoir–Carlyle Lake Dam West Picnic Area & Beach, 3 beaches is a 1.4-mile out-and-back in Spillway Recreation Area near Carlyle, IL. The route passes Carlyle Reservoir before reaching Carlyle Lake Dam West Picnic Area & Beach at the turnaround, 0.5 miles in. It is mostly level, with 36 ft of elevation gain. It scores 1/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi423 – 476 ft1.8 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 38.61813, -89.35526
Nearest town Carlyle, IL

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Carlyle Reservoir–Carlyle Lake Dam West Picnic Area & Beach, 3 beaches

1.4 mi · ▲ 36 ft · 29 min

Elevation 424–475 ft

Out & Back · Spillway Recreation Area

Trailhead: 38.61813, -89.35526

Weather Sep 21: sunrise 6:45 AM · sunset 6:58 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading E.
  2. 150 ftPass Carlyle Reservoir.
  3. 200 ftTurn left, heading NE.
  4. 50 ftBear right onto Carlyle Dam Road, heading N.
  5. 0.4 miPass Carlyle Lake Dam West Picnic Area & Beach.
  6. 50 ftTurn right, heading NW.
  7. 250 ftTurn right, heading N.
  8. 50 ftBear right, heading N.
  9. 50 ftSharp left, heading N.
  10. 350 ftBear right, heading E.
  11. 50 ftTurn left, heading E.
  12. 100 ftReach Carlyle Reservoir, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  13. 100 ftTurn right, heading NE.
  14. 50 ftBear left, heading N.
  15. 350 ftSharp right, heading NE.
  16. 50 ftBear left, heading NE.
  17. 50 ftTurn left, heading N.
  18. 0.5 miBear left, heading SE.
  19. 50 ftTurn right, heading SE.
  20. 300 ftArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Weather

Sunrise 6:45 AMSunset 6:58 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.3 mi in (~6 min). Leave by 6:32 PM for the 6:58 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:19 PM — 5 min before dark. Car visible from the viewpoint

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead