AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Spillway Recreation Area

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

3.1 mi · ▲ 58 ft · 1 hr 4 min

Carlyle Reservoir–Carlyle Lake Dam West Picnic Area & Beach, 3 beaches is a 3.1-mile out-and-back in Spillway Recreation Area near Carlyle, IL. The route passes Carlyle Reservoir and Carlyle Lake Dam West Picnic Area & Beach. It is mostly level, with 58 ft of elevation gain. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi436 – 476 ft3.4 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Carlyle Dam Road 38.61323, -89.34205
Nearest town Carlyle, IL
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

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

3.1 mi · ▲ 58 ft · 1 hr 4 min

Elevation 437–476 ft

Out & Back · Spillway Recreation Area

Trailhead: Carlyle Dam Road · 38.61323, -89.34205

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

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Carlyle Dam Road, heading NW.
  2. 50 ftPass Carlyle Reservoir.
  3. 0.7 miBear right, heading NW.
  4. 450 ftBear left, heading NW.
  5. 0.5 miPass Carlyle Lake Dam West Picnic Area & Beach.
  6. 50 ftTurn right, heading N.
  7. 0.1 miBear right, heading NE.
  8. 0.1 miTurn right, heading N.
  9. 0.1 miBear right, heading SE.
  10. 100 ftReach Carlyle Reservoir, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  11. 50 ftBear left, heading NW.
  12. 0.1 miTurn left, heading S.
  13. 0.1 miBear left, heading NW.
  14. 0.6 miBear left, heading SE.
  15. 450 ftBear right, heading SE.
  16. 0.7 miArrive back at the trailhead.

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

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/carlyle-reservoir-carlyle-lake-dam-west-picnic-area-beach-out-back-4-beaches-5-km

Weather

Sunrise 6:45 AMSunset 6:58 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.1 mi in (~2 min). Leave by 6:36 PM for the 6:58 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:14 PM — 10 min before dark. Car visible from the viewpoint

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Hikes near Carlyle, Illinois