The Lake

The Lake: crowds and conditions

Typical pattern: usually quiet; mostly local visitors. Been there recently? Post today’s status and it shows here for the next traveller.

Status options for this lake: Full / gates open · Low water level · Entry closed.

Best time to visit The Lake

Season: August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open.

Crowd: Usually quiet; mostly local visitors.

Typical week: Mon quiet · Tue quiet · Wed quiet · Thu quiet · Fri light · Sat light · Sun light.

How to reach The Lake — distance from nearby cities

Coordinates: 38.19652, -89.59658. Road distances are estimates; the road-trip planner uses real routes and adds stops worth the detour.

Places to visit near The Lake

• Pyramid State Recreation Area · sanctuary · Perry · ~28 km · Must-see
• Baldwin Lake · lake · Randolph · ~30 km · Must-see
• Kaskaskia River State Fish and Wildlife Area · sanctuary · Randolph · ~31 km · Must-see
• Randolph County State Recreation Area · sanctuary · Randolph · ~34 km · Must-see
• Piney Creek Ravine Nature Preserve · sanctuary · Randolph · ~42 km · Must-see
• Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site · fort · Randolph · ~47 km · Must-see
• Modoc Rock Shelter National Historic Site · fort · Randolph · ~54 km · Must-see
• Kinkaid Lake · lake · Jackson · ~55 km · Must-see
• Illinois Caverns State Natural Area · sanctuary · Monroe · ~59 km · Must-see
• Lebanon Temple Church · church · Saint Clair · ~60 km · Must-see
• Lake Murphysboro State Park · lake · Jackson · ~62 km · Must-see
• Fort De Chartres State Park · fort · Randolph · ~63 km · Must-see
• Kidd Lake State Natural Area · lake · Monroe · ~64 km · Must-see
• Staples Hollow · viewpoint · Randolph · ~65 km · Must-see
• South Shore State Park · sanctuary · Clinton · ~67 km · Must-see
• Snell Hollow · viewpoint · Randolph · ~68 km · Must-see
• Saltpeter Cave · viewpoint · Monroe · ~68 km · Must-see
• Rend Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area · lake · Jefferson · ~68 km · Must-see

See everything within a day’s drive of The Lake

Other lakes, dams & reservoirs near The Lake

• Baldwin Lake · lake · Randolph · ~30 km · Must-see
• Kinkaid Lake · lake · Jackson · ~55 km · Must-see
• Lake Murphysboro State Park · lake · Jackson · ~62 km · Must-see
• Kidd Lake State Natural Area · lake · Monroe · ~64 km · Must-see
• Rend Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area · lake · Jefferson · ~68 km · Must-see
• Rend Lake · lake · Crittenden · ~70 km · Must-see
• Rend Lake · lake · Franklin · ~72 km · Must-see
• Raccoon Lake Dam · lake · Marion · ~72 km · Must-see
• Chautauqua Lake · lake · Jackson · ~73 km · Must-see
• Carlyle Reservoir · lake · Clinton · ~78 km · Must-see

All lakes, dams & reservoirs in Illinois

Frequently asked