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Lake Glendale Recreation Area

If you are looking for a place in the center of the Shawnee National Forest, then Lake Glendale Recreation Area is for you. Its central location makes it easy to visit main attractions on either side of the forest or any place in-between. Surrounded by tall pine trees and mixed hardwood forests, Lake Glendale Recreation Area offers a wide range of recreation opportunities including hiking, camping, swimming, boating, fishing and bicycling. The accessible picnic area has a large picnic shelter near the lake with party grills for group gatherings.

General Information

Maps and Guides

Camping

Oak Point Campground sits along the lakeshore, making it one of the most popular places to camp in Shawnee National Forest. There are 35 electric/water sites and 24 non-electric. Many of them accommodate up to a 40-foot trailer. No reservations. Campsites are first-come, first-serve. A campground concessionaire is on-site. Each campsite has a table, fire ring, centralized shower houses and water spigots in non-electric loops.

Day-use Activities

The 82-acre lake offers good fishing opportunities for bass, bluegill, channel catfish, crappie and sunfish. The picnic areas feature flush toilets and large open areas for games or group gatherings. There are plenty of interesting places just a short drive from the recreation area. Take a leisurely hike around the lake on the Lake Glendale Trail (3 miles).

Fishing Regulations:
2 pole & line fishing only
Lg./Smallmouth bass or spotted bass -15” min. Bass daily limit = 6
Channel Catfish – Daily limit = 6
Electric motors only
For site specific regulations or to obtain a fishing license go to Illinois fishing regulations.

Other Attractions

Millstone Bluff Archaeological Site, Bell Smith Springs Recreation Area, Burden Falls, Dixon Springs State Park, River to River Trail, Trigg Fire Tower and Lusk Creek, Bay Creek and Burden Falls Wildernesses.

Lake Glendale Oak Point Campground and Picnic Areas: Open year round
Lake Glendale Beach:
Open Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend; Monday-Saturday 11am to 5:30pm and Sunday 12pm to 6pm.
After August 1 beach is only open on Saturday and Sunday and closes for the season after Labor Day.
Lake Glendale Trails and Boat Launch: Open year round

Picnic areas are open 6am – 10pm
Beach Open: Monday - Saturday 11am to 5:30pm and Sunday 12pm to 6pm
Swimming allowed at beach only.
Pets must be leashed, and are not allowed on the beach or in the designated swim area.
Pack It In, Pack It Out, along trails.
Stay on the designated trails.
Camp only at designated sites.
A complete list of site regulations is posted on bulletin boards and at fee stations.

Oak Point Campground:
Single campsite=$15 Single eclectic campsite=$25
Double campsite=$28 Double eclectic campsite=$48

Swimming Beach Area:

Ages 6 and up=$5.00; Ages 1-5yrs.=$3.00; Under 1 year old are free. Fees Subject to Change. Payment cash or check only.

Getting There

Directions

From Harrisburg: Take Highway 145 south 26.5 miles. Turn left into the recreation area off of Hwy 145.

From Vienna: (intersection I-24 and Hwy 146): Take Hwy 146 east 11 miles to Hwy 145. Go north on Hwy 145 for 2.2 miles and turn right into the recreation area.

From Metropolis: (intersection I-24 and Hwy 145): Take Highway 145 north 18 miles and turn right into the recreation area.