Recreation area

Bay Creek Lake

Shawnee National Forest · Illinois — managed by USDA Forest Service

Open recreation area — no reservation needed

About this campground

Bay Creek Lake is located in Pope County and lies south of Jackson Falls Area.  Access is by gravel and dirt roads, but the road does become impassable and therefore portaging a canoe or kayak is necessary to reach this lake.  The clear clean waters of Bay Creek Spring that feeds the Lake make it worth the trip.

Activities

  • FISHING
  • HIKING

Explore more Illinois camping

Bay Creek Lake doesn't take campsite reservations — but plenty of nearby Illinois campgrounds do, and we'll alert you the moment a sold-out site opens up.

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Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.