Looking for a Spring getaway? Try Beaver Dam State Park

Located in Macoupin County 7 miles southwest of Carlinville and situated in an oak/hickory woodland, Beaver Dam State Park offers a variety of recreational opportunities on its 750 acres. Fishing, picnicking, hiking, and tent and trailer camping are among the most popular activities. Although beaver are virtually gone from this area, the park is named for a beaver dam that created its lake. 

The lake at Beaver Dam State Park became a well-known fishing spot in the early 1890s, when 18 men from the Carlinville area formed a Beaver Dam Lake Club. They spent $2,500 to build a dam at each end of the lake and double the water depth. For several years, the club held summer and fall picnics at the lake. Their families enjoyed fishing and boating throughout the season. The area then became the property of the family of Mrs. Sarah Rhodes, who for some time operated a small hotel which stood on the site of the present ranger residence. One mile northeast of the hotel, there was a cluster of houses and a railroad stop known as ‘Macoupin Station’ where train passengers were met by a large horse-drawn coach which took guests to the hotel. With the advent of the automobile, however, this transit business disappeared, and the hotel was closed. The initial land acquisition for Beaver Dam State Park was 425 acres in 1947. Additional land purchases have increased the park to a total of 751 acres.

The state park is a great destination for fishing. The 59-acre lake, which has a maximum depth of 10 feet and 1.7 miles of shoreline. Over the years, the lake has been stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill, sunfish, and channel catfish. A free boat launch and docks are available for public use. No gasoline engines are allowed, only electric trolling motors.

The Beaver Dam State Park trailer camping area has electricity at each pad and a sanitary dump station. A shower building with flush toilets is in the center of the trailer camping area. Water is available, but individual sites do not have water hookups. There are 40 reservable campsites; all others are first come-first served. Tent camping is in a separate area, with nearby restrooms and water. A designated area for youth-group camping, such as Boy or Girl Scouts, features rest rooms, water, fire pads and picnic tables.

Information provided by Illinois Department of Natural Resources.