Information
Landmark: Cedar LakeCity: Carbondale
Country: USA Illinois
Continent: North America
Cedar Lake, Carbondale, USA Illinois, North America
Overview
About five miles southwest of Carbondale in Jackson County, Cedar Lake offers both natural beauty and plenty of room for fishing or paddling under the sun.Cedar Lake spans about 1,750 acres, a man-made reservoir formed in 1974 when a dam blocked Cedar Creek, a winding tributary of the Big Muddy River.The lake provides Carbondale and nearby towns with their main source of water, yet it’s also a place where people fish off the pier, paddle through quiet coves, and enjoy its natural beauty.Cedar Lake was built to meet Carbondale’s growing demand for water, delivering a steady supply that’s clear enough to catch the sunlight in a glass.The lake, with its quiet ripples and shady banks, now serves not just a practical purpose but a treasured spot for hiking, birdwatching, and learning about the natural world.Poplar Camp Beach, with its wide stretch of sand, is one of Cedar Lake’s main public access spots, and the City of Carbondale keeps it running.This beach welcomes families and has a roped-off swimming spot where lifeguards keep watch through the summer.You’ll find a sandy beach perfect for swimming, picnic tables tucked into shady spots, clean restrooms, and a snack stand with cold drinks and chips.Swimming areas are marked for laps, open water, and spots for rafts or floats, and the beach opens only in the warm months so visitors can enjoy the water in a safe, managed setting.At Cedar Lake, you can take a boat out, but motors can’t exceed 10 horsepower, keeping the water calm enough to hear oars dip and splash.Boaters can glide across the lake’s smooth, glassy surface, casting a line for fish or just soaking in the quiet beauty of the surrounding trees.Cedar Lake draws plenty of anglers chasing largemouth and striped bass, crappie, channel catfish, and bluegill, their lines flicking out over the rippling water; careful management keeps these fish thriving and the experience worth coming back for.The Cedar Lake Trail System winds through forest and lakeshore, offering hikers four main routes that add up to roughly 14 miles.One favorite, the Little Cedar Lake Loop, rewards you with sweeping views of the water and the pines swaying along its edge.Wolf Den Hollow Trail winds past cool rock shelters and opens onto a mix of wild, ever-changing landscapes.Cove Hollow Trail twists along the shoreline, leading hikers past cool streams, shadowy caves, and a patchwork of rocky and forested ground.The River to River Trail winds along the lake’s southern edge, linking hikers to the larger regional network and opening the way to wide-open, sunlit adventures beyond.You can explore these trails any time of year, spotting deer in the brush, snapping photos, or simply enjoying a quiet walk through the trees.Cedar Lake doesn’t have its own campgrounds, but just up the road, the Shawnee National Forest offers primitive spots where you can pitch a tent among tall pines and quiet trails.You can camp in designated spots for as long as two weeks, as long as your tent’s pitched at least 150 feet from any trail, lake, or stream.It protects the land’s wild character and keeps the experience as untouched as the scent of pine in the morning air.You can hunt in certain parts of the Cedar Lake area, especially up north where the City of Carbondale manages the land, past the pines that line the shore.You can hunt white-tailed deer with a bow during set seasons, following strict rules designed to keep people safe, protect the herd, and preserve the quiet thrill of the sport.Cedar Lake sits ringed by mixed hardwood forests, the kind you find throughout the Shawnee Hills, where deer slip quietly between trees, wild turkeys rustle through fallen leaves, and countless birds share the canopy with squirrels and other small creatures.The lake teems with life, its clear water sheltering darting fish and quiet, watchful frogs.With its rolling green trails, tidy picnic spots, and striking natural scenery, Cedar Lake draws both locals and visitors eager to soak up Southern Illinois’ outdoor heritage.Cedar Lake sits just southwest of Carbondale, with U. S. Highway 51 making it an easy drive-ten minutes past the rows of tall, rustling corn.At the northern end, you’ll find city-run boat docks, a few parking lots, and the sandy beach where gulls wheel over the water.At its southern tip, the trail slips into Shawnee National Forest, where rocky paths and wild, untamed scenery make for rugged adventures.You’ll find plenty of parking near Poplar Camp Beach, right by the boat launches where the gravel crunches under your tires.Lifeguards keep watch along the beach during swimming season, their whistles sharp in the salt air, while boating rules make sure everyone stays safe on the water.If you need details about Poplar Camp Beach or other spots run by the city, call the City of Carbondale at (618) 457‑3200.If you need information on hiking trails, campgrounds, or the pine-covered stretches of the Shawnee National Forest, call their office at (618) 833-8576.Cedar Lake isn’t just a source of drinking water for the city-it’s also a place where people fish off the docks, paddle kayaks, and spend lazy afternoons by the shore.With kayaking on calm waters, winding hiking trails, wildlife-rich habitats, and plenty of spots for families to gather, it’s a favorite getaway for both locals and outdoor lovers across Southern Illinois.
