Clinton Lake State Recreation Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Clinton Lake State Recreation Area is a popular tourist destination located in DeWitt County, Illinois.
°F
°F
mph
Wind
%
Humidity
Summary
The area is a perfect spot for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. Visitors can enjoy camping, hiking, boating, fishing, and hunting.
One of the main attractions of the recreation area is the Clinton Lake Dam. The dam is over 11,000 feet long and holds back over 1,000,000 acre-feet of water. The dam's construction was completed in 1978, and it has become a well-known landmark in the region.
The area also features several hiking trails, including the Salt Creek Trail and the Eagle Creek Trail. Visitors can also explore the Clinton Lake State Park's natural habitats, which include forests, prairies, and wetlands. Wildlife such as white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and bald eagles can also be spotted in the park.
Clinton Lake State Recreation Area is also a popular spot for fishing enthusiasts. The lake is stocked with a variety of fish species, including largemouth bass, channel catfish, and crappie. Hunting is also allowed in the park, but visitors must follow specific guidelines and obtain a hunting permit.
The best time to visit Clinton Lake State Recreation Area is during the spring and fall months when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its peak. The park is open year-round, but some facilities may be closed during the off-season.
In conclusion, Clinton Lake State Recreation Area is an excellent destination for outdoor activities and nature lovers. Visitors can enjoy hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, and exploring the area's natural habitats. The Clinton Lake Dam, hiking trails, and abundant wildlife are some of the main attractions of the park.
Weather Forecast
Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Clinton Lake State Rec Area
|
||
Weldon Springs State Park
|
||
Friends Creek Regional Park
|
Weldon Springs State Recreation Area
Friends Creek County Park
Wapella Park