Cedar Lake, Illinois, USA

Cedar Lake is located at the edge of the Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois. This 1,750-acre reservoir was created by the City of Carbondale in 1974 by building a dam to impound Cedar Creek, a tributary of the Big Muddy River. Although the primary purpose of Cedar Lake is to provide water to the residents of Carbondale, this scenic reservoir provides recreational opportunities to visitors beyond…
Keep scrolling to read more.

Welcome to the ultimate guide to Cedar Lake! Article topics include:

Looking for Cedar Lake cabins or other accommodations? Save time and use this interactive map to find, compare and book at the best rates. Or explore more of our favorite travel partners.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click and purchase, we may earn a small referral fee at no extra cost to you. Read our full disclosure.

Explore Area Hotels

Nearby offer more hotel accommodations:

  • Check TripAdvisor
  • Check Expedia
  • Check Hotels.com
  • Check Booking.com

    • All About Cedar Lake, IL

    Lake Locations: USA - US Midwest Region - Illinois - Southern Illinois -

    Cedar Lake is located at the edge of the Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois. This 1,750-acre reservoir was created by the City of Carbondale in 1974 by building a dam to impound Cedar Creek, a tributary of the Big Muddy River. Although the primary purpose of Cedar Lake is to provide water to the residents of Carbondale, this scenic reservoir provides recreational opportunities to visitors beyond Jackson County. Because the Shawnee National Forest borders the southern portion of Cedar Lake, about half of its 30-mile shoreline is owned by the U.S. Forest Service. Hardwood forests, cedar trees, and sandstone bluffs line the shoreline.

    Cedar Lake is a popular destination for fishing, swimming, picnicking, hiking, and horseback riding. Paved roads and two boat launches offer easy access to this reservoir which has a 10 horsepower limit. Anglers reel in catches of largemouth bass, channel catfish, crappie, striped bass, and bluegill. The best fishing months for crappie and bass are March and April. Peak channel catfish months are June through August. Year-round striper fishing yields catches in excess of 20 pounds, due to a successful stocking program initiated in 1986.

    The City of Carbondale operates Poplar Camp Beach which features a sandy swimming beach with lifeguards, boat dock, picnic tables, concession stand, and restrooms. This family-oriented beach provides beautiful scenery and boasts a swim and play area, an area for rafts and floats, and a lap lane for serious swimmers. The beach closes each year after Labor Day.

    Although there are no developed camping sites at Cedar Lake, the Shawnee National Forest offers camping experiences ranging from primitive camping to modern campsites equipped with electric and showers. All campsites and picnic areas are on a first-come, first-serve basis with no reservations accepted. Developed campgrounds are usually open from April 1 through December 15.

    The Shawnee National Forest offers 300 miles of marked trails through the hills and valleys of the Shawnee Hills and the Illinois Ozarks. 30 miles are designated for hikers only, and each trail is rated for level of difficulty. Trails range from leisurely strolls to observation points to difficult hikes in excess of 9 miles. Horse riding enthusiasts will enjoy miles of equestrian trails.

    The Cedar Lake Trail System consists of four trails totaling about 14 miles: Little Cedar Lake Loop, Wolf Den Hollow Trail, Cove Hollow Trail, and River to River Trail (great equestrian trail). The Little Cedar Lake Loop and Wolf Den Hollow Trail are popular day hikes, featuring scenic overlooks, lake views, rock shelters, and rock walls. The Cove Hollow Trail meanders between the shoreline and cliffs, with plenty of opportunities to explore a stream, shelter cave, and rocks. Trails are open year-round, so winter hikes provide beautiful snow and ice covered landscapes. Hikers in search of wildlife may encounter white-tailed deer, raccoon, wild turkey, beaver, and many bird species from songbirds to raptors. Primitive camping is permitted at least 150 feet from the lakeshore

    Cedar Lake welcomes families and anglers with plenty of recreational offerings on the water and off the water in the Shawnee National Forest. Make sure to save some time to venture a few miles north to Carbondale for a tour of Southern Illinois University.

    Things to Do at Cedar Lake

    These are some activities in the Cedar Lake, IL area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Boating
    • Swimming
    • Beach
    • Camping
    • Campground
    • Picnicking
    • Hiking
    • Horseback Riding
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • Birding
    • National Forest

    What Kind of Fish Are in Cedar Lake?

    Cedar Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Black Bass
    • Bluegill
    • Catfish
    • Channel Catfish
    • Crappie
    • Largemouth Bass
    • Striped Bass
    • Sunfish
    divider

    Find Places to Stay at Cedar Lake

    If you’re considering a Cedar Lake lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

    Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

    More Sites to Book a Cedar Lake Vacation

    Our interactive Cedar Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

    Check TripAdvisor
    Check Expedia
    Find a Campspot
    All Travel Resources

    Cedar Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

    divider

    Lake Type: Artificial Reservoir, Dammed

    Water Level Control: City of Carbondale

    Surface Area: 1,750 acres

    Shoreline Length: 30 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 432 feet

    Average Depth: 14 feet

    Maximum Depth: 40 feet

    Water Volume: 25,000 acre-feet

    Drainage Area: 31 sq. miles

    Cedar Lake Map
    Local Weather Forecast

    More local lakes to explore in this area:

    LakeLubbers heart icon

    Little Grassy Lake, IL

    LakeLubbers heart icon

    Rend Lake, IL

    LakeLubbers heart icon

    Crab Orchard Lake, IL

    We strive to keep information on LakeLubbers as accurate as possible. If you’ve found something here that needs updating, please touch base by filling out our Content Correction form.

    Shop Cedar Lake Gifts

    Custom Lake Tumblers

    Create Your Own Captain / First Mate Custom 20oz Tumbler

    ORDER HERE
    Custom Lake T Shirt

    Create Your Personalized My Boat My Rules Unisex T-Shirt

    ORDER HERE
    Custom Lake Coffee Mug - On Lake Time

    Create a Custom Coffee Mug – 11oz or 15oz

    ORDER HERE
    VIEW ALL CUSTOM LAKE PRODUCTS

    More Cedar Lake news from LakeLubbers.com

    • Advertise your vacation rental property or local business: DETAILS HERE
    • The Cedar Lake forum has been discontinued: HERE’S WHY
    • New Cedar Lake photos coming soon!
    • You’re invited to join our lake-lovin’ community on Facebook and Instagram!
    • Share this Cedar Lake article with your fellow LakeLubbers: