Located near Golconda Illinois, Lake Glendale Recreation Area’s location makes it the perfect hub for visiting Shawnee National Forest attractions. You will be surrounded by tall pines and hardwoods; there is even an 80 acre lake with a beautiful beach and concessions.
Lake Glendale offers a wide range of recreational opportunities including hiking, camping, swimming, boating, fishing and bicycling.
It is surrounded by several worthy natural and cultural attractions including:
- Millstone Bluff Archaeological Site
- Bell Smith Springs Recreation Area
- Burden Falls
- Dixon Springs State Park
- River to River Trail
- Trigg Fire Tower
- Lusk and Bay Creek
- Burden Falls Wildernesses
General Amenities
Campground (electric & non-electric sites) with dump station, restroom with showers, drinking water, beach with bathhouse and concessions, children’s play equipment, lakeshore picnic areas with grills, Goose Bay picnic area with picnic shelter, boat launch, boating (electric motors only), hiking trails, paddleboat, canoe & rowboat rentals.
Camping
There are two camping areas. Duck Bay (Primitive Group Camping), and Oak and Pine Point Campgrounds which have 59 primitive campsites and 34 electric sites. Drinking water is available and all of the sites are wooded and have a rustic feel. The campground showers are fairly new and very nice. Ice and firewood is available for purchase onsite.
Most of the electric sites are rather small and close together, however a few may accommodate larger trailers and RV’s. Larger sites can be found in the non-electric area.
Oak Point Campground – Sgl.-$12/Sgl.Elec.$22 – Dbl $24/Dbl.Elec. $44. Fees Subject to Change
Picnicking
Pine Point Picnic Area has 20 picnic units
Duck Bay Group Camping has 9 picnic units and a shelter
Goose Bay Picnic Area has 16 picnic units and a shelter
Picnic areas are open 6am – 10pm.
Beach/Swimming/Paddle boats
Very nice well kept beach complete with concession area. Concessions available include burgers, fries, drinks, popcorn, snow cones, and cotton candy. Jon boats, paddle boats, kayaks and canoes are available for rent.
The beach area is open seven days a week (11 – 5:30) from Memorial Day to the second weekend in August. From mid-August to Labor Day the beach is open Saturday 11 – 5:30 and Sunday 12 – 5:30
Directions
From Harrisburg: Take Highway 145 south 26.5 miles. Turn left into the recreation area off of Hwy 145.
From Vienna (intersection I-24 & Hwy 146): Take Hwy 146 east 11 miles to Hwy 145. Go north on Hwy 145 2.2 miles and turn right into the recreation area.
From Metropolis (intersection I-24 & Hwy 145): Take Highway 145 north 18 miles and turn right into the recreation area.
Review
Lake Glendale is an “Oasis of Amenities” and worthy of a visit by itself. Add in all of the other attractions nearby and you will not be disappointed.
Be Warned, because of its location and amenities it is a very popular destination and is generally crowded on the weekends.