Lake Glendale

Lake Glendale

     Lake Glendale is a fantastic family getaway spot in the Shawnee National Forest. Of course, it doesn’t have to involve your family if you happen to be someone who doesn’t like having irritating people around. But, it is a place the whole family could enjoy if they chose.

    

      There’s fishing on the lake in boats of all kinds from kayaks, to canoes, to row boats, to boats with up to 10 horse motors. There’s camping, both primitive and RV. There are also picnic areas with large beautiful shelters.

     

      The lake has a rather large beach and hiking trail that goes around the lake. It is a gravel trail mostly with several bridges over creeks, and low areas. The trail is well used and goes through several camp areas. It is used by hikers and cyclists, with several trails that lead away from the main trail.

      

     The lake was created by damming a creek sometime in the 1930’s, and has a well made concrete spillway, and retaining wall for the creek in the woods. I went and explored this area below the spillway, remembering my childhood days,  fishing below the spillway at the Du Quoin City Lake.

      

     Camping costs $12-$44 depending on whether you want electricity or not. The Beach is $5 for adults and kids are $3. There’s boat rentals, $3 for paddle boat, $5 for kayaks and canoes.

     

      These fees are pretty cheap. I cannot promise how up to date they are. A lot of places nowadays will claim to rent boats, but quit doing it because of insurance. I did not see boats for rent when I was there. But, it was before Memorial Day, and early morning, so it wasn’t open for business. But, the beach looked great.

     

      Lake Glendale looked wonderful and I enjoyed the hike. I plan to go back and camp.