Most of us love to find hidden gems, places that maybe only locals know about, and ones that aren’t overrun with tourists. Lake of Egypt in Southern Illinois is one of those little-known places where you can find seclusion and tranquility as you sit lakeside enjoying the beautiful surroundings. Come along as we check it out.

Lake of Egypt is a reservoir that covers an expanse of 2,300 acres.
The Resort at Egyptian Hills/Facebook
With 93 miles of shoreline and water depths that range from 18 feet to 52 feet, it is one of the most beautiful lakes in Illinois.
Southern Illinois Power Cooperative, or SIPC, developed Lake of Egypt in 1962 by damming the southern fork of the Saline River.
AnnaMA176/TripAdvisor
The purpose was for cooling water for the power plant. Although the company owns the lake and shoreline, it is open for public use.
What the SIPC created has become a popular place of enjoyment.
AnnaMA176/TripAdvisor
It is visited by many Illinois locals and families vacationing over the years.

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This lake is ideal for swimming, boating, fishing, and water sports like jet skiing, waterskiing, wakeboarding, and tubing.
The Resort at Egyptian Hills/Facebook
You can bring your own boat or rent a pontoon from The Resort at Egyptian Hills (one of the best resorts in Illinois), which has one of three marinas found here.
Although the lake may get a bit busy with boats out on the water on a hot summer day, there are many inlets to find some quiet.
steeleman204/Flickr
These inlets are also wonderful places to go fishing for catfish, bluegill, and other fish species.
Wildlife is abundant in many areas of the lake.
steeleman204/Flickr
You may be lucky enough to spot a heron and other beautiful birds along the shore.
As you plan your trip to Lake of Egypt, are you looking for a place to stay overnight? The family-friendly Resort at Egyptian Hills sits lakeside and offers cabins and chalets for rent.
The Resort at Egyptian Hills/Facebook
Each accommodation comes with a full kitchen, full bath, full bedroom, two loft bedrooms, and a large deck with lake views. Visit the Egyptian Hills Resort website to book your stay.

Have you ever visited the Lake of Egypt in Southern Illinois? If so, what was your favorite part? Are there other Illinois lakes that you love to visit? We’d love to read about your experiences in the comments section below!

If you are looking for other serene lakes in the Prairie State, how about making plans to visit Maple Lake or Lake Le-Aqua-Na?

If you’re still in the mood for more Illinois adventures, take a look at this video about the historic river town of Galena:

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More to Explore

More to Love About Illinois

Lysa Allman-Baldwin | June 19, 2023

Where can we find hidden gems in Illinois?

  • The Joliet Iron Works Historic Site in Joliet operated from 1869-1932 and was once the second-largest steel mill in the country.
  • Mississippi Palisades State Park in Savanna is steeped in Native American history and has numerous places where you can garner glimpses of the places where they once lived.
  • Giant Oak Park in Peoria is named after a 300-year-old giant burr oak tree whose circumference is 3 feet and its branches span outwards some 100 feet.

Read on to learn about some of the many other wonderful hidden gems in Illinois.

Where can we find scenic outlooks in Illinois?

  • The Garden of the Gods in Herod features dramatic bluffs formed approximately 300 million years ago.
  • Inspiration Point near Wolf Lake features awesome views of the Mississippi River and Big Muddy bottomlands.
  • Illinois Beach State Park in Zion features 6.5 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline.

Read on to learn about some of the many other scenic outlooks in Illinois.

Where can we find historic attractions in Illinois?

  • The Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site in Collinsville encompasses a series of mounds formed almost 1,000 years ago, representing where previous sophisticated civilizations built their homes.
  • The Dana-Thomas House State Historic Site in Springfield is an example of Frank Lloyd Wright's "Prairie Period" architecture.
  • The Sears, Roebuck and Company in Hoffman Estates was the headquarters and site of the main operations for Sears for 70 years.

Read on to learn about some of the many other fascinating historic attractions in Illinois.

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Featured Addresses
Lake of Egypt, Illinois, USA
75 Egyptian Pkwy, Creal Springs, IL 62922, USA