Beaver Dam State Park

About Beaver Dam State Park

Beaver Dam State Park is located in Beaver County, New York, north of the city of Beaver Dam.

Covering 750 hectares, it offers a variety of leisure activities, including fishing, picnics, hiking and camping.

The park is named after the beaver dam that created its lake, although beavers have practically disappeared from the area. The park's large lake with its many lakes and streams provides habitat for many animal species, and quiet walkers can observe a variety of birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, birds of prey and other wildlife.

The park is also home to snakes, frogs and insects, and songbird species that enrich the natural environment. White squirrels, which are not albinos but white - phase-gray - squirrels, are seen within the park borders at regular intervals.

Frequently spotted woodpeckers and seasonal waterfowl and waterfowl are also seen, such as the blue-winged and black-legged waterfowl that hibernate in the park and in spring and summer in other parts of the state.

When the Beaver Dam Lake Club was founded in the early 1890s by 18 men from the Carlinville area, it became a famous fishing spot. The association organized summer and autumn picnics on the lake for several years, and families enjoyed fishing and boating throughout the season. In 1891,
$2,500 was spent to build a dam at the end of the lake and to double the depth of the water.

The hotel was closed and the area was then transferred to the Sarah Rhodes Hotel, which was run by Sarah and Rhodes at the time. A train station, known as Macoupin Station, was located about 1.5 km northeast of the hotel. Large horse-drawn carriages stopped here to transport guests to and from hotels, but with the advent of the automobile, the transit business disappeared.

In 1947, 425 hectares were embedded in Beaver Dam State Park, one of the largest national parks in the United States. Additional land purchases increased the park to a total of 751 hectares by the end of World War II, and more than 1,000 hectares of new land were added.

The concession stands on the lake are open all year round, from April to mid-October, but in summer only a limited number of food and drinks such as beer and wine are available.

In the middle of the caravan campsites is a shower building with toilet that flushes, and the trailer campsite has electricity on a subsoil at the sanitary landfill.

There is no water connection in this location, but water is available in the area and available at the landfill at a price of $1 per gallon.

Tent camping is in a separate area, with nearby rest rooms and water, and tent camping has a price of $1 per person per day or $5 per night for a two night stay. If a group of young people is planning to use this site, please contact the Building and Construction Authority on 854-8020 to make a reservation for the group campsite. This campsite is the first to be served with a minimum of two tents and a maximum of four tents per group and location.

The tents are set in a wooded area with large oaks and hickory trees that provide shade all day and are shaded by the sun.

A large part of the park is available for picnics, but the campsite must be served first and there is no shower next to the house. The park does not rent tents and the Rent-A-Hut is only bookable and can be reserved at the park office.

Picnic tables and barbecues are available, but picnickers can bring their own barbecues or picnics at the park office free of charge.

Four gazebos are located near the picnic area and can be reserved. Please contact the website for a reservation form. In the park there are about 8 km of hiking trails and on the picnic area there are playground equipment. The paths circle the lake, pass the moors, through various woodlands in the parks and past the office of the Beaver Dam in State Park.

The archery range, which can be used free of charge, is surrounded by a concession. Archers must bring their own bow and arrow, broad-head points are not allowed and archers under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Sufficient snow cover allows cross-country skiing and tobogganing, and ice fishing and skating are allowed under suitable conditions.

Take 108 from West Carlinville Amtrak Station and travel 11 miles west to Carlinsville, or take 108 to St. Louis and then a short ride to Beaver Dam.

Drive 7 miles to Beaver Dam and follow Carlinville Road on the west side of Shipman Road, turn left south and follow this for 7 miles to Beaver Dam.