Lake of Egypt is a hidden gem nestled in Southern Illinois, just south of Marion.
Lake of Egypt Map - the lake's irregular shape reveals its origins as a dammed river amidst hilly terrain.
Here, you’ll find a secluded expanse of water spanning 93 miles of wooded bays and inlets. Locals have been coming here for lazy summer vacations, drawn by the serenity and long days of fishing, boating, and lakeside relaxation.
Location: Williamson and Johnson Counties, Little Egypt region, IllinoisCoordinates: 37°37′30″N 88°57′30″W
The lake got its name from the "Little Egypt" region of Southern Illinois. Lake of Egypt is located 10 miles south of Marion, Ill., just off of I-57 in Johnson and Williamson counties.
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The Southern Illinois Power Cooperative (SIPC) owns Lake of Egypt. The lake is owned by the Southern Illinois Power Cooperative (SIPC), who created the impoundment in 1962, by damming the South fork of the Saline River, to supply cooling water for a coal-burning electric power plant. They built the lake in 1962. They needed a lot of water to cool down their power plant, which uses coal to make electricity.
Lake of Egypt was created in 1962 when the Southern Illinois Power Cooperative dammed the south fork of the Saline River. It is called a reservoir because it was created by building a dam.
I found some big bass at the lake of Egypt!
Key Characteristics:
- Type: Reservoir
- Primary inflows: Saline River
- Primary outflows: Saline River
- Basin countries: United States
- Surface area: 2,300 acres (9 km²)
- Average depth: 18 ft (5.5 m)
- Max. depth: 52 feet (16 m)
This lake covers a big area, about 2,300 acres (9 km²). It also has a very long shoreline, stretching for 90 miles (145 km). The lake has an average depth of 18 feet (5.5 m) with a maximum depth of 52 feet (16 m) .
Since the lake is privately owned, it has its own set of rules. As a privately owned lake, it is subject to regulation by its owners and the state. These rules are made by SIPC and the state of Illinois. Terms of use from the SIPC are in the “Official Lake of Egypt Rules and Regulations”.
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People are allowed to visit the lake, and all sizes of boat motors can be used. Public access is allowed as are all size boat motors. Water skiing and jet skis are also permitted in most of the lake.
Lake of Egypt is a popular spot for many outdoor activities. Lake of Egypt is a great place to fish and boat.
Fishing:
The lake is home to many different kinds of fish. Fishing includes Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Striped Bass, and Crappie. Fishing is usually good for most species in the lake. Healthy populations of bass, bluegill and crappie reside here.
When you think about going crappie fishing, you first consider which lake is best. Winter, spring, summer or fall, this downstate lake produces more big slab crappies on a regular basis than any other lake that I know. I am particularly fond of Egypt because it is regulated with the fisherman in mind. Water skiers and jet skiers, which in the warmer months can become a nuisance to fishermen, have designated areas to romp and play in areas nowhere near some of the prime fishing spots.
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All fish species here tend to stay close by their food source. The water in your backyard is filled with Crappie, Large and Small Mouth Bass, and every fish in between.
Fishing License Requirements: Illinois residents and non-residents ages 16 & up are required to purchase an Illinois Fishing License.
Boating:
You can bring your boat to Lake of Egypt. All sizes of boat motors are allowed on the water. Several boat launch ramps are open to pleasure and fishing boats.
I found some big bass at the lake of Egypt!
The speed limit on the water is 35mph, and skiing can only be done in the designated ski area. Jet Skis are allowed on the lake, but not after dusk. Pontoon boats are restricted to 28ft or less, and hull boats are restricted to 20ft or less. There is no engine or horsepower restriction on the lake. If you do bring your own boat, we ask that you notify us prior to your stay to and bring the proper mooring and anchoring gear for your boat.
Three locations on the lake offer Pontoon boat rentals for those that want to have a fun day on the lake and don’t have their own boat. It’s a great way to see some great lake views, float, and even have a picnic on some of the lake’s hottest spots!
Other Activities:
Besides time on the lake, a vacation at Egyptian Hills Resort can involve a lot more than just activities on the lake. The Resort is located not just on the shores of the beautiful Lake of Egypt, but also within the Shawnee National Forest.
Tunnel Hill State Trail is an incredible trail that was once the site of a railroad. Today, bikers can explore the 45 miles of trail, starting at Tunnel Hill station-the most scenic part of the trail that just happens to be only minutes from the resort. From green meadows to rocky bluffs, high trestles to long tunnels, dense forests to open rivers, Tunnel Hill Trail is the perfect way to get in some exercise while experiencing the gorgeous Illinois landscape.
Tunnel Hill State Trail
For those looking to see the outdoors at a slower pace, the hiking trails surrounding Egyptian Hills Resort are unbeatable. Depending on the trail(s) you choose to hike, you can see everything from canyons, wildflower meadows, and waterfalls to incredible prehistoric petroglyphs, huge rock formations, and marshes teeming with wildlife. Hiking means you can explore these amazing sites up close and at your own pace.
What could be more of an adventure than scaling the sheer rock walls of Draper’s Bluff? The Resort has partnered with Eric and Kathy Ulner, the owners of Draper’s Bluff who have also been avid professional climbers for decades, to assist our residents in receiving top-notch climbing instruction. Draper’s Bluff is the most magnificent location for rock climbing in Southern Illinois, and it features several different climbs that range in difficulty from novice to advanced.
There’s no better way to experience nature than to go horseback riding through the rolling hills of the Shawnee National Forest. This is the perfect option for those who want to see the incredible scenery in a less physically demanding way.
For our residents who are adventurers and thrill seekers, zip lining is the perfect activity. You can see miles of sprawling Illinois country from dizzying heights, giving you an adrenaline rush and an experience you won’t regret. Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour has 8 huge zip lines, 11 platforms, 3 aerial suspension bridges, and 2 ground hikes. The tree-based zip lines of the Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour are eco-friendly and environmentally conscious. The series of zip lines zig-zag throughout the forest so you can view everything-waterfalls, canyons, rivers, and more-from high above.
Finally, Egyptian Hills Resort is proud to offer our new Water Fun Lagoon-a wonderfully entertaining area on the lake that’s fun for all ages. We currently have a swim platform, a water trampoline, an iceberg climbing wall, a water rocker, and a water slide. Besides that, we also have kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, and snorkels available. A shaded dock area is just next to the lagoon, as well as food and refreshments.
If you want to stay overnight, you can go Camping at Buck Ridge Campground, part of the Shawnee National Forest.
There are three marinas around Lake of Egypt. Marinas are places where you can dock your boat, get supplies, or rent equipment.
The marinas across the lake offer fun nights out during the summer with live music, cover bands, karaoke and movies! Just Add Water also has some amazing music right off of the lake. Some nights, the marinas offer live music with cover bands that you can drive your boat up and listen from the comfort of your own vessel. Bands in the past have covered Led Zeplin, Journey and many more! Other nights, the bars at the marina have karaoke and open mic nights to really have fun at! Stay for one song, sing to another, or just sit back and watch the local residents show off their singing skills.
Movie nights are fun for the whole family with a different selection each year! Drive the boat up close to watch the feature film for that evening, most recently is was JAWS.Movie night happens only occasionally, so make sure to call prior to your stay to see if this adventure is available and to find out what movie is showing!
General Note: The bars and venues that host the live music and karaoke nights do not allow underage guests into the bar.
Lake of Egypt was the best spot to view the Solar Eclipse in 2016, and will be again in 2024. The stars practically sit right above the lake on a clear summer’s night. Look closely and you can see some neighboring planets, and on a supper clear night you an even make out the Milky Way!
Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for a shooting star or two, so watch for them! A meteor shower is a celestial event in which a number of meteors are observed to radiate, or originate, from one point in the night sky called Radiant. These meteors are caused by streams of cosmic debris called meteoroids entering Earth’s atmosphere at extremely high speeds on parallel trajectories.
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