Nestled just northwest of Murphysboro lies Kinkaid Lake, Jackson County’s 2,750-acre marvel born in the late 1960s from the Crisenberry Dam on Kinkaid Creek. While its shimmering waters and sandstone bluffs invite anglers, boaters, and hikers all year round, the real hidden gem: the Kinkaid Spillway.
Originally purposed to supply fresh water to Jackson County communities after 1963’s referendum, Kinkaid Lake exceeded expectations, blending utility with leisure. Managed by the Lake Conservancy District, Illinois DNR, and U.S. Forest Service, the lake offers 92 miles of scenic shoreline, shaded by oak‑hickory woodlands and sandstone cliffs.
A short drive down Spillway Road brings you to an accessible parking lot equipped with picnic benches and restrooms. The beautiful view from the parking lot of the spillway waterfalls, allows for easy discovery of a trail up the cascading, multi-layer waterfalls. The bottom of the waterfalls eases into a deep, rocky-bottom swimming holem, the perfect place to splash, swim, hike, and even fish.
- Swimming: Famous as one of Southern Illinois’ top natural pools, the spillway’s pool deepens to around 12–15 ft in summer, though water clarity and levels shift with the seasons.
- Rock Scrambling: Thrilling multi-tier scrambles let adventurers climb alongside rushing water, up to the dam. Just watch your step. It’s easy to get carried off by slippery rocks.
- Fishing & Boating: Fish such as catfish, bass, walleye, and sunfish gather where lake overflow attracts bait and forage, kayakers also use this access point as a launchpad .
Kinkaid Lake’s creation in 1968 filled the winding valleys of Shawnee National Forest, forming a reservoir 80 ft deep at the dam. Sandstone bluffs flank the lake’s northwestern edge, geological sculptures echoing the region’s deep-time coastal past. The spillway was engineered to control lake overflow, and after DNR installed a fish barrier in 1998, fewer trophy fish escaped downstream. Stay lakeside and fish for muskie, walleye, catfish, or crappie, jack-of-all-trades anglers swear by Kinkaid’s varied shores.
| Time of Year | Activity Highlights |
|---|---|
| Spring | Loud, proud cascades; ideal for waterfall hiking |
| Summer | Leisure splash sessions, swimming recreation, boat access |
| Fall | Tranquil hikes amid golden woods, solitude at tiers |
| Winter | Icy flows with frost-touched scenery (watch for ice hazards) |
Kinkaid Lake and its spillway are more than just a scenic stop, they’re a living blend of history, engineering, and pure summertime joy. Whether it’s cooling off under a waterfall, trekking among sandstone ridges, or casting for muskie in deep lake waters, this Jackson County oasis offers an unforgettable escape.
Ready for some Southern Illinois magic? Pack your sense of adventure (and sunscreen) and let Kinkaid Lake’s rushing charm sweep you away.
