Poplar Camp Beach Opening Friday, May 22

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Date/Time
Date(s) - 05/22/2026 - 09/05/2026
12:00 am

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CARBONDALE – Poplar Camp Beach is officially opening for the season the Friday leading into Memorial
Day weekend, May 22, 2026, and will be open all summer through Labor Day weekend. Operating hours are 11
AM- 7 PM daily.
Located a few miles South of Carbondale, Poplar Camp Beach provides a spot for family and friends to gather
on the sand and enjoy swimming in Cedar Lake- this is the only section of Cedar Lake where swimming is
permitted. Poplar Camp Beach is a swim at your own risk facility. Lifeguards will not always be on duty- if you
or your group requires a lifeguard to be on duty during your visit, please call 618-549-8441 for up-to-date
staffing information.
Restrooms, picnic tables, and concessions are available Guests are free to bring their own food and beverages no glass bottles and no alcohol permitted.
We encourage all visitors to please review the rest of our beach rules here.
Daily Rates:
$2.50/per person,
$20/10 visit passes
$35/20 visit passes
FREE for individuals four and under
We are eager to have our community and visitors enjoy some fun in the sun this summer at Poplar Camp Beach!

Poplar Camp Beach Rules
 Poplar Camp Beach is a “Swim at Your Own Risk” facility.
 WHEN PRESENT, lifeguards will enforce the rules and regulations of the beach area. All swimmers and floaters must pay
attention to the lifeguard and to their whistle blows. Failure to comply with a lifeguard’s directive will result in expulsion
from the beach. NO EXCEPTIONS.
 Alcoholic beverages and marijuana products in the beach area and parking lot are STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
 Smoking in the beach area of any kind is STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
 No offensive behavior, language or cursing will be tolerated. The beach is a family-oriented facility and all users should
feel welcome. Violation may result in expulsion from the beach. NO EXCEPTIONS.
 Proper attire is REQUIRED. No nudity is permitted. Bathing suits or other garments are required to conceal the genitalia
and buttocks. Females must conceal their breast and buttocks. No thong-like bikinis are allowed. One may not swim solely
in his or her underwear. Children in diapers must wear appropriate outer garments.
 Swimming is STRICTLY PROHIBITED when lightning is present, including a 30 minute period after the last lightning is
heard or observed.
 All children ages eleven (11) years or younger must be accompanied by a parent, a guardian, or a responsible person eighteen (18) years of age or older.
 Parents or guardians must keep children six years of age or younger within an arm’s length while the child is in the water.
 Glass bottles are STRICTLY PROHIBITED in the beach and parking lot area. NO LITTERING.
 No one under the influence of alcohol or drugs is allowed in the water. NO EXCEPTIONS.
 Swimmers and floaters must remain within the designated and buoyed swim area.
 All swimmers, floaters and waders must leave the water promptly when directed by lifeguard to do so.
 Jumping, diving, or flipping into lake from someone’s shoulders, hands, or a raft is STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
 No dangerous behaviors in swimming area, such as: excessive dunking, “piggyback” wrestling, throwing sand, throwing
mud, throwing rocks, or throwing each other. NO EXCEPTIONS.
 Do not feed wildlife, such as fish, turtles, or snakes. Respect all wild animals as we also share the lake with them.
 Sand castles, holes, etc. should be filled in prior to leaving the beach.
 No fishing of any kind into the buoyed swim area from boats or fishing from beach area. NO EXCEPTIONS.
 Pets, other than registered service animals, are NOT PERMITTED in the beach area or parking lot.
 Team sports (activities) on land at the beach or in the swim area are prohibited.
 Please do not litter!