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Laura Teegarden

For a moment, many find it easy to forget they are only six miles from the SIUC campus when taking in the lush green forest and protruding rocky cliffs surrounding the clear waters of Poplar Camp Beach on Cedar Lake.

It's Friday afternoon and the soaring heat has attracted dozens. Sandcastles line the shore as children work together to scoop the sand. Adults and children alike creep along the edge attempting to catch the tiny fish that swim along the shore, while sunbathers float aimlessly on rafts in the deep end enjoying the serene atmosphere.

Though close to the SIUC campus, the beach seems to be unknown among students, said lifeguard Abby Walden, a senior from Springfield studying history education.

"Students never know this is out here," Walden said. "I think we mainly have families."

Ted Mieling, lake supervisor for the city of Carbondale, said about 15,000 people come each summer to enjoy the cool waters of Cedar Lake, one of the cleanest lakes in the area.

"We work hard keeping it clean," Mieling said. "We add sand to it every year, so it's a nice clean beach."

The sandy waterfront leads to a swim and play area, a deep area designated for floats and rafts and a lap lane for swimmers.

There are always Red Cross trained lifeguards on duty to monitor the beach.

"Whenever we're open, we have lifeguards on duty," Mieling said.

The beach can get pretty busy, ranging from 200 to 300 people a day, Walden said.

"It's nothing to have a couple hundred people there on the weekends," Mieling said. "There are times when we are at capacity."

He said the beach is a totally different experience from a pool.

"I've watched kids spend endless hours chasing fish or catching turtles that you aren't going to find in a pool," Mieling said.

Walden said Poplar Camp Beach is her favorite place out of those she has guarded at. "At pools it seems like you have to scream at kids all day," Walden said. "Here, you don't have to. It's laid back."

Lori Michaelson from LaSalle, who said she enjoyed her first visit to the beach, spent much of her time floating around taking in the scenery.

"You look up and all you see is green and the big rocks," she said. "This is so peaceful."

Michaelson, who is visiting her sister from the Anna-Jonesboro area for the family's first annual sister/daughter get-together, came to the beach for relief from the sweltering heat.

"With the heat, there's absolutely nothing else to do unless you are in water," Michaelson said.

She and her family either relaxed and soaked up the sun on rafts in the deep end or splashed around at the edge, trying to catch the small fish and collect tiny rocks to take home as souvenirs to remember their trip to Southern Illinois.

Walden and fellow lifeguard, Ashley Wade, laughed about how some children who actually manage to catch the quick fish try to sneak them out in their sand buckets, which is not allowed.

"It's funny," said Wade, a senior from Gardner studying equine science. "The kids try to leave with the fish."

The beach also has restrooms, picnic tables and a concession stand for beachgoers.

Poplar Camp Beach is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays and 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekends and holidays. However, after August 22, the beach will only be open on weekends.

Admission is $2 and is free for children 4 years old and younger. Bargains passes are available at $15 for 10 admissions and $25 for 20. An adult must accompany children 12 years old and younger.

In addition to Poplar Camp Beach, Cedar Lake also offers a boat ramp that allows access to boats with a 10 horsepower engine or less.

Mieling said canoeists and kayakers flock to the lake because of the beautiful landscape and they appreciate the horsepower limit because it prevents big boats from using the lake.

"There's no development around the lake at all," Mieling said. "It is one of the most picturesque lakes in Illinois."

Reporter Laura Teegarden can be reached at laura_teegarden@dailyegyptian.com