Lake of Egypt

Lake of Egypt is a hidden gem nestled in Southern Illinois, just south of Marion. 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. The lake was created in 1962 when the Southern Illinois Power Cooperative dammed the south fork of the Saline River. While its primary purpose is to cool the cooperative’s power plant, the lake’s beauty is undeniable.

Boating, fishing, and swimming are popular activities at Lake of Egypt. Three marinas buzz with boats from dawn to dusk during the summer. If you seek tranquility, explore the quiet inlets for bluegill, bass, catfish, and crappie fishing. And why the name “Lake of Egypt”? Legend has it that a Baptist missionary named John Badgley visited Southern Illinois in 1799, stood on a bluff, and likened the river valley to the fertile Egyptian lands of Goshen from the Book of Genesis. Thus, Southern Illinois became known as “Little Egypt,” and local towns adopted Egyptian-themed names like Cairo, Thebes, and Karnak.