About Dam East - Mcnair Campground
Number of accommodations: 46
Nearby Activities & Attractions
Boating
Fishing
Swimming
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Showers
RV Utilities and Hookups
- Dump station on site
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
- Showers
Water Access
- Beach Access
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Rates, Sites & Availability
46 Sites Available
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Site Details
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46 Sites Available
No available sites
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Reviews (644)
What Guests Are Saying
Dam East - McNair Campground is praised for its beautiful setting, clean facilities, and friendly camp host, making it a highly recommended destination for camping enthusiasts. Many visitors appreciate the spacious, well-maintained sites and the campground's proximity to water and recreational activities. However, some concerns were raised about water quality, dead trees, and occasional noise disturbances, though these do not seem to detract significantly from the overall positive experience.
What Guests Are Saying
Dam East - McNair Campground is praised for its beautiful setting, clean facilities, and friendly camp host, making it a highly recommended destination for camping enthusiasts. Many visitors appreciate the spacious, well-maintained sites and the campground's proximity to water and recreational activities. However, some concerns were raised about water quality, dead trees, and occasional noise disturbances, though these do not seem to detract significantly from the overall positive experience.
Review Summary
Gwen G
VerifiedMay 20, 2026 β’ Stayed at: 37, Loop: Spillway
Absolutely beautiful campsite with excellent treatment by the camp host. Our stay was so wonderful and will be back again. This campground is on the top of my list as best ever.
Donald H
VerifiedMay 19, 2026 β’ Stayed at: 39, Loop: Spillway
nice area
Sheila H
VerifiedMay 19, 2026 β’ Stayed at: 30, Loop: NORTH LOOP
Nice Campground. Camp host very nice helpful
Ann R
VerifiedMay 18, 2026 β’ Stayed at: 44, Loop: Spillway
Water coming out of faucet is foamy and has a oder to it
One tree has a limb hanging over site when you back in and was reported last year to rangers to be removed because it rubs the roof hard
Tree limbs falling from dead oak trees almost hit camper, was reported to ranger Jack is his name
Three dead oak trees need to be removed ,big dead limbs hanging over fire pit, has been reported to ranger Jack and he said he would let the higher ups know about the bad trees
Crystal B
VerifiedMay 17, 2026 β’ Stayed at: 11, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Already planned a return trip. Nice & clean. Great set up.
Melody H
VerifiedMay 16, 2026 β’ Stayed at: 37, Loop: Spillway
Nice, very clean park next to the water. Mowed nicely, no weeds. Would definitely recommend!
Pam K
VerifiedMay 11, 2026 β’ Stayed at: 25, Loop: NORTH LOOP
I love McNair campground. I think we picked the wrong time of year to visit. The bugs/no see ums were horrible.
Christine O
VerifiedMay 10, 2026 β’ Stayed at: 13, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Itβs a great clean location with many nice large camping areas
Michael P
VerifiedMay 8, 2026 β’ Stayed at: 26, Loop: NORTH LOOP
The flying insects were the worst we've ever experienced camping. You could hardly open your mouth when outside. They would fly into your ears, and my wife and I each got about a dozen bites, mainly on our heads. I purchased 2 cans of flying insect killer, and would "fog" our campsite every time we went outside. Also had hail and tornado sirens, but realize you can't do anything to help that:). No plans to camp there again in the spring.
Chris I
VerifiedMay 4, 2026 β’ Stayed at: 24, Loop: NORTH LOOP
The shower house is in need of upgrades, the water was cool at its hotest and in need of cleaning. While there 2 different bikes were stolen and learned it was a recurring situation. When leaving the campground, you have to be very careful pulling out into the highway due to limited sight distance caused by a hill in one direction and signage for the campground the other.
Our sight, number 24, was tight pulling in but did provide good views of the sunrise. The bike trail was an excellent ride.
Location Dam East - Mcnair Campground
Address:
801 Lake Road
Carlyle, IL, 62231
United States
From I-57, take Old U.S. Highway 50 west for 22 miles to the Dam East Entrance road. Turn north and continue through the four-way intersection to the McNair Group Area.
The campground is accessible via I-57, with the nearest exit leading to Old U.S. Highway 50, approximately 22 miles to the west.
Latitude & Longitude: 38.6083 / -89.325
Elevation: 136 feet
Policies & Rules
Arrival & departure
Check in time
5PM
Check out time
4PM
General
- Dam East - McNair is 100% reservable, and available for same day reservations.
- Dam East Spillway is now its own loop within McNair (Sites 33-47) and is open year-round.
- Campsites are single capacity; no double capacity or buddy sites are available
- If the Group Area is not reserved, it will be available on a first-come, first-served basis
- The Spillway Loop does not have a shower house, or dump station. Campers are able to use the shower and dumpstation at the entrace of McNair throughout the non-peak season. *Shower House may not be open 7 days/week.
- No personal checks or cash are accepted at this time. Credit/Debit card only.
- Camping No-Show - Camping no-show customers who do not arrive at the campground or group facility by check-out time the day after arrival or does not cancel the reservation by check out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date will be assessed a $20.00 service fee and forfeit their reservation. If the no-show service fee is greater than the reservation amount, the customer will not be charged any additional service fees.
- Cancellation Fees - A $10 service fee is withheld from the refund anytime the customer cancels a camping or day use reservation. Depending on when the cancellation is made, it may be considered a late cancellation and additional fees may be forfeited. A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee.
- Firewood brought into this facility must be purchased, or collected locally due to invasive insects.
- Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.
- Click here for a virtual tour of Carlyle Lake
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Last updated: June 3, 2026
