Sites & Rates
Average nightly rates46 total sites · $20 avg/night
RV Sites
31 sites
$20/night
average
Tent Sites
15 sites
$20/night
average
About Dam East - Mcnair Campground
Number of accommodations: 46
Activities & Attractions
Nearby
Boating
Fishing
Swimming
Year-round
Fishing
Spring
Boating
Summer
Boating
Swimming
Fall
Boating
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
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 (1013)
What Guests Are Saying
Dam East - McNair Campground offers a quiet and clean environment, conveniently located just five minutes from town with ample amenities. Campers appreciate the spacious sites, well-kept facilities, and friendly camp hosts. However, some reviews mention issues with water quality, occasional maintenance concerns, and seasonal insect problems. Overall, many guests express a desire to return for future visits.
What Guests Are Saying
Dam East - McNair Campground offers a quiet and clean environment, conveniently located just five minutes from town with ample amenities. Campers appreciate the spacious sites, well-kept facilities, and friendly camp hosts. However, some reviews mention issues with water quality, occasional maintenance concerns, and seasonal insect problems. Overall, many guests express a desire to return for future visits.
Review Summary
John P
VerifiedAugust 23, 2026 • Stayed at: 8, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Great area. Quiet spot, just far enough away from the bustle of the marina. Just 5 minutes from town. Stayed th-sun in August. Lots of nearby amenities. Town was clean and highly recommend dough boys pizza.
Site details...asphalt, electric tested good, water required sharing spigot with neighbor, good pressure and was clear from the start. Site level was a bit low to the camp side. 2x6 or less would fix level issues.
John P
VerifiedAugust 23, 2026 • Stayed at: 10, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Great area. Quiet spot, just far enough away from the bustle of the marina. Just 5 minutes from town. Stayed th-sun in August. Lots of nearby amenities. Town was clean and highly recommend dough boys pizza. Rented 2 spots to camp with friends.
Site details...asphalt, electric tested good, water required sharing spigot with neighbor, good pressure and was clear from the start. Site level was a bit low to the camp side. 2x6 or less would fix level issues.
Kimberly M
VerifiedAugust 22, 2026 • Stayed at: 23, Loop: NORTH LOOP
We really enjoy the upper loop of this campground overlooking the Lake. Water hookups are not too far to fill the tank, and the dump station is very convenient on the way out of the campground. Bath house is very clean, but my husband was not able to get hot water in the shower.
Also we were there in April and the midges were crazy. But 100% we would stay here again.
Begreen4u@ymail.com M
VerifiedAugust 18, 2026 • Stayed at: 21, Loop: NORTH LOOP
Nice to be so close to the water. Shower house was clean and everyone was friendly.
Margie H
VerifiedAugust 16, 2026 • Stayed at: 22, Loop: NORTH LOOP
Nice, clean, quiet campground
Timothy G
VerifiedAugust 12, 2026 • Stayed at: 4, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Nice campground but the camp host was not seen all weekend. We had trouble with the 30 amp plug in and had to drive in to Walmart and buy an adapter to be able to plug into the 50 amp plug. Next day we seen a ranger that had someone come out and fix it. Would’ve been nice to have a host present for problems! The Ranger said they’ve had complaints about them never being there, but doesn’t seem like anyone is doing anything about it! Needs to be addressed ASAP!
Janet S
VerifiedAugust 2, 2026 • Stayed at: 45, Loop: Spillway
Awesome place
Bryan R
VerifiedJuly 31, 2026 • Stayed at: 17, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Our first time at Carlyle lake. We loved everything about our stay
Jeff S
VerifiedJuly 23, 2026 • Stayed at: 33, Loop: Spillway
Smelled bad
Sydney L
VerifiedJuly 23, 2026 • Stayed at: 29, Loop: NORTH LOOP
We absolutely loved this place! So much so we ended up staying an extra night. We definitely plan to make this our regular camping spot.
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.
Elevation: 136 feet
2.6 mi drive to downtown Carlyle (about 6 min)
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: September 2, 2026
