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
Walt S
VerifiedJune 26, 2026 • Stayed at: 8, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
The way the water at the site was a surprise have not experienced that so we were short on hose
KENT F
VerifiedJune 27, 2026 • Stayed at: 7, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Quiet smaller campground. Shower house is spotless.
Ron S
VerifiedJune 29, 2026 • Stayed at: 25, Loop: NORTH LOOP
Trees need trimmed on all roads and pathways. There appears to be no maintenance done.
Jamie C
VerifiedJuly 1, 2026 • Stayed at: 27, Loop: NORTH LOOP
This was my first time staying at McNair camp ground, as usually in the past we've stayed at the McNair group site. This campsite is clean and easy to get too. It's close to the town of Carlyle which has any amenity that you would need should you forget to pack something.
Mike P
VerifiedJuly 2, 2026 • Stayed at: 28, Loop: NORTH LOOP
Beautiful campground with free air-conditioned, hot showers. But I was in a tent. And even though the Recreation.gov app said it was a site where I would be able to use a tent, there was no tent pad, and there were no flat areas adequate to handle. As I walked the campground, I noticed that there were very few sites that could actually accommodate a tent.
Ann C
VerifiedJuly 3, 2026 • Stayed at: 27, Loop: NORTH LOOP
Campground was beautiful, neat as and the host was great!
Mark G
VerifiedJuly 8, 2026 • Stayed at: 11, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Nice quiet campground. Clean bathroom
Joy S
VerifiedJuly 12, 2026 • Stayed at: 30, Loop: NORTH LOOP
A smaller campground with lovely sites and a path to the beach. The camp hosts were great! We had a wonderful stay over the 4th weekend and look forward to coming back!
A. Rafael F
VerifiedJuly 12, 2026 • Stayed at: 6, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
We love this place
Deborah R
VerifiedJuly 15, 2026 • Stayed at: 9, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Campground well kept and shower house very clean. Quiet with shady sites. Hosts pleasant and attentive to new arrivals. Only miss was the availability of a campground map.
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
