Sites & Rates
46 total sites · $20.00 avg/night
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
Report Incorrect Information
Help us improve by reporting any incorrect amenity information for Dam East - Mcnair Campground.
Rates, Sites & Availability
46 Sites Available
No sites found matching your criteria.
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Site Details
Select a site to view details
46 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews (975)
What Guests Are Saying
Dam East - McNair Campground offers a clean, quiet environment with well-maintained sites and friendly camp hosts, making it a pleasant place for visitors. The campground features paved paths, easy access to fishing, and ample walking and biking trails. However, some concerns include shared water spigots, occasional insect issues, and the need for upgrades to certain facilities, such as the shower house and tree maintenance.
What Guests Are Saying
Dam East - McNair Campground offers a clean, quiet environment with well-maintained sites and friendly camp hosts, making it a pleasant place for visitors. The campground features paved paths, easy access to fishing, and ample walking and biking trails. However, some concerns include shared water spigots, occasional insect issues, and the need for upgrades to certain facilities, such as the shower house and tree maintenance.
Review Summary
Michael P
VerifiedMay 8, 2026 • 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.
KENT B
VerifiedMay 4, 2026 • Stayed at: 16, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
This camping site is nicely located just off the edge of Carlyle Lake with plenty of trees shading the many RV/Trailer pads. The pacer had was very long with plenty of space for our trailer, tow rig and company to drop in. we found the pad to be very level across its width with very little adjustment needed to level the trailer. A water spigot was near by so a single length is hose was enough to add water to the fresh water tank. And the power outlets were great with no wiring concerns. You won’t find a better deal than this site. Hope to return one day and spend more time
KENT B
VerifiedMay 4, 2026 • Stayed at: 16, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
This camping site is nicely located just off the edge of Carlyle Lake with plenty of trees shading the many RV/Trailer pads. The pacer had was very long with plenty of space for our trailer, tow rig and company to drop in. we found the pad to be very level across its width with very little adjustment needed to level the trailer. A water spigot was near by so a single length is hose was enough to add water to the fresh water tank. And the power outlets were great with no wiring concerns. You won’t find a better deal than this site. Hope to return one day and spend more time
Chris I
VerifiedMay 4, 2026 • 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.
Steve W
VerifiedMay 4, 2026 • Stayed at: 17, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Facilities were in excellent shape. On-site staff was helpful and friendly.
Chris I
VerifiedMay 4, 2026 • 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.
Steve W
VerifiedMay 4, 2026 • Stayed at: 17, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Facilities were in excellent shape. On-site staff was helpful and friendly.
Russell H
VerifiedApril 30, 2026 • Stayed at: 15, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
This is a nice campground with lots of walking paths and clear access to a beach/swimming area, which will be nice once the beach is open for swimmers again.
Russell H
VerifiedApril 30, 2026 • Stayed at: 15, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
This is a nice campground with lots of walking paths and clear access to a beach/swimming area, which will be nice once the beach is open for swimmers again.
Russell H
VerifiedApril 30, 2026 • Stayed at: 15, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
This is a nice campground with lots of walking paths and clear access to a beach/swimming area, which will be nice once the beach is open for swimmers again.
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
Nearby Campgrounds
Last updated: July 11, 2026
