Sites & Rates
46 total sites · $20 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
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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 (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
Patrica E
VerifiedOctober 3, 2024 • Stayed at: 41, Loop: Spillway
The site overall is ok, a little tight to back into, we own a 37 ft fifth wheel. My main complaint is the trees need to be trimmed if you have a taller camper (like I do) the overhead tree limbs WILL most likely damage your roof. I have a vent that is cracked and two long drag marks on my roof membrane, luckily just marks not tears. The website photos need to be updated ASAP.
James P
VerifiedSeptember 13, 2024 • Stayed at: 44, Loop: Spillway
Campground was clean as were the bathrooms. We were very happy with our site. The campground host is super friendly and very helpful.
James P
VerifiedSeptember 13, 2024 • Stayed at: 44, Loop: Spillway
Campground was clean as were the bathrooms. We were very happy with our site. The campground host is super friendly and very helpful.
James P
VerifiedSeptember 13, 2024 • Stayed at: 44, Loop: Spillway
Campground was clean as were the bathrooms. We were very happy with our site. The campground host is super friendly and very helpful.
Chenoa W
VerifiedSeptember 12, 2024 • Stayed at: 28, Loop: NORTH LOOP
Another year at Dam East, one of about 30 or more. We were so happy to get to know Mel and JT this year! They are incrediable Camp Hosts and always willing to go above and beyond to make everyone's stay the best it can be!!! Several times throughout our week long stay they checked in with us to be sure we didn't need anything. The grounds were very well kept and clean, even the playground equipment was clean! It was really nice to see the pine trees planted a couple of years ago doing so well. Thank you so much to the Corp, cleaning crews and Mel & JT for making this another amazing year! We're already planning an early visit next year and haven't even unpacked and inventoried yet.
Chenoa W
VerifiedSeptember 12, 2024 • Stayed at: 28, Loop: NORTH LOOP
Another year at Dam East, one of about 30 or more. We were so happy to get to know Mel and JT this year! They are incrediable Camp Hosts and always willing to go above and beyond to make everyone's stay the best it can be!!! Several times throughout our week long stay they checked in with us to be sure we didn't need anything. The grounds were very well kept and clean, even the playground equipment was clean! It was really nice to see the pine trees planted a couple of years ago doing so well. Thank you so much to the Corp, cleaning crews and Mel & JT for making this another amazing year! We're already planning an early visit next year and haven't even unpacked and inventoried yet.
Chenoa W
VerifiedSeptember 12, 2024 • Stayed at: 28, Loop: NORTH LOOP
Another year at Dam East, one of about 30 or more. We were so happy to get to know Mel and JT this year! They are incrediable Camp Hosts and always willing to go above and beyond to make everyone's stay the best it can be!!! Several times throughout our week long stay they checked in with us to be sure we didn't need anything. The grounds were very well kept and clean, even the playground equipment was clean! It was really nice to see the pine trees planted a couple of years ago doing so well. Thank you so much to the Corp, cleaning crews and Mel & JT for making this another amazing year! We're already planning an early visit next year and haven't even unpacked and inventoried yet.
KENNETH T
VerifiedSeptember 11, 2024 • Stayed at: 24, Loop: NORTH LOOP
This is a very nice and quiet campground. Very walkable on Carlyle Lake. The biggest negative are the bugs in the bathroom & our campsite 24 wasn't picked up well. The latter I blame more on the campers than the park personnel, but still it should be checked after each person leaves. I realize they are attracted & while I was there the daily cleaners came and all the dead bugs disappeared. I do think they shouldn't drape the shower curtains back because they hold moisture and when I released mine to show a bunch of bugs came flying out. Overall, we had a great stay at this campground and enjoy all 4 USACOE parks at Carlyle. They are well maintained.
PEOPLE>>>>QUIT THROWING YOUR BUTTS ON THE GROUND! WHERE DO YOU THINK IT GOES???
KENNETH T
VerifiedSeptember 11, 2024 • Stayed at: 24, Loop: NORTH LOOP
This is a very nice and quiet campground. Very walkable on Carlyle Lake. The biggest negative are the bugs in the bathroom & our campsite 24 wasn't picked up well. The latter I blame more on the campers than the park personnel, but still it should be checked after each person leaves. I realize they are attracted & while I was there the daily cleaners came and all the dead bugs disappeared. I do think they shouldn't drape the shower curtains back because they hold moisture and when I released mine to show a bunch of bugs came flying out. Overall, we had a great stay at this campground and enjoy all 4 USACOE parks at Carlyle. They are well maintained.
PEOPLE>>>>QUIT THROWING YOUR BUTTS ON THE GROUND! WHERE DO YOU THINK IT GOES???
KENNETH T
VerifiedSeptember 11, 2024 • Stayed at: 24, Loop: NORTH LOOP
This is a very nice and quiet campground. Very walkable on Carlyle Lake. The biggest negative are the bugs in the bathroom & our campsite 24 wasn't picked up well. The latter I blame more on the campers than the park personnel, but still it should be checked after each person leaves. I realize they are attracted & while I was there the daily cleaners came and all the dead bugs disappeared. I do think they shouldn't drape the shower curtains back because they hold moisture and when I released mine to show a bunch of bugs came flying out. Overall, we had a great stay at this campground and enjoy all 4 USACOE parks at Carlyle. They are well maintained.
PEOPLE>>>>QUIT THROWING YOUR BUTTS ON THE GROUND! WHERE DO YOU THINK IT GOES???
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: July 11, 2026
