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
Jimmie G
VerifiedJuly 17, 2023 • Stayed at: 1, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
The camping was great. Took a while for the ac to work properly in shower house.
Only problem ti me is their is no speed limit
Sighs. Road betwee north and south camp sites are being drove like a hwy. Camp sites no speed limit signs. I guess coe is waiting for some one to get hit?
Jimmie G
VerifiedJuly 17, 2023 • Stayed at: 1, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
The camping was great. Took a while for the ac to work properly in shower house.
Only problem ti me is their is no speed limit
Sighs. Road betwee north and south camp sites are being drove like a hwy. Camp sites no speed limit signs. I guess coe is waiting for some one to get hit?
Timothy T
VerifiedJuly 13, 2023 • Stayed at: 27, Loop: NORTH LOOP
We stayed at Site #27 on the "upper" loop. It was a nice, shaded site that was close to one of the playgrounds, which our two young grandchildren enjoyed. Most of the sites on the upper loop have adequate room, but Site #28 is very close, with its fire ring only about 10 feet from the back of our camper, but luckily for us no one was staying in that site while we were there. It was very quiet at night from 9 PM - 7 AM. There is a nice small beach at the campground which has a very gradual slope so our grandkids could wade out about 30-40 feet without the water being over their heads. The restrooms were clean and air conditioned. Overall, we had a very pleasant stay.
Timothy T
VerifiedJuly 13, 2023 • Stayed at: 27, Loop: NORTH LOOP
We stayed at Site #27 on the "upper" loop. It was a nice, shaded site that was close to one of the playgrounds, which our two young grandchildren enjoyed. Most of the sites on the upper loop have adequate room, but Site #28 is very close, with its fire ring only about 10 feet from the back of our camper, but luckily for us no one was staying in that site while we were there. It was very quiet at night from 9 PM - 7 AM. There is a nice small beach at the campground which has a very gradual slope so our grandkids could wade out about 30-40 feet without the water being over their heads. The restrooms were clean and air conditioned. Overall, we had a very pleasant stay.
Tawnya D
VerifiedJuly 12, 2023 • Stayed at: 31, Loop: NORTH LOOP
Very clean facilities and grounds. Check in and checkout was super easy and quick.
Tawnya D
VerifiedJuly 12, 2023 • Stayed at: 31, Loop: NORTH LOOP
Very clean facilities and grounds. Check in and checkout was super easy and quick.
David H
VerifiedJuly 11, 2023 • Stayed at: 27, Loop: NORTH LOOP
The shower curtains in the shower stalls in the men's showerhouse had mold all over them
David H
VerifiedJuly 11, 2023 • Stayed at: 27, Loop: NORTH LOOP
The shower curtains in the shower stalls in the men's showerhouse had mold all over them
Michael D
VerifiedJune 29, 2023 • Stayed at: 46, Loop: Spillway
A good experience overall. Nice to have water since the spillway loop bathroom has no shower. Bathroom could use more attention.
Michael D
VerifiedJune 29, 2023 • Stayed at: 46, Loop: Spillway
A good experience overall. Nice to have water since the spillway loop bathroom has no shower. Bathroom could use more attention.
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 4, 2026
