Available sites
46 total sites
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About Dam East - Mcnair Campground
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
Rates, Sites & Availability
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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 (1040)
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
Bryan R
VerifiedJuly 31, 2026 • Stayed at: 17, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Our first time at Carlyle lake. We loved everything about our stay
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.
Jeff S
VerifiedJuly 23, 2026 • Stayed at: 33, Loop: Spillway
Smelled bad
Janet D
VerifiedJuly 21, 2026 • Stayed at: 35, Loop: Spillway
This campground is always a very nice location. The campground hosts are the best. The walking paths are great for biking. Our grandkids love being able to walk down the bank to fish.
Jason B
VerifiedJuly 20, 2026 • Stayed at: 28, Loop: NORTH LOOP
Very quiet and peaceful location with lots of space between sites. Easy to access the campgrounds, and essential amenities near by.
Shirley D
VerifiedJuly 16, 2026 • Stayed at: 35, Loop: Spillway
I had a pull through spot on the spillway next to the river. Lots of space between camp sites. Pathed walking path between space and river. Walk takes you about two miles down to the General Dale walking bridge to cross the Kaskaskia. And then, a up the steps to cross over at the dam. With the walking path your spot is not very private. I had mixed feelings about that. Public space nearby, I did hear talking during the night…so, I felt like the public was coming there to fish???? I felt safe though. Park host came by to chat. Very nice area.
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.
A. Rafael F
VerifiedJuly 12, 2026 • Stayed at: 6, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
We love this place
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!
Mark G
VerifiedJuly 8, 2026 • Stayed at: 11, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Nice quiet campground. Clean bathroom
Location & Directions for Dam East - Mcnair Campground
801 Lake Road, Carlyle, IL 62231 United States
Elevation: 136 ft
Getting There
From I-57, take Old U.S. Highway 50 west for 22 mi to the Dam East Entrance road. Turn north and continue through the four-way intersection to the McNair Group Area.
Highway access
The campground is accessible via I-57, with the nearest exit leading to Old U.S. Highway 50, approximately 22 miles to the west.
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: October 20, 2026
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Population: 2,980
Elevation: 456 ft
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