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
Neil S
VerifiedApril 25, 2022 • Stayed at: 31, Loop: NORTH LOOP
Good location close to town. Great hiking trail in the campground. Very quiet all other campers were very courteous and nice. Will return again in summer to enjoy the beach.
Robert M
VerifiedApril 25, 2022 • Stayed at: 35, Loop: Spillway
We had not been to this campground before and booked on the road without much/any research. I booked site 35 along the spillway because it sounded interesting however the people who turned up to fish the spillway kinda ruined the experience. They continued to park in a empty campsite next to us and the ranger continued to come and kick them out. One of the cars the ranger made move after a few hours returned and parked in our site. That really was just uncalled for he did move when we said something but im guessing this is a regular problem.
Neil S
VerifiedApril 25, 2022 • Stayed at: 31, Loop: NORTH LOOP
Good location close to town. Great hiking trail in the campground. Very quiet all other campers were very courteous and nice. Will return again in summer to enjoy the beach.
Robert M
VerifiedApril 25, 2022 • Stayed at: 35, Loop: Spillway
We had not been to this campground before and booked on the road without much/any research. I booked site 35 along the spillway because it sounded interesting however the people who turned up to fish the spillway kinda ruined the experience. They continued to park in a empty campsite next to us and the ranger continued to come and kick them out. One of the cars the ranger made move after a few hours returned and parked in our site. That really was just uncalled for he did move when we said something but im guessing this is a regular problem.
Dale N
VerifiedApril 24, 2022 • Stayed at: 17, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Very pleased with the camp site and the camp host was excellent. Can’t wait to go back.
Dale N
VerifiedApril 24, 2022 • Stayed at: 17, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Very pleased with the camp site and the camp host was excellent. Can’t wait to go back.
Dale S
VerifiedApril 23, 2022 • Stayed at: 11, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Nice and peaceful place to stay.
CHRISTINA H
VerifiedApril 23, 2022 • Stayed at: 46, Loop: Spillway
This is a nice campground. It was quite and right on the by the water. It was easy to just walk and go fishing.
Dale S
VerifiedApril 23, 2022 • Stayed at: 11, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Nice and peaceful place to stay.
CHRISTINA H
VerifiedApril 23, 2022 • Stayed at: 46, Loop: Spillway
This is a nice campground. It was quite and right on the by the water. It was easy to just walk and go fishing.
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 3, 2026
