OutReserve

Dam East - Mcnair Campground

McNair Group Area shelter
Kaskaskia River Trail
McNair-East Spillway Loop campsites
McNair Campground Map
East Spillway Loop Map

Featured amenities

Showers

About Dam East - Mcnair Campground

Dam East-McNair Campground is situated on the southern shore of Carlyle Lake, a prime getaway for city-dwellers and families. Located 50 miles east of St. Louis, the area offers the peaceful retreat of a small town combined with the grandeur of Illinois' largest man-made lake.

Number of accommodations: 46

Nearby Activities & Attractions

Boating

Fishing

Swimming

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Showers
RV Utilities and Hookups

RV Utilities and Hookups

  • Dump station on site
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Potable Water
  • Showers
Water Access

Water Access

  • Beach Access
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

46 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 1, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 10, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 11, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 12, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 13, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 14, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 15, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 16, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 17, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 18, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 19, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 2, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 20, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 21, Loop: NORTH LOOP
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 22, Loop: NORTH LOOP
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 23, Loop: NORTH LOOP
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 24, Loop: NORTH LOOP
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 25, Loop: NORTH LOOP
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 26, Loop: NORTH LOOP
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 27, Loop: NORTH LOOP
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 28, Loop: NORTH LOOP
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 29, Loop: NORTH LOOP
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 3, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 30, Loop: NORTH LOOP
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 31, Loop: NORTH LOOP
Electric Only
Price not available
33, Loop: Spillway
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
34, Loop: Spillway
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
35, Loop: Spillway
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
36, Loop: Spillway
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
37, Loop: Spillway
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
38, Loop: Spillway
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
39, Loop: Spillway
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 4, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Water & Electric
Price not available
40, Loop: Spillway
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
41, Loop: Spillway
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
42, Loop: Spillway
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
43, Loop: Spillway
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
44, Loop: Spillway
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
45, Loop: Spillway
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
46, Loop: Spillway
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
47, Loop: Spillway
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 5, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 6, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 7, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 8, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 9, Loop: SOUTH LOOP
Water & Electric
Price not available

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.

Review Summary

4.5
644 reviews
5
69.4%
447
4
19.4%
125
3
5.4%
35
2
3.6%
23
1
2.2%
14

Robert S

Verified

December 8, 2021 Stayed at: 39, Loop: Spillway

5

Very clean. Easy back up to pad. Nice location

Robert S

Verified

December 8, 2021 Stayed at: 39, Loop: Spillway

5

Very clean. Easy back up to pad. Nice location

Garth C

Verified

December 6, 2021 Stayed at: 37, Loop: Spillway

1

Got there late in the day. Went 30 miles out of my way. The sign there said the facility closed November One. I reserved and arrived on the 27th of November. Very disappointing.

Garth C

Verified

December 6, 2021 Stayed at: 37, Loop: Spillway

1

Got there late in the day. Went 30 miles out of my way. The sign there said the facility closed November One. I reserved and arrived on the 27th of November. Very disappointing.

Christy H

Verified

December 5, 2021 Stayed at: 43, Loop: Spillway

5

Quiet and relaxing. There is a playground for the kids and the walking path is right there.

Christy H

Verified

December 5, 2021 Stayed at: 43, Loop: Spillway

5

Quiet and relaxing. There is a playground for the kids and the walking path is right there.

Debra G

Verified

November 29, 2021 Stayed at: 37, Loop: Spillway

5

Enjoyed riding the bike path every day! We had a great view of the river. The park is very well maintained!

Debra G

Verified

November 29, 2021 Stayed at: 37, Loop: Spillway

5

Enjoyed riding the bike path every day! We had a great view of the river. The park is very well maintained!

Eva R

Verified

November 22, 2021 Stayed at: 34, Loop: Spillway

5

Just a beautiful place to camp !

Eva R

Verified

November 22, 2021 Stayed at: 34, Loop: Spillway

5

Just a beautiful place to camp !

Location Dam East - Mcnair Campground

Address:
801 Lake Road
Carlyle, IL, 62231
United States

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.

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

Nearby destinations


Last updated: June 3, 2026

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